Davenant International
Encyclopedia
Davenant International is the innovative student forum on global issues launched by the students of Davenant Foundation School
in Loughton, Essex
, England
. This new forum was launched in September 2005 and received widespread media coverage. Davenant Foundation School was founded in 1680 by the Reverend Ralph Davenant
. It is a Christian Ecumenical School. Ralph Davenant (Rector of the parish of St. Mary Matfellon) was passionate about social justice, he had a heart for the poor, hence the fact that he left everything he had to the poor in Whitechapel
in the East End of London. The Rector bequeathed a handsome legacy for the education of forty boys and thirty girls of the parish in 'reading, writing and the casting of accounts.' You didn't have to go far to come across the poor in the time of Ralph Davenant — the almshouses were situated close by in Whitechapel Road
.
Davenant International was formed against a backdrop of increased awareness and concern for social justice
and a stand against world poverty. In the summer of 2005 a massive campaign, 'Make Poverty History' captured the imagination of young people not only in the United Kingdom — and even in Loughton in Essex — but right across the world. Bob Geldof
launched a series of music concerts during the G8 Summit to drive home the message that people wanted to eradicate poverty. It struck a chord with Davenant students who were moved by statistics like 15,000 children die each day from hunger and starvation.
The launching of Davenant International was so much in keeping with the ideas and the personal Christian ethos of the founder of the school, Ralph Davenant.
Davenant International, now entering its fifth year is headed by Mr Lennox Morris-Whitehead, a science teacher at Davenant Foundation School. He has now taken lead role and has attracted great new talents among the students and many have had great new ideas for fundraising and charity work.
There are many new plans in the pipe line for the global issues forum — such as a visit to parliament early next year, a trip to the EU Conference, and most importantly, a group of students from D.I. will be travelling to New York for their UN Summit, and will submit a paper on Global Warming.
, Aids
, The Tsunami
Disaster, Children of Chernobyl
seriously.
'We live in one world. What we do affects others, and what others do affects us, as never before. To recognise that we are all members of a world community and that we all have responsibilities to each other is not romantic rhetoric, but modern economic and social reality.'
'The school curriculum should contribute to the development of pupils' sense of identity through knowledge and understanding of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural heritages of Britain's diverse society and of the local, national....and global dimensions of their lives....the schools curriculum should...secure their commitment to sustainable development at a personal local,national and global level.'
Davenant International has been exploring the global dimension to the curriculum — through eight concepts:
Dignitaries from around the world sent messages of support when Davenant International was launched at Davenant Foundation School in September 2005.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sent her best wishes to all those present for a successful and enjoyable event. The former President of South Africa
, Nelson Mandela
also sent his warm greetings to Davenant students. Former British Prime Minister, John Major
, writing to the students in Loughton hoped that they would take these issues seriously.
The Prime Minister
of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair
in a special message to Davenant students said: 'I am delighted to hear about the launch of 'Davenant International'. The forum will provide an opportunity for pupils to debate and discuss a range of global issues in a lively and meaningful way. It is essential that all young people be given the opportunity to learn about the global community of which they are a part. I wish the school every success in fostering the enthusiasm and creativeness of their pupils through this forum and their future work in this area.'
Lee Scott (UK politician)
MP, speaking to Davenant students said: 'You are our future. You must make sure you make that difference that I think you can make.'
Headteacher Christopher Seward said: 'Congratulations to the students who have worked hard in getting Davenant International launched and to Mr. Ivan Corea (Head of Religious Education) who worked hard in giving this some vision and then making it a reality.'
Kingsley Wickramaratne, who discussed the reconstruction program with the students.Davenant Foundation School raised a substantial amount of funds for the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC).They have debated the Da Vinci Code with the renowned speaker, Paul Harcourt and commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the world's worst nuclear disaster, Chernobyl
. Students have also been in the forefront of raising funds for various charities including Christian Aid, World Vision, CAFOD and Jewish Care.
Students of Davenant International plan to go to the United Nations
in New York
for a UN Student Conference on global issues. The Sri Lanka-born star Nimal Mendis
released a special CD 'Light Floods In' for Davenant International — songs from the CD were featured on BBC Radio
(Chris Bard Show) and Premier Radio
(Breakfast Show with Tony Miles and Dave Rose) in the UK.
The school enjoys warm links with Africa
and students from Umlazi School in South Africa
flew in to spend time at Davenant and addressed a meeting sharing social stories on school life in South Africa. The school also participated in the British Council's Africa Dreams 2010 project. Christopher Seward, Headteacher of Davenant visited Umlazi School in Durban, South Africa along with two students in 2005. Davenant Foundation School is a leading Sports College and the Rugby team toured South Africa in the summer of 2005.
The former Bishop of Northern Uganda
Rt.Rev.Gideon Oboma was another visitor to Loughton in 2006. The Bishop recounted his moving story of suffering persecution and even witnessing the murder of his own children. They were shot dead by unknown assassins dressed in military uniform. The students were touched by his message of forgiveness.
Davenant Foundation School
Davenant Foundation School is a coeducational, Christian Ecumenical School, founded in 1680, currently located in Loughton, Essex, England. The school is a specialist Sports College.-Foundation in Whitechapel:...
in Loughton, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. This new forum was launched in September 2005 and received widespread media coverage. Davenant Foundation School was founded in 1680 by the Reverend Ralph Davenant
Ralph Davenant
Reverend Ralph Davenant founded Davenant Foundation School in 1680, when he left £100 in his will to start up a school for the poor boys of Whitechapel, London.Ralph Davenant was Rector of St Mary's in Whitechapel in the East End of London.-External links:*...
. It is a Christian Ecumenical School. Ralph Davenant (Rector of the parish of St. Mary Matfellon) was passionate about social justice, he had a heart for the poor, hence the fact that he left everything he had to the poor in Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
in the East End of London. The Rector bequeathed a handsome legacy for the education of forty boys and thirty girls of the parish in 'reading, writing and the casting of accounts.' You didn't have to go far to come across the poor in the time of Ralph Davenant — the almshouses were situated close by in Whitechapel Road
Whitechapel Road
Whitechapel Road is a major arterial road in the East End of London, England. It connects Whitechapel High Street to the west with Mile End Road to the east and forms part of the A11 road. It is a main shopping street in the Whitechapel area of Tower Hamlets and has a street market...
.
Davenant International was formed against a backdrop of increased awareness and concern for social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and a stand against world poverty. In the summer of 2005 a massive campaign, 'Make Poverty History' captured the imagination of young people not only in the United Kingdom — and even in Loughton in Essex — but right across the world. Bob Geldof
Bob Geldof
Robert Frederick Zenon "Bob" Geldof, KBE is an Irish singer, songwriter, author, occasional actor and political activist. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats in the late 1970s and early 1980s alongside the punk rock movement. The band had hits with his...
launched a series of music concerts during the G8 Summit to drive home the message that people wanted to eradicate poverty. It struck a chord with Davenant students who were moved by statistics like 15,000 children die each day from hunger and starvation.
The launching of Davenant International was so much in keeping with the ideas and the personal Christian ethos of the founder of the school, Ralph Davenant.
Davenant International, now entering its fifth year is headed by Mr Lennox Morris-Whitehead, a science teacher at Davenant Foundation School. He has now taken lead role and has attracted great new talents among the students and many have had great new ideas for fundraising and charity work.
There are many new plans in the pipe line for the global issues forum — such as a visit to parliament early next year, a trip to the EU Conference, and most importantly, a group of students from D.I. will be travelling to New York for their UN Summit, and will submit a paper on Global Warming.
Global issues
The ground breaking Davenant International put global issues on the agenda and attracted world wide attention. The students of Davenant Foundation School heeded the call to take global issues such as Make Poverty HistoryMake Poverty History
Make Poverty History is the name of a campaign that exists in a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark , Finland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Ireland...
, Aids
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, The Tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
Disaster, Children of Chernobyl
Chernobyl
Chernobyl or Chornobyl is an abandoned city in northern Ukraine, in Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city had been the administrative centre of the Chernobyl Raion since 1932....
seriously.
'We live in one world. What we do affects others, and what others do affects us, as never before. To recognise that we are all members of a world community and that we all have responsibilities to each other is not romantic rhetoric, but modern economic and social reality.'
'The school curriculum should contribute to the development of pupils' sense of identity through knowledge and understanding of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural heritages of Britain's diverse society and of the local, national....and global dimensions of their lives....the schools curriculum should...secure their commitment to sustainable development at a personal local,national and global level.'
Davenant International has been exploring the global dimension to the curriculum — through eight concepts:
- Global Citizenship
- Conflict Resolution
- Social Justice
- Values and Perceptions
- Sustainable Development
- Interdependence
- Human Rights
- Diversity
Dignitaries from around the world sent messages of support when Davenant International was launched at Davenant Foundation School in September 2005.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sent her best wishes to all those present for a successful and enjoyable event. The former President of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
also sent his warm greetings to Davenant students. Former British Prime Minister, John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
, writing to the students in Loughton hoped that they would take these issues seriously.
The Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
in a special message to Davenant students said: 'I am delighted to hear about the launch of 'Davenant International'. The forum will provide an opportunity for pupils to debate and discuss a range of global issues in a lively and meaningful way. It is essential that all young people be given the opportunity to learn about the global community of which they are a part. I wish the school every success in fostering the enthusiasm and creativeness of their pupils through this forum and their future work in this area.'
Lee Scott (UK politician)
Lee Scott (UK politician)
Lee Scott is a British politician. He is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Ilford North, and an officer of the Conservative Friends of Israel group.-Early life:Scott was born in the East End of London to a British Jewish family,...
MP, speaking to Davenant students said: 'You are our future. You must make sure you make that difference that I think you can make.'
Headteacher Christopher Seward said: 'Congratulations to the students who have worked hard in getting Davenant International launched and to Mr. Ivan Corea (Head of Religious Education) who worked hard in giving this some vision and then making it a reality.'
A global focus
Davenant International have met the Governor of the Tsunami-hit Southern Province of Southern Sri LankaSri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
Kingsley Wickramaratne, who discussed the reconstruction program with the students.Davenant Foundation School raised a substantial amount of funds for the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC).They have debated the Da Vinci Code with the renowned speaker, Paul Harcourt and commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the world's worst nuclear disaster, Chernobyl
Chernobyl
Chernobyl or Chornobyl is an abandoned city in northern Ukraine, in Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city had been the administrative centre of the Chernobyl Raion since 1932....
. Students have also been in the forefront of raising funds for various charities including Christian Aid, World Vision, CAFOD and Jewish Care.
Students of Davenant International plan to go to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
for a UN Student Conference on global issues. The Sri Lanka-born star Nimal Mendis
Nimal Mendis
Nimal Mendis is a Sri Lankan singer and songwriter. He is one of a handful of Sri Lankan musicians to make it to the BBC television programme Top of the Pops in 1968....
released a special CD 'Light Floods In' for Davenant International — songs from the CD were featured on BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
(Chris Bard Show) and Premier Radio
Premier Radio
Premier Radio may refer to:* Premier Christian Radio, a radio network in the United Kingdom which broadcasts Christian programming* Premiere Radio Networks, a radio network in the United States which syndicates talk and other programming to radio stations...
(Breakfast Show with Tony Miles and Dave Rose) in the UK.
The school enjoys warm links with Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and students from Umlazi School in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
flew in to spend time at Davenant and addressed a meeting sharing social stories on school life in South Africa. The school also participated in the British Council's Africa Dreams 2010 project. Christopher Seward, Headteacher of Davenant visited Umlazi School in Durban, South Africa along with two students in 2005. Davenant Foundation School is a leading Sports College and the Rugby team toured South Africa in the summer of 2005.
The former Bishop of Northern Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
Rt.Rev.Gideon Oboma was another visitor to Loughton in 2006. The Bishop recounted his moving story of suffering persecution and even witnessing the murder of his own children. They were shot dead by unknown assassins dressed in military uniform. The students were touched by his message of forgiveness.
See also
- Reverend Ralph Davenant
- Christopher Seward
- LoughtonLoughtonLoughton is a town and civil parish in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It is located between 11 and 13 miles north east of Charing Cross in London, south of the M25 and west of the M11 motorway and has boundaries with Chingford, Waltham Abbey, Theydon Bois, Chigwell and Buckhurst Hill...
- WhitechapelWhitechapelWhitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
- Davenant CentreDavenant CentreThe Davenant Centre, situated in Whitechapel in the East End of London is known as a 'centre of excellence' for youth services in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The Davenant Centre was built to remember the community work of the Reverend Ralph Davenant, Rector of Whitechapel, who left a...
- Christian AidChristian AidChristian Aid is the official relief and development agency of 40 British and Irish churches and works to support sustainable development, alleviate poverty, support civil society and provide disaster relief in South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia...
- World VisionWorld VisionWorld Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
- CAFODCAFODThe Catholic Agency For Overseas Development, previously known as the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development, is a United Kingdom-based international aid agency working to alleviate poverty and suffering in developing. It is funded by the Catholic community in England and Wales, the UK government...
- Jewish CareJewish CareJewish Care is a British charity, working mainly in London and South East England, providing health and social welfare support services for vulnerable members of the Jewish community. Tony Blair, when he was British Prime Minister, said of the charity: "Jewish Care is not just Jewish values in...
- 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake2004 Indian Ocean earthquakeThe 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
- AidsAIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
- Make Poverty HistoryMake Poverty HistoryMake Poverty History is the name of a campaign that exists in a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark , Finland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Ireland...
External links
- Official School website
- Davenant International website
- Whitechapel
- British History Online: Davenant Foundation Grammar School
- Photograph of Ralph Davenant's School in the Nineteenth Century
- This is Local London Headlines: Pupils Start International Forum
- Guardian: Global Issues in the Spotlight
- Nimal Mendis releases CD in aid of Davenant International — World Music Central
- BBC features Davenant International CD — World Music Central
- Sri Lankan Governor meets British Student Delegation — Clickwalla
- Chernobyl Children's Project
- The British Council's Africa Dreams 2010 Project Events
- G8 Summit 2005