Staff

Our Professional Learning team are qualified teachers and community educators with many years of experience of working in Scottish education. We understand the pressures teachers are under in the ever-evolving world of education.

Amal Azzudin
 Education Lead: Youth and Communities

Amal has a background in community development and human rights. She became an activist in the early 2000s when she, along with a group of her school mates, campaigned against the detention and deportation of asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland. They formed the Glasgow Girls campaign. Amal and the Glasgow Girls played a significant role raising awareness about issues related to immigration detention and were instrumental in preventing the deportation of one of their school friends.
 
The Glasgow Girls story has been the subject of two BBC documentaries, a stage musical and a BBC Three drama.
 
Amal has worked in the mental health field for 11 years, raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing using the arts within various communities. 
 
Amal is passionate about inspiring positive change through education which is why she is delighted to be working for WOSDEC. 

Faith Bateman
 Education Lead - Professional Learning (Secondary)

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 and Relationships

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!

Kim McCauley
 Education Lead: Curriculum and Resources

Kim joined WOSDEC in 2014 after being inspired by the high quality professional learning she undertook with them as a class teacher. Given the world we’re living in, Kim believes that developing the skills and practice of Global Citizenship Education is essential, for both teachers and learners. The innovative and inspirational practice she gets to be part of at WOSDEC continually motivates me, both as a practising teacher, and in spreading the word to teaching colleagues across Scotland. 

When Kim is not working, she enjoys cycling and drumming – just not at the same time!

Josephine McLaughlin
 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! 

Connie Smillie
 Finance Lead

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.

Carolyn Wills
 Education Lead: Strategic Engagement and Partnerships

Carolyn believes wholeheartedly in the transformative opportunity that  education brings to affect change in the lives of individuals and communities. Having worked as a primary school teacher in the east end of Glasgow before joining WOSDEC over 6 years ago, Carolyn has been privileged to bring these two passions together. She is constantly inspired by individuals committed to learn, question, explore and take action that challenges themselves and those around them to bring about real change.

Carolyn loves to chat over good coffee, eat good food and take a run through the park with a friend.

Carlie Wilson
 Communications and Administration Lead

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. 

 

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 Uthmani
 Co-Chair of WOSDEC Board

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
 Co-Chair of WOSDEC Board

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
 Vice Chair of WOSDEC Board

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

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

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.  

Kirsty White
 WOSDEC Trustee

Kirsty was inspired to get involved in non-profits through fundraising and the arts, as part of a local arts and education festival to bring communities together. Through fundraising for a human rights charity, Kirsty developed a breadth of fundraising skills, working closely with communities, companies and trusts. Kirsty is passionate about sharing stories to connect with the wider community to bring support for programmes that help people build a better life. 

In her free time she enjoys cooking, art, and time at our beautiful beaches.

Peter Savill

WOSDEC Trustee

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

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 ten years and she is thrilled to join its board.

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