02 Mar 2020
Young people in India are proactively taking action to tackle global issues such as climate change and say they want to pursue careers where they can make a difference, according to new research from Cambridge International.
Over 11,000 students globally, aged 13 to 19 took part in Cambridge International’s first ever Global Perspectives Survey and shared their views on global issues; how they learn about them; and how their awareness of these issues might impact on their future career choices. Out of these 11,000 students, around 2000 respondents are from India.
26% of Indian students aged 13-19 believe climate change is the single biggest issue facing the world today. Pollution came second in the poll and poverty & economic equality came third.
The views of Indian students aligned with their counterparts around the world with a quarter (26%) of all the students saying they felt climate change was the biggest global issue facing the world today. It topped the poll in three quarters of countries surveyed. Globally, two thirds of students surveyed also believe that major issues, like climate change and poverty and economic equality, will be worse by 2030.
The research found that Indian students are very proactive when it comes to tackling global issues – 93% of said they take some form of individual action. More than half (54%) of Indian students do this by sharing knowledge with family and friends in order to raise awareness; 45% make changes to their own lifestyle; and one in 5 Indian students give money to charities or sign petitions campaigning for change.
Students in India are also keen to pursue a career where they can make a positive contribution to solving global issues (79% said this). Further, 78% will consider what potential employers’ attitudes are to key global issues when applying for jobs in the future.
The poll also revealed there is a clear desire from students to learn about global issues in school, with 97% of Indian students agreeing that it is important to do so. 95% of Indian students also agree that it is important to discuss global issues at school.
Mahesh Srivastava, Regional Director – South Asia, Cambridge International, said, “In a world that is constantly evolving with some huge global challenges ahead, we feel that it is even more important that students not only engage with key global issues, but develop the skills to research, discuss and evaluate the facts, and work with others to understand different perspectives around the world. It is important that they develop transferable skills and are aware about interdependence, globalization, cultural diversity, global issues and sustainable future to be able to succeed in life.
Cambridge Global Perspectives™ equips students with the essential skills they need for further study at university and for the future world of work. We look forward to giving many more schools and students the opportunity to learn about this unique programme during Cambridge Global Perspectives Week.”
Cambridge Global Perspectives is a unique, transformational programme that helps students at every stage of school education develop outstanding transferable skills, including critical thinking, research and collaboration. This innovative and stimulating skills-based programme places academic study in a practical, real-world context.
Students around the world are also motivated to make a difference and help tackle significant global issues. 92% said they take individual action to tackle their top issue of concern and four out of five students globally said they are keen to pursue a career where they can make a difference.
The survey was conducted leading up to Cambridge Global Perspectives Week, which runs from 1-7 March 2020.