Mitakuye Oyasin

We are all related.

We always have been. We always will be.

These profound words of the Lakota people are the foundation for all of the work of the GLOBAL EDUCATION CENTER.

OUR MISSION

To use the arts of diverse cultures

To highlight the commonalities of all people

To promote global awareness and concern

To develop empathy, understanding and respect for the individual and for all of humanity

To support the Center’s belief that fairness and justice are basic human rights for all

OUR PURPOSE

To embrace the oneness of all people through multicultural arts programming that aids in dispelling myths, dismantling stereotypes, unlearning biases and alleviating fears

To educate and train children, families, artists, teachers, administrators and community personnel in anti-bias/multicultural education

To disseminate information, stimulate dialogue and provide a safe haven for cultural exploration

To advocate for using the arts to connect children with the inherent beauty of and deserved respect for cultures that might be different from their own

To connect a diverse array of artists with schools and community organizations

To help empower artists through learning, teaching and performance opportunities

To establish the Center as a national model for other communities

OUR HISTORY

GLOBAL EDUCATION CENTER was founded in 1996 and registered as a nonprofit in 1997 by director Ellen Gilbert, an anti-bias, multicultural education specialist, based on her school outreach work begun in 1982. In her work as an administrator, a teacher and a parent volunteer, Ellen saw a need for developing intercultural understanding and respect and for exploring ways in which to create classrooms that are safe havens for all of our children. With encouragement from educators throughout the area, she partnered with a diverse pool of artists to create lively programming that beckons all of the senses to experience the richness and beauty of different cultures, offering creative solutions to confront cultural and religious intolerance, stereotypes, misinformation, lack of information and the many negative “isms” of American society which make harmonious living difficult for many people.