INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

INTRODUCTION

The world today has undergone radical changes. Globalisations, the advent of technology in communication network, transport system and life styles have erased the margin of distance and time. There is a greater awareness for the necessity of establishing lasting peace among the nations of the world after the impact of international wars. In recent years, the concept of one world of one community has assumed greater significance. After the World War II, the concept of unity in diversity and the interdependence of nations for the sustained economic growth and political safety have assumed greater significance. Thus the concept of international understanding has arrived.

Dr. Radhakrishnan has rightly said;

“it is essential for us to live apart but to live together, understanding one another’s fears and anxieties, aspirations and thought. We must work for racial harmony. We may be Indian, Russian, etc but we are essentially human beings. Let us learn to live in a world community.”

International understanding or Internationalism is a feeling that the individual is not only a member of his country, but a member of the world as well. It is a sense of world citizenship which enables individuals to hold a global perspective instead of local or national viewpoint. Internationalism inspires the people of the world of live together in peace with one another as good neighbour, to take effective measures for bridging the gaps created by issues and to develop friendly relations among nations. It needs the awareness of all human beings as member of a simple human society, irrespective of national boundaries and other differences.

CONCEPT OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

According to Lewis,” International Understanding is the ability to observe critically and objectively and appraise the conduct of men everywhere to each other, irrespective of the nationality or culture to which they belong”.

Goldsmith defines internationalism “as a feeling that the individual is only a member of his state, but a citizen of the world”.

NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

Ø To ensure world peace.

Ø To prevent world wars.

Ø To promote democracy, human rights, human welfare and freedom to all people over the world.

Ø To find solution to poverty, illiteracy and exploitation.

Ø To bring medical relief to millions of people ailing with diseases across the world.

Ø To protect and preserve the natural environment and diverse culture of the world.

Ø To share technological and scientific knowledge among nations.

Ø To bring development and progress to all nations of the world.

HURDLES IN THE WAY OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

War, terrorism, racism, military dominance, poverty, narrow minded nationalism, scarcity of resources, trade issues, human right issues, unemployment, language etc are the main hurdles in the way of international understanding.

AIMS OF EDUCATION IN PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

v To know and understand how people in other land live.

v To recognise the common humanity which underlying all differences in culture.

v To work for a fair and just world order with security, freedom and equality.

v To maintain interest in world affairs.

v To recognise the importance of solving world problems according to democratic practices.

v To understand the interdependence of people and countries.

v To respect the dignity and worth of all people by giving everyone equality of rights and opportunities.

v To take world as one unit.

v To understand that victories of peace are greater than victories of war.

v To make aware about international welfare programs.

CURRICULUM FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

ü Emphasis should be given to study language, social studies, art and crafts.

ü Encourage children to learn foreign languages.

ü Celebrate international days.

ü Encourage students to make companionship which children of other countries as pen friends.

ü Develop a habit of reading international news from newspaper and periodicals.

ü Encourage people to attend suitable T.V programs and radio programs.

ü Celebrate birth anniversary of great men of all nations.

ü Debates on problems of international importance.

ü Inspire and encourage students to participate in international competitions.

ü Arrange student exchange programs.

CONCLUSION

There is a great need for international understanding to defeat poverty and to bring prosperity among the nations of the world. We will have to wipe off the differences and conflicts for international understanding. There is a great nee of common ideology among all the nations of the world. We have to remove the narrow sense of nations.