Baha'i author highlights Chicago as great place to raise global-minded kids

In her new book Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World, Baha'i author Homa Sabet Tavangar features several Chicago programs as examples of how parents can give their children a vital global perspective.

The trade paperback, published by Ballantine Books, went on sale on August 25, 2009.

Ms. Tavangar, an international business consultant and mother of three, was in Chicago over the Labor Day weekend and spoke about her book at the Academy of Global Citizenship, 4647 West 47th Street and at the Baha'i Temple in Wilmette. The AGC is a new Chicago charter school, founded as part of the Mayor Daley's Renaissance 2010 program, and is featured in the book as one of several charter schools in the city that are fostering a sense of world citizenship for their children.

The Baha'i Faith strongly emphasizes the need for a global ethic. Baha’is believe that attaining a just, sustainable and peaceful world order is not just possible, but inevitable–the next stage in humanity’s collective social evolution. However, humanity is facing unprecedented challenges that cannot be solved without a global outlook and unity of thought and purpose among peoples of all races, nations and ethnicities. Baha’u’llah wrote, “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”

The book provides parents with the creative ideas and strategies for global parenting, and highlights several Chicago-based programs, including:

• Chicago is the home to the largest international children’s film festival in the US. Based on ideas from Growing Up Global, other communities around the country already are starting to think about mini film fests, and are learning from the experience in Chicago.
• The Chicago Public Schools are highlighted for their ambitious foreign language programs, particularly in Chinese, which are helping public school kids compete in a global economy.
• The growing diversity of the city and suburbs leads many families to enjoy the foods and cultures offered throughout the region. Growing Up Global encourages families to see a “continent in a weekend” by going to various neighborhoods and sampling the rich cultural offerings.

According to a review by renowned scientist and humanitarian Jane Goodall, "Growing up Global offers fascinating ideas for giving young people opportunities to become truly global citizens. Learning about the customs and culture of others around the globe enriches our lives so much and can only lead to better understanding and cooperation for generations to come."