The two-year National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Student Leadership Initiative: Global Citizenship brings NASSP and its student programs—the National Honor Society (NHS), National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS), and National Student Council (NatStuCo)—together to make a difference in their schools, communities, and beyond.
It is the first time these organizations have united in such a profound way with an initiative that aims to encourage all students to think globally and act locally. This extraordinary effort has the potential to reach millions of students around the world, empowering them to step up and work together for the common good.
Global citizenship is defined as a demonstrated awareness of, concern for, and involvement in the well-being and success of others beyond one’s immediate community, extending into the nation and the world. The initiative embraces five strands with project examples offered to illustrate:
Projects that engage or improve relations with varied and underserved populations
Examples: Special Olympics, No Name Calling Week, Best Buddies, etc.
Projects that raise awareness or engage in civic-based activities
Examples: mock elections, voter registration drives, Mayor for a Day, etc.
Positive Social Change
Projects that raise awareness of or engage others in activities addressing identified social issues in the school and community
Examples: drunk driving awareness, Random Acts of Kindness Week, culture fairs, etc.
Empathetic Actions and Wellness
Projects that assist people in need or crisis, or improve the environment
Examples: clothing/food drives, care packages for vets/homeless, donations or drives for children’s hospitals, etc.
Projects that raise awareness and perspectives or promote meaningful dialogue on identified school and community issues
Examples: anti-bullying/smoking/drugs, blood drives, pause before you post, etc.
A National Student Project Database includes projects and activities that can be used to support the initiative. Visit the database here. »
The initiative is the brainchild of NASSP’s Student Leadership Advisory Committee, which includes NHS, NJHS, and NatStuCo student representatives, as well as principals and teachers.
Participation is not limited to schools affiliated with NHS, NJHS, NEHS, or NatStuCo. In fact, all schools and all students can get involved right away by considering projects and events that bring the entire school together to make a difference and consider how its impact could be measured. This website will showcase the work being done with participants sharing projects on social media using the hashtag #MakingGlobalChange.
About NASSP and its Student Programs
NASSP is the leading organization of and voice for principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and in over 35 countries around the world. Founded in 1916, NASSP’s mission is to connect and engage school leaders through advocacy, research, education, and student programs.
NASSP is the proud founder and administrator of the National Honor Society (NHS), the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS), and National Student Council (NatStuCo).
NHS, founded in 1921, is the best-known and most respected recognition program honoring scholarship, service, leadership, and character among students in grades 10 through 12. NJHS, founded in 1929, honors these same values as well as citizenship among middle level students. In 2008, NASSP founded NEHS in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Foundation to recognize scholarship, responsibility, service, and leadership among students in grades 4 through 6. Since 1931, National Student Council has aimed to help middle level and high school student councils become more effective organizations by providing students with opportunities to sharpen leadership skills and influence positive school climate.