Diploma Programme
Global Citizens Diploma
Global Citizen Diploma ( GCD) is an internationally recognised portfolio-based credential dedicated to nurturing academic rigour, global understanding, community engagement and intercultural communication. GCD allows students to showcase up to 16 elements of global citizenship through the development of a multimedia portfolio which they build during Grades 9 through 12. Through intentional reflection, students develop a better understanding of who they are and what they value: the GCD portfolio provides a rich source of documentation of a student's learning experiences which they can draw upon when applying to university and the world of work. GCD is a requirement for graduation and HKA is the only school in Hong Kong to offer it.
GCD Elements
ACADEMICSAchieve a level of education that makes it possible to hold informed opinions.
Certificates can be earned prior to high school graduation. Diplomas are earned upon graduation.
ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONNurture the habits of creative exploration & communication through sustained engagement with the arts.
PERSONAL GOALSet an ambitious goal, & plan systematically, act, reflect and adapt in the pursuit of it.
ADVANCED ACADEMICSEngage & perform at the highest academic level in one subject across disciplines in a specific academic skill.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTMake a consistent, sustained commitment to serving & developing connections with others.
ENGAGEMENT WITH NATUREAssess risk, & develop a skill or understanding through interaction with nature.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONEngage an audience & communicate effectively, ethically, & publicly on issues of personal interest or passion.
LEADERSHIPFulfill their vision through the effective leadership of people & management of resources.
GLOBAL UNDERSTANDINGSeek personal understanding of the interaction of power or privilege & economics, ethics, politics, religion, environment between countries / cultures.
FOREVER SKILLSDevelop proficiency in interdisciplinary academic skills such as research, reflection, transfer, organization, collaboration & inquiry.
WELLNESSLearn how to maintain their own physical, social, mental / emotional, & spiritual health.
MULTILINGUALISMFunction at native or fluent proficiency in at least two skills of reading, writing & speaking, in at least two different languages.
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIONCommit to connecting with and understanding others across linguistic & cultural barriers.
MANAGEMENT Take responsibility for managing resources such as space, money, & time, towards the completion of a goal.
WORK EXPERIENCE Provide work of practical value and develop a range of skills in a professional setting.
PARAPROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTAchieve & be recognized at the highest or paraprofessional levels, on a par with adults.
Overall Structure of the GCD
CORE VALUES
The core values of global citizenship reflect an understanding of others, awareness, action and advocacy.
The core values of global citizenship reflect an understanding of others, awareness, action and advocacy.
COMPETENCIES
In addition to core values, each student has an individual combination of competencies that shape what they contribute to the world.
In addition to core values, each student has an individual combination of competencies that shape what they contribute to the world.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Sometimes students transcend their roles as students and participate in the world as adults with paraprofessional expertise.
Sometimes students transcend their roles as students and participate in the world as adults with paraprofessional expertise.
