About

Our vision is for a just and sustainable world.

We believe learning about global issues and adopting innovative thinking and methods from around the world empowers us all to work for a more hopeful future.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for positive social change by sharing the benefits of global learning with as many people as possible.

How we do this

We partner with teachers, higher education institutions and organisations to offer engaging workshops, events and training on global issues and global learning methods.

We like to do things in an open, participatory way allowing people we work with to feel supported and their voices heard.

We believe learning is a life-long process and we strive to make global learning relevant to all ages.

What is global learning?

Global learning helps us make sense of our complex world and develop an awareness of the impact of our own actions on others. At Liverpool World Centre, our work focuses on issues such as climate change, globalisation and addressing inequalities. Global learning fosters:

  • critical and creative thinking
  • self-awareness and open-mindedness towards difference
  • understanding of global issues and the impact of actions on others
  • optimism and action for a better world

Liverpool World Centre is part of The Global Learning Network (previously, Consortium of Development Education Centres or CODEC), allowing us to work with other not-for-profit organisations who share our mission to support and deliver global learning in schools and communities.

We believe learning is a life-long process and we strive to make global learning relevant to all ages.

Meet the team

  • Andrea Bullivant
    Andrea Bullivant
    Co-Director

    Andrea’s experience combines working for social justice in contexts including with asylum seekers/refugees, and training and facilitation with schools and universities. Increasingly, her role focuses on evaluation and making research relevant for practice.

  • Karen Wynne
    Karen Wynne
    Co-Director

    Karen plans and delivers our work with communities, strengthening engagement through sharing our participatory and creative approaches to social justice, facilitation and problem solving. Karen’s background is varied, but rooted in community and the arts.

  • Jacquie Ayre
    Jacquie Ayre
    Global Learning Lead for Schools

    Jacquie has over 30 years’ experience as a secondary school teacher and Faculty lead for Citizenship and PSHE in north-west England. At LWC, she works closely with schools to bring global learning to pupils of all ages.

  • Joanne Holt
    Placement Coordinator

    Joanne has wide ranging experience in leading projects in the HE sector, alongside a varied CV of work in Liverpool's theatres and arts venues. She is currently co-ordinating placements for Liverpool Hope University BA Education and University of Liverpool Life Sciences students.

  • Fez
    Communications and Events Coordinator

    Fez leads all aspects of our communications work, as well as supporting our evaluation work, and ensuring the general smooth running of the office!

Our Trustees

  • Dr Sara Parker (Chair)
    Dr Sara Parker (Chair)

    Sara Parker is a Reader in Development Studies at Liverpool John Moores University and also the Chair of the Liverpool Fairtrade Steering Committee. She has over 30 years of experience teaching development issues and also researching and working in Nepal. Her current research focuses on menstrual discrimination in Nepal using creative visual methods on a project called Dignity Without Danger.

  • Raymond Bissex
    Raymond Bissex

    Raymond is a chartered accountant and was a director of Liverpool World Shop. He has been responsible for the preparation of accounts and attending to company administration since joining Liverpool World Centre in 2003.

  • Frank Kennedy
    Frank Kennedy

    Originally a primary teacher, Frank has a M.Phil in Peace Studies. Frank was involved in setting up the Liverpool World Group – which later became LWC. After 11 years as Friends of the Earth’s Regional Campaigns Coordinator, he became an ESOL teacher and is now returning to primary school work.

  • James Kirk
    James Kirk

    James is the Managing Director of Liverpool-based communications company Kaleidoscope. He joined Liverpool World Centre as a trustee in 2020 and advises us on commercial and communications priorities across the organisation.

  • Mari-Ann Valkass (Treasurer)

    Mari-Anne Valkass is a retired teacher of science, in both secondary and FE sectors. In addition to this, Mari-Ann has extensive experience across other fields, including as a counsellor and mental health rehabilitation officer. Mari-Ann is currently completing the RHS L2 in Horticulture and enjoying spending time in nature, although music is her first love!

  • Katie McAllister
    Katie McAllister

    Katie is a Research and Impact Manager at the University of Liverpool. She has previously worked as development manager for national charity The Reader and in teaching roles at the University of Salamanca and University of Salford. She joined us in January 2022 and brings knowledge of the higher education landscape and experience in program management, stakeholder engagement and business development to support the work of LWC.

  • Olivia Johnson
    Olivia Johnson

    Having worked for local and national charities over the last decade, Olivia has experience of public engagement and research within the education, heritage, community and women’s sectors. She is currently Programme & Impact Manager at a national charity for girls and is passionate about working with young people to create a more equitable world.

  • Nick Sawyer
    Nick Sawyer

    Nick brings with him a diverse wealth of expertise to the Liverpool World Centre with a career spanning charity, politics, local authority, the NHS, marketing, design, sales, customer service and finance.
    Nick is deeply committed to empowering social change, has worked in both health and care, run for councillor and also worked for a charity as office manager and PA to the CEO.

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