A Global Puzzle

1. Unite the Puzzle and the Beautiful Image by Ummul Izzah An Nafisah Supriadi, age 5, Indonesia A Global Puzzle • The Insights of Children in World Maps

2. A Simple Equation • In the first look, this map almost looks straight out of an atlas or off a stamp. In the second look, I noticed the simplicity of this map — no names identifying continents, countries, or bodies of water. The detail in the flag border contrasts the empty space in the continents. The equation of these unidentified places add up to the entire world. Also, the medium of markers is so representative of a child. What Make Earth by Grace Lee, age15, Canada

3. Bits and Pieces Put Together • This mulitmedia mosaic has an appropriate and mature sense of the world as fragments put together. With our mind and eyes, we unify it. Isn’t that the goal of global learning — to unify and build connections? I love that Argentina is represented by bright woven fabric. Oil slicks in the world (Les marèes noires dans le monde) by Eugenia Margarit, Age 10, Argentina

4. The Global Mind’s Eye • The moment I saw this image, I was fascinated by it. I feel like this is a truly original piece of art, and I love the way it captured the global perspective in such an arresting way. I believe this child was trying to get people to think about the way they look at the world from an individual perspective, or — in this case — from a child’s perspective. See the World Shining in Your Eyes! by Helena Våinmaa, Age 13, Estonia

5. That Which is Unwelcome In My World • Sanchez’s artwork reflects the major issues of multiculturalism and pluralism: war, politics, power, segregation and discrimination, pollution, trade and economics. These are things that he would like to see eliminated for his future and the future of the planet. Un Mundo Prohibido by Omar Sanchez Mendoza, Age 14, Mexico

6. Let Put Our Heads Together... • This is an ethereal, affectionate view of two innocents, the Eastern Hemisphere gently leaning toward the Western Hemisphere to offer love and kindness. To me, the greens suggest growth and prosperity and the dream of a better future for all children. The Earth is Beginning of Everything! by Ugne Zakarauskaite, Age 14, Lithuania

7. It’s a Wikki World! • This imaginative scene is done with wikki sticks and a future-minded child. It offers hope in our abilities to work through our problems and venture into territory that has no borders. It is curious how the land below does not resemble our current continental layout.... Marvellous Sky by Ding Ting, Age 11, China

8. Lift up the World • I enjoy this little 7-year-old’s view of people so big in their own minds that they can lift up the world. All the people lifting are so happy and cooperative. My guess is that the blue and pink represent cultural “opposites.” The baby represents the least of us — we can help, too! Together Strong! by Eline Vranken, Age 7, Belgium

9. A Big World of Small Faces • This collage has many interesting aspects. The individual children’s expressions and physical characteristics, the fact that the collage spills over the page’s border, and the fact that pictures overlap one another. Although twelve is typically a very self-absorbed, individualistic age, this girl sees many different children working together for the sake of the world. Children=The World by Wendy Meakin, Age 12, Australia

10. Accumulate Preservation • This piece almost looks like it should be on the cover of “Time Magazine.” It has the feel of an advertisement or a campaign. Indeed, it is. I think it speaks loudly that a child from Croatia, on the heels of a brutal ethnic war, can be forward-thinking enough to worry about the environment and the things we can do to help our environment. Once is Not Enough — Recycle by Marinko Cirkvenic, Age 15, Croatia

11. A Desperate Plea I Want Peace by Nabiyev Tuzol Alipasha oghli, Age 8, Azerbaijan

12. For me, this last drawing is the most salient image that I saw in this collection of children’s artwork. The first and most obvious is the remarkably sophisticated fine motor skill and artistic eye for such a young child. The second thing I noticed was the disturbing, violent state of the world, indicated by the refugee’s tearful face, the sharp edges of the continent’s outlines, and the black waters of the oceans. The third thing I noticed is the fact that “I want peace” is written in English despite the fact that Azerbaijan one of six independent Turkish states and the official language is Azerbaijani. • This child already has a broad sense of social studies that encompasses geography, social context, and environmental issues. She has the knowledge that we can divide our world’s cultures and betray our planet if we do not change our perspective. The result is a powerful and poignant vision.

13. These pictures represent a variety of young, fresh perspectives on the global citizenship and the problems of the world. They have so many interesting facets: the vibrant colors with lots of greens and blues, the views from distant places, the insightful observations for such young minds, and — in some — the visible, raw anxiety of the future of our world. • Clearly, young people all over the world can understand the concepts of pluralism and global citizenship. The artwork here renders these artists inspirational role models for both adults and children. Teachers can use them as visual examples of thought-provoking material that may motivate others to think about the world through a wider lens. • For a class project, I would talk with my class about the meaning of global citizenship and write the evolution of our thoughts on the blackboard. Then I would ask my students to choose a one of three or four of these pictures and talk about what they see with a partner. Then I would ask them to create their own picture. Later, I would have them show their pictures to their partners and discuss what they both see in each other’s pictures. This would be an opportunity to think about what global citizenship is, how they can contribute as a global citizens, and how others’ cultures and backgrounds effect their perceptions of global citizenship.

14. written by Miranda Danku • ECI 524 • North Carolina State University • Source for Artwork and Information: • Children Map Their World: The Barbara Petchenik Children’s Map Competition. Carleton University Library, Maps, Data and Government Information Centre. Ottawa, Canada. Retrieved on July 22, 2012 from http://children.library.carleton.ca/index.htm • Music by Deadmau5, “The Veldt.”