Teacher Training in Lebanon

Lebanon July 3 to 5, 2017
By Didi Anandarama

At the AMURT educational project with Syrian children in Lebanon we had a 3-day Teacher’s Training.
To begin each day we had philosophical reflections on ‘family’, ’love’ and ‘struggle’ respectively. This brought forth a lively interactive and connecting flow among the 25 participants.

For example on ‘Family’ the following thoughts came up: Anything to change starts in the family, family is all about loving each other, is peace, is most important, is everything, is security, life, stability, tenderness, respect, strength, a special gift from God, sharing , cooperating, is not only small family and relatives but village, community, the whole world.

The first and second day we dealt with Children’s Rights, based on the resolutions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and the 13 Points resulting from Character-Based Education as researched in the NHE Progressive School of Long Island.

We discussed and each teacher shared their creative and concrete approaches and practices that they would implement towards the specific goals of Children’s Rights and Character Education.The last day was devoted to learning communication skills. This was a lively day with many real life situations and the realization of great need for effective communications in the surrounding societies.

UNCR Children’s Rights

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) set out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.

UNCRC Basic Rights of Children life, survival and development include:

  • Right to protection from violence, abuse or neglect
  • Right to an education that enables children to fulfill their potential
  • Right to be raised by, or have a relationship with, their parents
  • Right to express their opinions and be listened to.
Free Publication from Save the Children on implementing in your program is available here:
http://toolkit.ineesite.org/toolkit/INEEcms/uploads/1101/Getting_it_Right.PDF
Progressive School’s Results of Character-based Education
  • Service
  • Zest for Learning
  • Self-Knowledge
  • Leadership
  • Self-Constructivity
  • Calm Rationality
  • Literacy
  • Self-Confidence
  • Universal Outlook
  • Aesthetic Sensitivity
  • Discriminating Trust
  • Integrity
  • The Joy Factor
You can find details about these here:
http://progressiveli.org/index.php/blackboard/intangible-gains