Interview of participating teachers

- Why do you want to take part in this project?

Emil Haloun:
I wish to participate in this special project in order to contribute my part as a teacher to this mission, i.e. Conflict transformation. The concept of conflict transformation implies that human beings are not doomed to endless repetition of historical hostilities. It is possible to respond in new, unexpected ways that break patterns of destructive behavior and the cycles of retaliation. We, Arab Israelis: Druze, Muslims and Christians are willing to function as a bridge for peace in this region. I believe that this is one of the new perspectives one may gain.

Hava Roth:
I have been involved for fifteen years with NGOs bringing together Palestinians and Israelis to find ways for coexistence. The opportunity of becoming active again through this educational project, together with Palestinian and French teachers, and to witness its implementation among students of different nationalities, is really interesting to me.

I believe in the force that young people embody. They are permeated with an genuine, creative spirit, and they can bring us closer to the long-awaited “revolution”, to coexistence, understanding and peace, between the different people concerned with the project. I believe my knowledge of these matters and my background to be a positive asset in contributing to this project.

Nadia Hassiri: Read the text in French

- What would you like to transmit and pass on to your students?

Emil Haloun:
As a teacher I wish to both encourage and push my students to share their personal story with “others.” This project would grant them a stage to express themselves as well as to be exposed to new students from various backgrounds, a fact which enables them to look at themselves and each other in a new way. Moreover, the process will certainly enrich them with tools to shape and construct their identity.

Hava Roth:
The eventual meeting between my students and their Palestinian and French peers, would play a predominant part in the development of their own personality, of their critical mind, of their ability to grasp and evaluate events as adults.

Indeed, being confronted with the “other” would stimulate their curiosity, their sensitivity, their feeling of humanity. Those are rational as well as emotional abilities, that are deeply needed if we are to work in an environment of respect and harmony. All these elements aim at prepare those youngsters to live their life as mature, educated, liberal, open-minded adults, who will be able to make decisions pertaining to their own future.

Nadia Hassiri: Read the text in French

- What themes do you plan on exploring?

Emil Haloun:
The themes that I would like to explore with my students are the following:  to identify common concerns: People in conflict get to caught up in the heat of disagreement that they often lose perspective of the total picture. The process that we will go through with will enable the students (from all sides in the far future) can become a moderating force by reminding them of things they agree on or have in common. This will help them to concentrate on important things /topics they wish to explore themselves such as the topic of Identity (mentioned before). After all, the workshops will not be imposed on them, I would like them to “navigate” and reach the things they wish to learn more about.

Hava Roth:

• personal identity
• national identity
• the weight of the past as they envision it
• the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• the part culture takes in modeling peoplehood
• respect toward the “other”
• the art of conflict management

Nadia Hassiri: Read the text in French

- A section of the association’s website is set to be a platform of communication aimed creating bonds between the students: how do you plan to use this platform?

Emil Haloun:
I believe that the whole process could quickly become attractive for the students with the help of nowadays technology which they are very professional with. Through the website they can also meet and know the students. This step will help all the students involved in the project to share their thoughts, opinion and comments on the process.

Hava Roth:
Here are some ideas to create connections between students: they could share pictures and information pertaining to their own personality, their family, their country, their culture (favorite writers, songs, movies and so on).
They could also exchange ideas and opinions about recent news headlines.

Nadia Hassiri: Read the text in French