The Crescere International School Of Global Priorities

The Crescere International School Of Global Priorities is built on the belief that knowledge is the most powerful tool in shaping the future and that education is the cornerstone of progress and change. The core essence of this school is providing an education that instills the students with a global perspective and equips them with the knowledge and tools they need to lead society into a brighter future.

Click Here To View The Design

Background

We are currently at a critical point within our civilization’s history. Tremendous change is rapidly accelerating in our world. We are entering an age where there will be many extremely consequential advancements in science and technology which will drastically change our society and the way we live. These developments—ranging from quantum computing to genetic engineering—will encompass all aspects of our lives and will birth the most powerful tools humanity has ever had at our disposal. Tools that have the potential to cause extreme harm to ourselves and our world if we fail to navigate them properly. This places us at a pivotal crossroads within our civilization where the choices we make now will determine the kind of future we build for ourselves.

The backdrop for this crossroads is dire. On one hand, a great portion of our world is still struggling to reach stability while dealing with extreme poverty, the slow erosion of their communities due to the effects of a worsening climate, and the residual effects of a world embroiled in conflict and economic distress. On other hand, those who are lucky enough to live in areas that have progressed past that point face issues of a separate nature. These issues range from wealth inequality and the erosion of social mobility furthering the gap between those at different places within our socioeconomic ladder, mass financial fragility leading to increased tension/conflict fueled by frustration and desperation, growing hopeless among those at the very bottom of our socio-economic ladder, general systematic and institutional stagnation leaving us on shaky ground as we experience the most upheaval we have ever seen throughout our civilizational history, and a technological arms race which—combined with bad incentives—is leading us off a cliff’s edge that will likely plunge us into some form of a dystopian future.

This backdrop is likely to worsen as society races forward. For example, the societal turbulence that the introduction of disruptive and extremely consequential technologies like AI and automation will inevitably cause will greatly worsen the issues we are facing in addition to causing unprecedented problems that we are ill-prepared to handle. This impact will also likely ripple into those societies that are still struggling with poverty and stability. This is just one example of the crises that are hurtling towards us which we have to solve in order to properly navigate this crossroads. The central problem, though, is that we are not properly equipped to handle these issues. In other words, our educational systems have largely failed in preparing us for this moment. The lack of scientific literacy, awareness regarding the state of our world/its societies, and wisdom concerning the use of technology—including an understanding of its impact on our society—combined with the accelerating rate of scientific discovery and technological progress is the crux of all the problems that we are currently faced with and will have to confront in the coming years. Education is central to fixing this. Through education, we can properly equip current and future generations with the foundation and tools they need to navigate this crucial moment in our civilization’s history.

The challenge is that, in this era of societal turbulence, rapid change, and unpredictability, a traditional education and the traditional approach to teaching is no longer enough. We need new educational systems that are more expansive, flexible, and accessible. The digital technological age has gifted us with many tools and resources that can greatly aid us in building these new systems and adapting them to meet the needs of students all over the world. All that is left is to adapt our modes of instruction to fit these tools and open up a path towards a quality education for as many as possible. Essentially, we need to expand the scope of our curriculum, update our modes of instruction, and democratize access to quality education. What I’m specifically referring to here is using digital technology to uphold and expand access to free and open educational resources that allow anyone the opportunity to gain a better understanding of our world and to gain the tools necessary to positively impact it. Digital platforms built around open education are the key to accomplishing this.

Overview

The Crescere International School Of Global Priorities is a free and open educational resource and instruction platform built specifically for the purpose of addressing this need and equipping students with all the tools they need to secure a bright future. Through primarily online-based instruction, open and extensive curriculum, flexible program schedules, and an expansive ecosystem of instructors, counselors, teaching assistants, mentors, and classmates built around the platform—it aims to provide as many students as possible with the foundation, resources, and support they need to address the growing needs of our world and secure a bright future.

The central focus of CISGP is shaping compassionate, informed, and responsible global citizens who possess the knowledge and skills to tackle the pressing challenges of our rapidly changing interconnected world. Built around the vision of inspiring change-makers, this platform and institution is dedicated to providing a holistic education centered around global issues and priorities. To this end, all programs offered by CISGP are designed to go beyond conventional educational paradigms. The curriculum is carefully crafted with the aim of fostering a deep understanding of global challenges, including environmental sustainability, social inequity, cultural diversity, economic disparity, and technological advancements. CISGP embraces a multidisciplinary approach, integrating subjects such as science, technology, humanities, and the arts to provide a comprehensive perspective on global issues as opposed to the fragmented nature of traditional higher education institutions where the curriculum is often taught within the silos of individual courses or majors. The instructors explore real-world challenges and encourage students to analyze, discuss, and propose innovative solutions. This approach to instruction is predicated on teaching students to break down the barriers between subjects—allowing them to see how different fields of knowledge intersect and how they can apply diverse insights to address complex problems. The goal is to empower students to think critically, act compassionately, and engage proactively with global challenges. By cultivating a strong sense of empathy, social responsibility, and global awareness, we can nurture leaders who possess a strong commitment to making a positive impact on the world. To this end, all our degree programs are built upon a free 2-year foundational program based around this focus and outlined below:

Semester 1: Foundations of Global Studies

Introduction to Global Issues: An overview of major global challenges, including climate change, poverty, human rights, migration, and international relations.
Cultural Anthropology: Study of diverse cultures, their history, customs, and values to foster cultural understanding and appreciation.
Global Economics: Examination of economic systems, global trade, and economic disparity to understand the complexities of the global economy.
Global Environmental Science: Exploration of environmental issues and sustainable practices to address environmental challenges.
Language Studies: Introduction to a foreign language, emphasizing the importance of linguistic skills in global communication.

Semester 2: Global Perspectives

International Relations: In-depth analysis of diplomatic relations, international organizations, and geopolitical dynamics shaping global affairs.
Global Governance: Study of global governance structures, policies, and institutions and their impact on world affairs.
Sociocultural Diversity: Understanding the intersection of cultural diversity, identity, and social justice issues on a global scale.
Global Communication: Development of effective communication skills for engaging with diverse audiences across cultures.
Research Methods in Global Studies: Introduction to research methodologies used to analyze and address global issues.

Semester 3: Specialization and Practical Experience

Specialization Elective: Students choose from a range of specialized courses based on their interests and career goals. Examples include Global Health, Sustainable Development, Humanitarian Studies, International Business, Conflict Resolution, or Global Technology.
Study Abroad/Internship/Fieldwork: A mandatory practical experience in the form of an internship, study abroad program, or fieldwork with organizations working on global issues.
Social Entrepreneurship: Introduction to the principles of social entrepreneurship and how innovative solutions can address social and environmental challenges.
Global Ethics and Leadership: Exploration of ethical issues in global decision-making and the development of leadership skills for responsible global citizenship.

Semester 4: Global Engagement

Capstone Project: Students undertake a significant research project or practical initiative that addresses a specific global issue, demonstrating their cumulative knowledge and skills.
Global Engagement Seminars: Interactive seminars where students engage with experts, policymakers, and international humanitarian organizations to discuss real-world global challenges and potential solutions.
Global Citizenship and Advocacy: Understanding the role of individuals in advocating for positive change and contributing to global citizenship initiatives.
Elective Course: Students have the opportunity to take additional elective courses to further customize their degree based on their interests and aspirations.

This comprehensive program equips students with a deep understanding of global issues, cross-cultural competencies, and the skills required to tackle complex challenges in our interconnected world. Upon its completion, students are equipped with a strong academic foundation, practical experiences, and a global mindset, positioning them to make meaningful contributions to the various fields they choose to pursue as they continue their educational journey. Although CISGP’s programs are open to anyone, regardless of their age, the school is designed to be an alternative path to a quality post-secondary education leading into a career for high school-level students similar to a university or a trade/vocational school. Though even children as young as elementary and middle school age students can benefit from CISGP as many of the individual courses and programs offered are free and available to anyone that wishes to complete them.

CISGP is also designed to be a melting pot of diverse cultures and backgrounds. A place that celebrates the richness of our international community, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where students learn from one another's unique experiences. A school that actively encourages students to engage with local and global communities, collaborating on projects that address various challenges faced by different regions of the world—whether its through experiential learning opportunities such as internships, study abroad programs, and field trips, or through community-based projects or localized fieldwork. The aim is to help students gain practical insights into global issues and provide them opportunities to witness the impact of their actions firsthand.

CISGP is also a platform built around the flexibility of remote-based online education and the reach it gives us to enroll and teach as many students as possible, especially those within impoverished communities where access to high quality education is scarce. It is built with the aim of harnessing the power of digital technology to democratize access to educational resources and to adequately equip all the students with the tools/resources they need---such as laptops or textbooks---to succeed within their educational journey. Through technology, we can equip our team of educators, subject matter experts, and passionate advocates for global issues with the tools they need to provide personalized guidance to students, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Design Focuses

The focuses for the design of this platform were utility, efficiency, and organization. This platform is meant to be a central dashboard for the school’s teachers and students—a place that houses every resource they need in order to succeed in their educational journey. While ease of use and simplistic design were considered in the design of this platform, the main focuses were the inclusion of every tool a student would need to succeed, the efficiency of the pages even at the cost of overcrowding, and the organization of these tools so that users would easily be able to find information and locate resources. The home page of the Student Dashboard is the best embodiment of these focuses. While the information on this page is well organized and easy to navigate, it is packed with useful tools that would be helpful to a student when they first sign in. While these designs are web-based for the purposes of presenting a full view of each component, the main method of delivery for these tools would be mobile-based.

Component Breakdown

Student Dashboard

The home page of the Student Dashboard is the best embodiment of focuses detailed above. While the information on this page is well organized and easy to navigate, it is packed with useful tools that would be helpful to a student when they first sign in. The “Your Progress” component gives the student a clear sense of where they are in their studies. The “Last Active Courses” component maintains a sense of continuity from their last session on the platform. The “In-Progress Assignments” component allows them to pick back up where they left off, preserving a sense of flow as they work through their assignments. The “Most Recent Grades” component gives them an opportunity to review and reflect while reminding them of their progress. And the “Upcoming Events” component alerts them of any upcoming deadlines, class sessions, or study sessions they may have otherwise forgotten about. The efficient organization and utility of these components is what makes this page a useful dashboard for the student as they work through their courses.

Message Portal

CISGP is designed to foster an environment for its students that feels like more than just a school. It is meant to operate as a family—a tight-knit community where students, teachers, counselors, and mentors work together to create a nurturing and supportive environment for all. This is difficult while being a primarily remote education-based institution which is why it is crucial to have channels and spaces where students can bond and connect throughout their educational journeys. This is the primary purpose of the message portal—to foster an environment that values collaboration and nurtures a sense of belonging that extends past geographical borders. Through this, students can build life-long friendships with others all across the world, collaborate together on coursework, and connect with their predecessors—the CISGP alumni--who can provide them with support and guidance as they navigate through their courses and prepare to tackle the world.

Contact Center

This resource is designed with the aim of providing students access to a dedicated team of educators, experienced professionals, counselors, mentors, subject matter experts, and passionate advocates for global issues. They provide personalized guidance to students, empowering them to reach their full potential. Through faculty members that are carefully selected for their expertise, passion, and commitment to global education, we can create a nurturing learning environment where students feel comfortable exploring complex issues and expressing their opinions openly. They act as facilitators—guiding students on their learning journey, encouraging critical thinking, and fostering a culture of curiosity. Beyond academics, these instructors, mentors, and counselors play an integral role in creating a supportive and inclusive school community. From counselors providing emotional support to mentors offering practical advice, every team member contributes to the holistic development of CISGP’s students.

Student Profile

CISGP is built on the belief that knowledge is the most powerful tool in shaping the future. To this end, CISGP maintains a record of all coursework and projects that a student completes throughout their time at school and gives the students lifetime access to this in addition to all the course material of the classes they've completed. This archive of knowledge can prove to be an invaluable resource for both students and alumni as they progress through their educational and career journeys. Students are even encouraged to refer to past work compiled within their student archive in order to synthesize past knowledge with new information learned within their current courses. In addition to this archive, the student profile also contains the educational history of the student which includes all school records such as attendance and grades.

Study Abroad & Homestay Programs

One of the core pillars of CISGP is the belief that meaningful learning occurs when students can connect theory to real-life experiences. Through experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, study abroad programs, field trips, service-learning projects, and partnerships with people, institutions, and organizations working on global issues—students can gain insight into global challenges, develop practical skills, learn from professionals, and contribute to real-world solutions. Through partnerships with local NGOs, international humanitarian organizations, and social enterprises, students actively participate in initiatives that address the needs of various communities. This hands-on experience reinforces the importance of empathy, social responsibility, and collaborative problem-solving. These programs also actively encourage our students to engage with local and global communities, helping them build bridges that can aid them in their journeys post-graduation. Through them, we can provide students with an education that transcends borders, instills a global perspective, and equips them with the tools to contribute positively to the world.

Design

View on Figma: