EDUCATION leads into 2007:
16-year-old student re-shapes classroom learning
Tuesday, 2 January
2007
In the New Year
2007, something new truly is happening.
Especially in Education.
Because of people -- youth and
adults.
Remember: "Things don't change; people
change."
Each of us can be part of Change in some way.
EDUCATION leads into 2007
Something very, very important for the
Middle East public peace process happened in
November, 2006, marked a
breakthrough, innovative educational gathering.
The International Conference for Peace and
Democracy was convened by the
Meeting were 270
Israelis, Palestinians and international participants from 20 countries.
Just imagine -- 85 Palestinians, 90 Israelis, and
95 participants from Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Uganda, Italy, Spain,
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland,
Norway, Spain, the US, Canada, Turkey, South Africa, Bosnia, and Iran.
There were educators, curriculum writers, encounter
facilitators, peace studies teachers, camp directors, conflict resolution reseachers, human rights educators, mediators, and
representatives from academia, research, governmental and community
organizations from
Fertile ground was provided
for dialogue and mutual learning, from academia to daily practice.
New insights unfolded, as diverse women and men listened
to each other, learned together, built new relationships and made connections
of understanding between various disciplines.
One outcome is an e-mail network for the
International Community of Peace and Democracy Educators.
Gershon Baskin ( Gershon@ipcri.org ) and Hanna Siniora
( Hanna@ipcri.org ) have more information.
Soon -- but not yet -- practical and profound
findings will be at http://ipcri.org/peaceeducation/
.
READ a fine article:
Published in The
Hindu -- Sunday, 31 December 2006
LEARNING TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
by Aditi Bhaduri
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/12/31/stories/2006123100370400.htm
A16-year-old
student re-shapes classroom learning about the Middle East
Rachael Cameron is a Jewish 11th grade high
school student in
She travelled last summer to
"It made me realize how little I know," she
said upon returning home.
Back at school, Rachael pursued and was granted
consent for an Independent Study project for academic credit.
"Israeli and Palestinian Culture: Religion and
the Conflict" consumed her interest for several months -- a school
semester.
Rachael set a new standard for high school
education.
She met and heard diverse citizens, in a world
where most people slip into "taking sides."
Rachael interviewed
over a dozen Palestinians, Jews, and knowledgeable others.
She also watched films, read, and studied the
Internet.
She came to an unusually whole view of life --
beyond one-sided cause, beyond blame -- from the parallel but conflicting
narratives she learned about.
The 16-year-old didn't stop there.
For her final public, classroom presentation of
findings, Rachael invited interested teachers, administrators, interview
subjects, and her parents.
To each guest she wrote: "During my presentation,
you will be members of the audience.
"During the discussion, I would truly appreciate
your participation.
"However, please feel comfortable to participate
to whatever degree you want.
"Before this session, it would help to think
about the following:
"If these brief descriptions of my project and
findings have sparked any questions you have of me, there will be a brief
question and answer session at the end of the presentation and discussion.
"I'm honored that all of you are coming to
support me in this endeavor.
"It truly means a lot to me. Coffee and small
snacks will be provided. Can't wait to see you there!
"Love, Rachael."
That final day in the classroom -- Friday, 15 December
2006 -- 16-year-old Rachael, nervous but inspired, stood up to speak to
twenty educators and others about:
And Rachael further raised the standard of education.
She led a discussion among the adult attendees about
their own:
And, "most importantly," she requested:
Ravi Lau, the school's
Community Service Director, was deeply touched, as was each person in the room.
"We must move from a culture of debate to a
culture of dialogue," he said with confidence and emotion.
Rachael's e-mail to participants said: "Thank you
all so much for coming to support me last Friday.
"I really appreciated everyone's participation in
our great discussion.
"Each of you helped to make it an amazing
experience for me, and I hope you all enjoyed it as well.
"Now the channels of dialogue have been opened.
"I encourage you to take this conversation back to
your families over the holidays.
"Dialogue is the first step to bringing change
and understanding.
"This is only the beginning."
The teenage student-became-teacher and her
class of elders learned so much together that day.
About history, about today, and
about creating a better tomorrow.
About education -- learning across
generations, beyond taking sides.
About each other, and thus about
humankind -- one, indeed -- and quite capable of living together.
That day, Rachael stayed true to her high school's
mission:
To offer its students a distinctive
and exemplary education, the key ingredients of which are: the school's
"head, heart, and hands" curriculum, the inclusive nature of its
community, and its commitment to society beyond the campus.
School, people and communication
can be this way.
Youth have so much to give, if we help them maintain
their idealism -- what works in real life.
To contact Rachael about her experience and what
she learned, e-mail to LTraubman.igc.org will be
forwarded to her.