Who We Are
We believe our education system can and should empower young people to act as global citizens, able and committed to shaping a just and sustainable future for all, locally and globally. We provide high-quality teaching and learning experiences and materials to support this.
Our Values
Our core values are the guiding principles that shape our work and they support our training which transforms teaching and learning. These values serve as the foundation for everything we do.
Justice
We believe that high-quality learning in Global Citizenship can bring about the reparation of past and present injustices and that our future as a species depends on this.
Empathy
We believe that the ability to stand in solidarity and imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes can be both caught and taught.
Integrity
We strive for honesty, transparency and accountability in everything we do as an organisation and in partnership with others.
Collaboration
We believe that the positive shifts needed for our world can only happen through authentic reciprocal partnership working.
Empowerment
We believe that education should deepen our sense of agency to exercise our power as local and global citizens.
Sustainability
We believe that it is possible for humanity to thrive without the exploitation of people or the planet and strive to reflect this in our practice and decision-making processes.
Our Team
Faith Bateman
Education Lead: Professional Learning (Secondary)
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Faith has over 16 years of experience as a Social Subjects teacher, during which she encouraged young people to engage with the world around them. For the past 8 years, she has been Subject Leader of Modern Studies, where she led the development of the curriculum
Faith was also seconded to the West Partnership, a Regional Improvement Collaborative, where she worked as a Development Officer. A highlight of Faith’s career is her development of the SAMEE award-winning My Diverse Scotland Programme, which was designed to build racial literacy in children and young people.
Faith loves working with young people to help them build the skills they need to navigate our ever-changing world. She is passionate about empowering students to think critically, adapt to new challenges, and develop a strong sense of global citizenship. She is delighted to be working at WOSDEC so she can continue this important work.
Outside work, Faith is happiest spending time with her family and cooking delicious food!
Diana Firth
Education Lead: Professional Learning (Primary)
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As a teacher, WOSDEC’s courses inspired Diana in a way that no other training had before. She discovered that Global Citizenship completely aligned with her sense of purpose in her personal activism life – her aspirations for humanity and our planet then became her aspirations for Education.
In 2009 Diana left the classroom to start her dream job working with WOSDEC, while also supporting Glasgow City Council as Leader of Learning in Global Citizenship. Since working full time for WOSDEC she is particularly proud of our Global Storylines drama-based work with schools. When not working she is happiest singing, dancing, wild swimming or climbing mountains!
Josephine McLaughlin
Organisation Lead: Strategy, Fundraising and Advocacy
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Organisation Lead: Strategy, Fundraising and Advocacy
Josephine is delighted to be working for WoSDEC as it fits nicely with her passion for global learning. For many years, Josephine worked overseas and witnessed first hand the value of understanding our interconnectedness and opening our minds to different people and cultures. Her skillset includes organisational development and strategic thinking.
Weekends are spent outdoors in the countryside or drowning in a sea of colourful paints, fabrics and textiles as my sewing machines groans and her husband moans!
Humaira Rizwan
Administration and Finance Assistant
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Humaira wanted to do something meaningful and fulfilling so she decided to apply for a role at WOSDEC. She has a background in doing voluntary work with an organisation that empowers young Muslim women. This aligns with WOSDEC's values, making her a perfect fit for the team.
In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and going for a meal and socialising with family and friends.
Carlie Wilson
Communications and Administration Lead
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Communications and Administration Carlie is excited to be a part of WOSDEC supporting the important work they do in Global Citizenship Education. Her passion lies in activism, making this the perfect role for her.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading in the park and collaging.
Connie Smillie
Finance Lead
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Prior to joining WOSDEC in 2020 Connie worked for the Department for International Development, providing administrative support to various projects working to improve the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalised around the world. Learning about the work of the Development Education Centres across Scotland, in particular WOSDEC, has shown Connie the real importance of global citizenship in opening up the world to younger generations.
In her free time, Connie runs a community group in East Kilbride for young adults with disabilities.
Our Trustees
Our Trustees have a true passion for WOSDEC’s mission. They bring huge value to our organisation through their expertise in International Development, Education, Finance, Public Relations and Strategic Communications.
Nuzhat Uthmami
WOSDEC Trustee
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Nuzhat has been on the Board of Trustees of WoSDEC for a number of years. She is a Lecturer in Primary Education at the University of Stirling having had experience of teaching at all stages of the early years and primary school sector, as well as experience as a Principle Teacher. She is the founder of Global Citizenship Education in Scotland, a resource promoting equality-based education and learning for sustainability. Further, Nuzhat is the co-chair of the Scottish Government’s Diversity in the Teaching Profession and Education Workforce and a board member of the Antiracism Education Programme.
Cathy Begley
WOSDEC Trustee
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Cathy has had a long career in education including as a Modern Studies teacher, a national curriculum developer and as a participation officer for Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. All of these experiences have strengthened her continued desire to help make sure all children and young people can access high quality global citizenship education. This can help them develop and grow into socially responsible and culturally aware citizens who know and understand about their rights and the rights of others. She is delighted to be supporting WoSDEC in this important work.
Aqeel Ahmed
Co-Chair of WOSDEC Board
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Aqeel is extremely passionate about ensuring young people can learn about how they can make the world a better place and that they are at the heart of WOSDEC’s work. As a youth volunteer; with experience in youth politics and government Aqeel makes a positive contribution to the fantastic work of WOSDEC.
When Aqeel is not busy at work he loves to bake, cycle and go on train journeys.
Carol Clarke
Treasurer of WOSDEC Board
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Carol is the most passionate and committed Global Citizen that WOSDEC knows! She has campaigned tirelessly on many issues close to her heart, especially asylum, fair trade and climate issues. Now retired, in her working life she spent many years with Justice and Peace Scotland, as well as with WOSDEC as our previous finance officer.
Maya Ward
Secretary of WOSDEC Board
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Maya is a psychology graduate currently working in early years, with hope of pursuing educational psychology. She truly believe in the power of education to inform and empower young people to make positive change. Her passion for Global citizenship was sparked at university where she was able to take modules in Global goals and education and she was keen to get involved with organisations working towards these goals. The education and tools that WOSDEC provide are so valuable and she feels so honoured to have joined the board of such a wonderful organisation.
Peter Saville
WOSDEC Trustee
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Peter is a Secondary school English teacher who has worked in Glasgow, Stirlingshire and the Borders. He enjoys engaging pupils in discussion and debate on global issues. Peter’s professional interests are around curriculum design and modernisation. He often questions what great things schools will do in the future.
Claire Dunphy
WOSDEC Trustee
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Claire’s lifelong passion for global citizenship and social justice was sparked during her childhood, as her family actively participated in movements like CND marches and the anti-apartheid movement. Today, Claire continues this legacy by advocating for a Nelson Mandela statue in Glasgow through the Nelson Mandela Memorial Foundation. Inspired by her grandfather’s dedication to justice, Claire is a teacher and school leader committed to empowering young people to make a positive impact on the world. Claire has worked with WOSDEC for over ten years and she is thrilled to join its board.
Kirsty White
Vice Chair of WOSDEC Board
Clare Harker
Co-Chair of WOSDEC Board
Rukhsana Akhtar
WOSDEC Trustee
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Rukhsana was brought up in a household where both parents were activists for justice, peace and equality. This influenced her thinking and as both a primary principle/teacher and an associate tutor at Glasgow University, Rukhsana became passionate about nurturing informed, responsible global citizens at every stage of education. Volunteering with WOSDEC aligns closely with her commitment to embedding global citizenship, sustainability, and critical thinking into teaching and learning. Through her classroom practice and work in higher education, she has seen how powerful it is when learners engage with real-world issues in meaningful, age-appropriate ways. She is eager to contribute her experience in curriculum development, teacher support, and learner engagement to help strengthen education for sustainable development and global citizenship across schools and training settings.
While enjoying her newly found freedom through retirement she stays active through reading, travelling, family activities and volunteering
