International Education Week (17–21 November) is a celebration of the power of global learning and cross-cultural exchange in our schools. For us at Rethink Food, it’s also a chance to highlight how health equity and global citizenship go hand-in-hand.
Why International Education Matters for Food Justice
In a world that is more connected than ever, the challenges of food poverty, climate change, and unequal access to nutrition don’t stop at borders. Through international education, students learn not just facts, but responsibility, responsibility to understand systems, to act, and to advocate.
By embedding global perspectives into school life, we foster young people who don’t just care about their own communities, but who also see food security, sustainability, and social justice as global issues. When we think about health equity, that mindset shift is critical.
What We’re Encouraging Schools to Do During IEW
- Use British Council resources to explore global themes such as zero hunger or sustainable development in classroom lessons.
- Develop school-to-school partnerships. IEW is a great moment to begin or deepen exchanges with partner schools abroad.
- Leverage the International School Award as a way to formalise and grow your school’s international work.
How Rethink Food Links In
We’re inspired by how international education can mobilise action: connecting students to problems like food waste, installations of community pantries, and cross-border food-rescue initiatives. We believe that raising global citizens helps build a healthier, more equitable future, for everyone.
“When we bring an international lens to food justice, we don’t just change food system, we change mindsets. IEW reminds us that health-equity is a global conversation, and we’re so proud to play our part,” says Nathan Atkinson, co-founder of Rethink Food.
