Pupils and teachers from across Cumbria have been exploring how they can become better global citizens.

More than 50 teachers from 35 schools converged on Rheged near Penrith for a global citizenship conference.

They were joined by over 40 pupils from 13 primary schools who got together to share best practice and learn new skills and approaches.

Global learning explores the connections between people and places around the world.

It seeks to highlight the similarities and differences that exist in the world today and relate them to daily lives.

Many of the projects and work done in schools asks pupils to look from the global to the local.

It involves youngsters identifying an international issue, such as flooding or homelessness, and looking at how it affects them before considering what action they can take to make a difference locally.

Monday's conference at Rheged was organised by the Cumbria Development Education Centre (CDEC) charity and Armathwaite School.

Storyteller and global educator Alia Alzoubi from HEC Global Learning Centre in London launched the day.

Alison Hooper, head of Egerton Primary School in Cheshire, was also keynote speaker.

She described global learning as her ‘golden thread’ that intertwines and binds the curriculum at her school together.

A CDEC spokeswoman said: "It is with this that she has successfully given her children a voice and the confidence to try to understand and question the complex world in which we all now live."

Members of Cockermouth School’s LGBT+ group and teacher Mat Richards were among those to attend the Rheged event.

Sixth formers led a workshop for delegates on understanding sexuality and issues surrounding it.

Sheffield-based Clive Belgeonne also explored gender with delegates.

He helped to challenge preconceived notions of what it means to be a male or female by exploring the UN's goals for gender equality.

Members of Carlisle Fairtrade Network were also among those at the conference, hosting sessions, as were the Whinlatter-based Classrooms in the Forest and actor Peter MacQueen.

A highlight for many was the array of colourful displays staged by primary school children.

From Seascale Primary School’s explorations of Chinese culture to Natland Primary School’s campaign to rid Kendal of plastic, and displays about Fairtrade and composting, children were able to discover more about what was going on in other parts of the county.

Carlisle headteacher Graham Frost and Rachel Ingrams, who leads at Silloth Primary School, were among those to take part in a panel discussion at the close of the day.

The pair are among a party travelling from Cumbria to Italy next week to take part in an international global learning conference.

CDEC’s director Laura Gaud said: "Amongst the issues raised here was the homogenous nature of Cumbria and the lack of diversity.

"Mat of Cockermouth School reflected on a partnership his school has with an inner-city secondary school in Birmingham which has students of a different background to his school but is equally homogenous – by building partnerships, making visits and sharing life and experiences, both schools and communities have benefited."

Mr Frost, headteacher of Robert Ferguson Primary School in Denton Holme, called on schools to look for more opportunities to get connected.

"We must help our young people want to be around people of different backgrounds and with different experiences of life, like the example Cockermouth School is working on," he said.

Silloth Primary School headteacher Rachel Ingrams added: "Clearly put it, global learning is about having the skills to be broadminded, empathetic and tolerant members of society wherever you may live."