Global Citizens for Sustainable Development is not an academic institution but as part of its goal for 2020 to start its own University of Global Citizens (UGC), GCSD presently helps to facilitate and design progams as per the need of various Indian and overseas academic Institutes. Students get to learn and discuss with some of the most distinguished professors from Bangalore and Universities abroad, in addition to those who impart technical know-how. Students get an opportunity to interact with social activists, journalists, artists and other professionals. Moreover, GCSD through all such programs is interested to connect the theory taught in school to the application used in the world.

1. WE BUILD 2012 - Summer Study Abroad Program in Bangalore,India

This four-week program is designed as a co-curricular service-learning model, as it connects the theory taught in the school to the application used in the world. It will not only give international exposure to students but also engage them through a labor intensive experience by building houses for the poor communities. The program will also introduce them to the Indian society and culture by focusing on the three areas - culture, peace and development. It will address the whole issue of Global Citizenship and engage students in action addressing issues related to children’s rights to education and poverty alleviation. 

The students will also engage in a series of action-oriented projects with children and possibly with the tribal and rural communities:

- Facilitate painting, singing and photography classes

- Teach soccer, volleyball, jump rope and other recreational games

- Cook and serve food to children

- Facilitate and participate in discussion forums at the Global Citizens Youth Assembly 2012

- Teach English, Math and other subjects to the children

Course Program - Credits offered by University at Albany (USA) and/or St. Joseph's College (India) and GCSD.

All American students interested to enroll in this program for 4 academic credits through our partner, Univeristy at Albany (NY,USA), please CLICK here or contact UAlbany by email: studyabroad@albany.edu for any further queries.

Newspaper articles on WE BUILD 2011 program:

The Times of India - Bangalore - August 11, 2011

The New Indian Express - Bangalore - August 8, 2011

Indian Culture, Development Issues and Experiential Learning (4 Credit Program)

MODULE 1: Indian Life and Culture (1 Credit / 16 hours) - Contemporary India - Political and Economical Challenges in India - Caste System in India

MODULE 2: Peace, Justice and Social Movements (1 Credit/ 16 hours) - Housing Reforms and Social Justice Movements in India - Children’s Rights in India - Education as an antidote to Poverty

MODULE 3: Experiential Learning (2 Credit / 32 hours) - Build Homes for the poor - Teach Children - falcilitate workshops and dislcussions at the Global Citizens Youth Assembly 2012

WE BUILD 2012 is also a SUMMER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM for those students or volunteers not interested in academic credits but are looking for an opportunity to do something meaningful. Thus, the volunteers have an option of selecting for this program either for:

2 weeks (Program dates 29th July - 11th August 2012) - During this two week volunteers will be involved mostly for the BUILD project, building houses in rural Bangalore.

4 weeks (Program dates 18th July - 18th August 2012) - During this four week volunteers will be involved with both rural and urban program, building houses, teaching children, attending the World Youth Assembly 2011 and many more opportunities for Indian cultural immersion.

For more details send us an email: webuild@globalcitizens.org.in or gcsdwebuild@gmail.com

Download Application form for WE BUILD 2011

Download Scholarship form for WE BUILD 2011

Download e-brochure of WE BUILD 2012

2. J.F. Oberlin University

In partnership with J.F. Oberlin University, Japan, GCSD helps facilitate a two week two credit program focussed on the theme: Gender, Poverty and Development. This program is also a result of the Japan-India Forum that was launched in 2008 and thus provides platform for young students and professional to share, learn and understand each other cultures.

3. National University of Singapore (NUS) Business Practicum

In partnership with Centre for Social Entrepreneurship & Philianthropy in National University of Singapore, GCSD helps Business students from NUS to carry out for their final year consulting Business Practicum in India. The students in the past have been guided and mentored by GCSD to work on the Migrant Workers Children's program in Bangalore. The students have visited India twice for a period of 10 days each visit in a year to do their research and propose a sustainable source of income for one of our partner organizations working with migrant workers children. For this Practicum, the students also receive 4 credit at the end of their project.

(left)Students from NUS, (right) Executive Director of GCSD with staff at NUS and Alumni of NUS in Singapore

Please also read the Testimonial from the National University of Singapore 

4. GCSD Climate Change - One Credit Program (30 hours) for Colleges in Bangalore, India

The students will be guided and evaluated by a team of experts organised by Global Citizens for Sustainable Development for this course.We need a minimum of 15 students and maximum of 30 students to run course. All those interested do contact us for further details and dates.