Exhibitions and events in high schools on (non-) human rights in Palestine
Duration
From 1:00 to 2:00. Ideally, 2 hours.
Location
Typically, these events take place at schools or other organizations that have requested them.
Objectives
This educational activity is designed to help students and teaching staff place the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within its legal, political, and humanitarian context—at the local, regional, and international levels—in order to explore the issues at stake and test different ways of understanding it. The goal is to gain a better understanding of a conflict that has lasted for decades, one that is often misunderstood and very often distorted by preconceived notions and stereotypes.
The goal, therefore, is also to enable young people to develop their critical thinking skills and gradually form their own opinions on international relations, particularly regarding the situation and dynamics in the Middle East.
Program
– How is your business organized, and what does your schedule look like?
– First, guided tours of the exhibition «Palestine: A Land Without Human Rights,» featuring numerous «stop-and-think» moments and discussions with the students
– second, interactive activities in the classrooms using a PowerPoint presentation (and/or a documentary film) on the topic, with discussions between students and facilitators
– In both cases, preliminary contact with the teachers allowed the facilitators to assess any prior knowledge the students might already have and to ensure that follow-up would take place in class.
Methodological approaches
There are several complementary approaches to addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
– «macro» approach, cause and effect: by reviewing historical facts and placing them in a chronological context, we clarify which is the ’chicken« and which is the »egg«
– Legal approach: overview of the overall legal framework: international law and UN resolutions
– A humanistic and personalized approach to everyday life: most of the facilitators have worked in the field, resulting in a unique approach based on each facilitator’s personal experience. This deliberately individualized approach aims, through the sharing of personal stories, to encourage young people to take a greater interest in—and eventually become involved in—the field of human rights.
Remarks
Justice is a prerequisite for peace. And peace is a prerequisite for development. This explains our approach of working first and foremost for justice and, therefore, the rule of law.
Topics covered during the activity:
– Global level: international law and human rights in particular
– Local/national level: occupation and colonization, two facets of the same political system and their differences