Global Philadelphia Association leads discussion to empower and educate the next generation of global Philadelphians

Program includes introduction to LearnPhillyHeritage.org, a new comprehensive online resource center that provides low-cost and FREE educational resources on Philadelphia’s heritage

November 1, 2018, Philadelphia, PA – On November 8, 2018, Philadelphia area residents are invited to gather in small groups across the region to share a meal and discuss the opportunities and issues we face in our communities. This citywide effort is being led by On The Table Philly, www.onthetablephl.org.

To help propel these conversations, Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) will host a luncheon and discussion to inspire new ways we can work together to ensure that all Philadelphia students have access to the educational resources needed to utilize and enhance the benefits of living in the nation’s first World Heritage City.

GPA will also introduce a newly launched online heritage education platform, LearnPhillyHeritage.org. This website is the first of its kind and offers low-cost and free heritage educational resources, specifically focused on the Greater Philadelphia region. The site, which is managed by GPA, will provide teachers and parents with the tools they need to develop students’ awareness of our city’s rich past and global significance.

Part of the World Heritage City Project, LearnPhillyHeritage.org was developed to address the difficulty that area teachers have in accessing resources that are relevant and affordable. In early 2018, GPA conducted a Teacher Needs Assessment[1] and found that 100% of teachers interviewed believed that World Heritage aligns well with core standards and 95% claimed that teaching about World Heritage was a priority for them. However, 85% stated that lack of knowledge about available resources is a significant barrier to teaching about World Heritage.

GPA’s World Heritage Coordinator, Melissa Stevens, said: “Despite the wealth of educational opportunities available, we have learned that many teachers have difficulty finding and accessing resources that are relevant and affordable. LearnPhillyHeritage.org will help make our city’s rich past and global heritage accessible to educators, students and families. We’re eager to keep developing this new resource, and we welcome input from the community to help grow the site.”

The site includes a searchable listing of educational resources related to global education and Philadelphia heritage, information on Philadelphia’s World Heritage City designation, event listings, including professional development opportunities for educators, and more.

The On the Table Philly luncheon and discussion will be held November 8th at the Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, in partnership with the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia.

This program is free and open to the public, and would be of special interest to educators, educational organizations and resource providers, parents of Philadelphia students, and anyone interested in learning more about Philadelphia's diverse culture and history. Register for your free ticket at https://global-philadelphia.ticketleap.com/on-the-table

[1] Participants in this study represented a diverse selection of educators, representing various types of educational establishments, grade levels, and subject matter experts.

About LearnPhillyHeritage.org

LearnPhillyHeritage.org is an online resource center site offering free and low-cost educational resources. The site is managed by Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) and is supported by GPA’s World Heritage Coordinator, Melissa Stevens, with input from World Heritage Education Consultant Sarah Sharp and GPA Webmaster Marla Katz. The site was built in partnership with web developer Kevin Ramirez of learning site FactSumo.com. Kevin donated his time and expertise to GPA through Catchafire, a program administered by the Philadelphia Foundation connecting professional volunteers with nonprofits.

About Global Philadelphia Association

The Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) was founded in 2010 by leading international organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region. Its mission is to assist – and encourage greater interaction among – the many organizations and people who are engaged in international activity within the Greater Philadelphia region; promote the development of an international consciousness within the region; and enhance the region’s global profile. GPA is a nonprofit organization with over 200 members, including businesses, organizations and internationally-minded individuals. Learn more at www.globalphiladelphia.org.

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Media contact

Alice Krainock
Communications Consultant
Global Philadelphia Association
[email protected]
858-335-5429