The International Baccalaureate (IB) categorizes civil responsibility into five groups: participation, advocacy, social justice, social entrepreneurship, and lifestyle choices.
- Participation involves actively engaging in the learning community and contributing both individually and as part of a group.
- Advocacy involves taking individual or collective action to publicly support positive social, environmental, or political change.
- Social justice focuses on taking action for positive change in human rights, equality, and equity. It addresses societal advantages and disadvantages and supports social well-being and justice for all.
- Social entrepreneurship supports positive social change by responding to community needs at local, national, and global levels. It uses existing knowledge and skills to address challenges and opportunities in resourceful and sustainable ways.
- Lifestyle choices refer to making positive changes in one's life in response to learning (IBO’s “The Learner,” 2020).
Action in the Primary Years Programme (PYP)
Fostering a culture of reflection and empowering students to act meaningfully is central to the IB philosophy.This aligns closely with the mission, vision, and values of Dwight School Hanoi. Students receive diverse opportunities and comprehensive support to extend their classroom learning into tangible contributions to the world. Whether through advocacy, research, or direct and indirect service, students across all age groups in the PYP program are guided in discovering avenues to apply their knowledge in ways that positively impact others. Supporting student-initiated action has prompted discussions on how to model this process for learners. Teachers work to give students time, autonomy, and guidance to begin meaningful action, and students learn about the many forms that action can take.
Service as Action in the Middle Years Programme (MYP)
Facilitating service helps students connect classroom learning to real experiences in the community. When linked with academic ideas, service provides ways to apply skills and knowledge in authentic contexts. This engagement builds personal insight, new skills, confidence, and responsibility, allowing students to participate actively in the real-world environment beyond school.
Participation in Service & Action at Dwight School Hanoi fosters a holistic development in students. They gain heightened awareness of their strengths and areas for growth, confront challenges that facilitate the acquisition of new skills, and actively engage in discussions, evaluations, and planning of activities. Through perseverance in action, effective collaboration with peers, and the cultivation of international-mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism, and intercultural understanding, students emerge with a nuanced perspective. Additionally, they are encouraged to contemplate the ethical implications of their actions, fostering a sense of responsibility and ethical awareness.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) in Diploma Programme (DP)
In the DP, the significance of service is evident in shaping a student's commitment to social responsibility, community engagement, and global consciousness. Engaging in service activities offers students a chance to put their knowledge, abilities, and attitudes into practical use, contributing positively to their communities. Furthermore, participation in service cultivates essential skills like teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving, all of which are advantageous for succeeding in both academic and professional pursuits. Additionally, involvement in service endeavors fosters personal growth by allowing students to gain a profound understanding of themselves and their interconnectedness with the world. Service in the CAS program of the DP contributes to the IB’s mission to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Duke of Edinburgh International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh International Award (DofE) presents an excellent opportunity for Dwight School Hanoi Upper School students to broaden their horizons, explore new interests and talents, enjoy time with friends, cultivate crucial skills for their future, and attain a globally recognized Award. It is an inclusive and non-competitive initiative that encourages young people to set personal challenges and surpass their own limits. The DofE program consists of three levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards – each achieved by successfully completing the program.
Participating in the DofE allows students to forge friendships and create lasting memories. It also helps in developing qualities like confidence, resilience, and self-esteem, which are beneficial for mental health. The program equips them with essential skills for both work and life, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and self-motivation. Additionally, the international recognition of the Award can enhance their standing when applying for university or future employment.
How the DofE Works
To earn the Bronze Award, participants need to fulfill requirements in four sections: Skills, Volunteering, Physical, and Expedition. Each student's DofE program is personalized, allowing them to choose activities for the Skills, Volunteering, and Physical sections. Existing activities can often be counted. Guidance and support are provided. Students may continue with current activities or explore entirely new ones. The time commitment for each section is a minimum of one hour per week over a set period. This allows flexibility around studies, hobbies, and social commitments.
The Expedition section involves our students collaborating in small teams to plan their expedition objective, choose their activity, select a location, and undergo training in preparation. Prior to the expedition, participants receive training in basic expedition principles and learn how to use expedition equipment. This training usually takes place after school during the latter part of the school year. Additional sessions help students plan their route and make preparations.
At Dwight School Hanoi, all Grade 9 students will be enrolled into the program. They are expected to complete the Bronze level by the end of Grade 9. Students may then choose to continue with the Silver and Gold levels. Students who join Dwight in Grades 10–12 may enter directly into Silver or Gold, with slight adjustments to program timelines.
