Hi Niamh,
I agree Development Education has never been as important in the more and more connected world our students live in today and as a result are more aware of what is happening globally. The challenge I think for us as teachers outside of modelling as you outline is getting our students to take a more active role, and making that connection between local and global as you mention. Starting in their own community, getting them to realise that they can voice their opinions and act and influence the world around them.