SUMMARY:
The Promoting Peace Education and Dialogue in Israeli and Palestinian Centers of Learning (PPED) started in September 2007 and is planned to end in September 2009. Seeds of Peace, a renowned non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering young leaders in regions of conflict with leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence, received a $531,000 grant from USAID to support this activity. The program introduces communication skills, respect for diversity, cross-cultural understanding, dialogue, critical thinking, respectful and peaceful methods of dispute resolution, leadership and civic engagement into Israeli and Palestinian communities.
Through this project, SOP increases the number of educators in the region dedicated to promoting the values, concepts and skills described above. The program is divided into two sections, each with three components.
Peace Education Training:
Teaching tolerance in Israeli and Palestinian schools
SOP, with the cooperation of regional and American faculty, work with approximately 20 Palestinian and 20 Israeli educators developing action plans, introducing new methods and new curriculum into their schools, and training other educators.
Peaceful learning environments in the West Bank
Six 3-day workshops per year are held for approximately 25 Palestinian educators to promote peaceful learning environments in the West Bank.
Cross-border bi-national workshops to exchange best practices Two 3-day cross-border workshops per year bring together approximately 40 Palestinian and Israeli educators to share experience and knowledge and to strengthen the cross-border network of educators dedicated to the objectives of this project.
Peace Education Outreach
Seeds Café
Each month Seeds of Peace organizes a forum in Jerusalem to present and discuss cultural and political issues relevant to Palestinians, Israelis and the international public.
Winter and Summer Camps for Children in the West Bank Palestinian Seeds of Peace educators and youth organize two camps each year in the West Bank. Each camp brings together approximately 50 Palestinian children, aged 10 - 12, from across the West Bank.
Educational Materials for Peace Education Outreach
Seeds of Peace educators, program alumni and staff create and disseminate The Olive Branch newsletter and The Olive Branch Teacher’s Guide to Palestinian and Israeli schools and communities to promote and encourage peaceful dialogue and interaction.
Key Program Highlights:
• Palestinian and Israeli educators carry out meaningful discussions while having fun and sharing experiences.
• Palestinian children from across the West Bank learn about one another in a peaceful environment.
• Palestinian young people in their teens and twenties work together, exercise leadership skills, build their communities, and organize and staff the camp for the younger children.
• Palestinian educators, parents, and young people from across the West Bank reach into the community and work together. |
