building a culture of peace through education & dialogue integrating: -peace education...
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Building a Culture of Peace Through Education & Dialogue
Integrating:-Peace education-Conflict resolution-Interfaith dialogue
into curricular & complementary programs/projects in the ELCJHL Schools & Educational Programs
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land (ELCJHL) Educational Ministry {over 150 years of mission}
The Schools (Teaching /Learning English Begins in KG3):
* To be integrated gradually with ELCJHL Schools beginning in September 2009
Name Town No. Students Type
Evangelical Lutheran School Beit Sahoor 480 KG-12 & Coed
Dar Al-Kalima School Bethelehm 270 KG-12 & Coed
School of Hope Ramallah 483 KG-12 & Coed
Talitha Kumi School Beit Jala 805 KG-12 & Coed
Good Shepherd School * Beit Jala 368 KG-12 & All Girls
The Programs: 1. The KG in Jerusalem (20 Boys & Girls)2. The Martin Luther Community Development Center (MLCDC)
in Jerusalem (serves 40-60 people daily)3. The Environmental Education Center (EEC) in Beit-Jala
(serves 4000-5000 people annually)4. The Boarding Home (BH) for Boys in Beit-Jala (30-35 boys
about 6 to 18 years of age)
Education in Palestine (not including Gaza Strip)
10% are Private Schools (predominantly Church owned and run) 12% United Nations Schools 78% Public Schools Most of these schools are not coeducational Total student Body is 654,217* (1,097,957 with Gaza)*(Ministry of education)-http://www.moe.gov.ps
ELCJHL Educational Ministry:• Assessment • Strategic Plan• Action Plan
Started in early 2005
All Stakeholders were Involved The process was as important as the outcome
The Strategic Plan’s Long Term Goals:
G1.G1. To develop wholesome, creative, and innovative students in an ever-changing worldTo develop wholesome, creative, and innovative students in an ever-changing world
G2. To integrate peace values, reinforce democracy, and encourage G2. To integrate peace values, reinforce democracy, and encourage respect for othersrespect for others
G3.G3. To promote communication and cooperation with the schools To promote communication and cooperation with the schools and local and international groupsand local and international groups
G4.G4. To mold and reinforce Palestinian and Christian identityTo mold and reinforce Palestinian and Christian identityG5. G5. To provide quality education through innovative methodsTo provide quality education through innovative methodsG6. G6. To create a healthy and stimulating school environmentTo create a healthy and stimulating school environmentG7. G7. To provide for students’ individual differences and special needsTo provide for students’ individual differences and special needsG8. G8. To reinforce and support the role of women in Palestinian societyTo reinforce and support the role of women in Palestinian societyG9. G9. To practice financial responsibilityTo practice financial responsibility
• This plan is our main TOOL/GUIDE for building a culture of peace in the This plan is our main TOOL/GUIDE for building a culture of peace in the ELCJHL Schools.ELCJHL Schools.
• This is reflected mostly in Goals 2, 3 & 4.This is reflected mostly in Goals 2, 3 & 4.
Some Examples of related Goals’ Objectives (sub-Goals)
G2:G2: To integrate peace values, reinforce democracy, and To integrate peace values, reinforce democracy, and encourage respect for othersencourage respect for others
• G201: To reinforce the concept of students as persons worthy of respect and responsible for their individual actions.• G202: To learn and practice group democratic processes.• G203: To emphasize and encourage Lutheran Schools’ Core Values and openness to other cultures.• G204: To help create a national vision that supports the principles of constructive dialogue.• G205: To equip teachers and students with the necessary skills that will help them in conflict resolution.
G3: To promote communication and cooperation with the G3: To promote communication and cooperation with the schools and local and international groupsschools and local and international groups
• G301: To develop and strengthen the communication process inside each school/program
• G308: To seize and utilize all opportunities that allow students to demonstrate their skills, talents and abilities
• G309: To support and encourage communication and cultural/educational exchange through international school twinning programs
G4: To mold and reinforce Palestinian and Christian identityG4: To mold and reinforce Palestinian and Christian identity
• G401: To develop a curriculum framework that supports and strengthens Palestinian identity
• G403: To clarify and emphasize the role of Palestinian Christians in the development and advancement of Palestinian communities
• G404: To support and strengthen Islamic-Christian-Jewish relationships
Examples of Some Relevant Activities/Projects Related to Goals 2, 3 & 4
• G202A1: To provide instruction and supervised practice in democratic problem solving and discussion techniques in student council, parent council, and faculty meetings.
• G202A2: To emphasize human rights international documents, citizen’ responsibilities in a democracy, comparison of various democratic constitutions and institutions in the social studies and other curricula.
• G203A1: To implement joint Christian-Islamic Religion classes twice each month .
• G203A2: Provide through social studies curriculum and available community resources supplementary study units and presentations that discuss and evaluate cultural differences that include the influences of religion, materialism, technology, and ethnic differences in Palestine and other countries.
• G203A3: Initiate and maintain international contacts for students through pen-pal programs, hosting visits, exchange visits, and class projects with overseas sponsors and contacts.
• G205A1: Hold annual workshops for training teachers & students on principals and techniques of conflict resolution.
• G205A2: The social studies curriculum will include strategies on age appropriate techniques for teaching conflict resolution to grades 8-10.
• G301A1: Utilize morning assembles to communicate and demonstrate core principles of constructive dialogue, peace culture, conflict resolution/management…
• G308A1: Students will be offered instruction and supervised training to organize and lead Student Council meetings, public events, school tours, exhibitions, concerts, sports events/programs etc….
• G309A2: Administration and also Language Teachers will organize twinning, correspondence, and exchange programs with international schools.
• G404A1: The religious education curriculum will provide bi-monthly joint religion classes for Christian and Muslim students in grades 1-12.
• G404A3: Organize summer camps, workshops, seminars, organized discussion sessions through AEI for upper grade students and teachers twice per semester with the theme “Respecting Differences and Living in the Holy Land.”
Some Specific Examples Related to Peace Education, Conflict Resolution, Interfaith Dialogue…
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Project - Israeli, Jordanian & Palestinian participation including Gaza Strip - Overall objective is to generate an understanding of the history of
democracy in the Middle East and to develop an approach for peaceful relations among the inhabitants.
- Specific objective is to establish educational tools and mechanisms on peace culture/education
- Some Bethlehem Lutheran School teachers are involved in this program which began two
years ago.
More on Specific Examples Related to Peace Education, Conflict Resolution, Interfaith Dialogue…
The NIR School Project sponsored by Perez Peace Center and MEDINOLA a Palestinian NGO.
- Israeli, Jordanian & Palestinian Participation.- Overall objective is to bring Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian
Students together.- The program involves helping the participants learn about the
human heart.
- The participants share lodging, meals , and participate together in various Social, Sports, Cultural and other activities and events.
- The Lutheran Schools have been participating in this project for at least 4 years.
More on Specific Examples Related to Peace Education, Conflict Resolution, Interfaith Dialogue…
The Love Thy Neighbor Project sponsored by the American NGO Love Thy Neighbor
- School kids from the Lutheran School of Hope in Ramallah grades 4, 5 and 10 are involved.
- The project started in 2007 and is ongoing through Summer Camps.
- Overall objective is to promote non-violence through conflict resolution, dialogue, team work, leadership skills training…
More on Specific Examples Related to Peace Education, Conflict Resolution, Interfaith Dialogue…
The Peace Through Sports Project sponsored by “International Sports Leagues”
- Overall objective is to “bring unity to communities in conflict.”- The concept is to make change through sports with emphasis on: respecting and accepting differences, justice & equality, respecting rules, self control, communication skills, team spirit, integrity, democracy… all important ingredients for dialogue and peace. - This is an ongoing project.- 7 countries are involved with Christian & Muslim participants.
The ChallengesA. Israeli Military Incursions, Closures, and Threats of Violence.
B. The Separation Wall & Loss of Income.
C. Loss of Access to Cultural, Religious, and Educational Opportunities.
D. Illegal Israeli Settlements, Loss of Land, and Loss of Water Resources.
E. Lack of Access to Palestinian Lands and to Israeli Settler Only Roads.
F. Palestinian Home Demolitions.
G. Some Behavioral Disturbances Due to the Prevailing SituationG. Some Behavioral Disturbances Due to the Prevailing Situation- Depression - Insomnia -Bedwetting - Nightmares - Phobias - Separation Anxiety - Inability to concentrate…..
Students Art Work Tells the Effects of Life on Palestinian Children
Meeting the challenges* Closures, Blockades, Strikes, Separation Wall• Communication channels between staff and students while at
home (distance learning) • Training staff to handle technical requirements• Challenging Curfews
Meeting the challenges (continued….)* Financial Crisis• Tighter School budgets applied.• No replacements for retiring and/or resigning staff made.• Salary raise freeze for 4 consecutive years (2004 – 2007) applied.• Seeking new partners/supporters.• Strategic Planning and Restructuring carried out to help cope with
crisis. • Raise tuition fees and increase subsidies for poorer students to help
raise local income generation.
Meeting the challenges (continued….)* Stress, Trauma & Violence
To help students cope with trauma & stress:• Structured complementary programs in sports, art, music, and other
areas are integrated into the schools’ programs.
• Hiring Social workers to help deal with trauma.• Improving teachers’ knowledge and skills through relevant in-service
training.• Applying Values education in daily morning assembles and in the
classroom.
• Implementing Christian-Muslim dialogue in the classroom and Christian-Muslim-Jewish dialogue through varied activities and projects outside the classroom
• Encouraging student confidence, creativity, talent and interests.
• Educating for environmental awareness.
• Classroom Based Intervention project (CBI)
- A program where experts trained local staff to introduce therapeutic classroom and outdoors activities that deal with trauma
- Program sponsored by Save the Children – an international NGO - Program applied in 2005 and 2006
Help the children of Palestine to build Windows of Hope through Walls of Separation
Palestine needs Peace not Walls
So pray and work for the peace of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and for the Freedom and Justice of all
God’s people.
Learn more about the ELCJHL Educational Ministry
website: www.elcjhl.org
Or email:Dr. Charlie D. Haddad
ELCJHL Director of Education
email: [email protected]