'My Journey in Life' Character Education Programme, Using Arabic Textbooks, Explained to School Teachers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of the West Bank
Dr. Ghassan Abdullah, the Director and Founder of CARE (Centre for Applied Research in Education), held three training workshops in three different geographical areas in the West Bank. They targeted teachers and members of school parents’ councils. The first two training workshops had 20 or more participants, and the last, in Jenin, had over 50 participating.
1. Hebron University 6/12/2021
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2. Tulkarm Palestinian Technical University (Khadoury) 09/12/2021
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3. Arab American University, Jenin 23/3/2022 Mr. William Haines also addressed the audience about the background of the project. (54 educators attended)
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Universal Peace Federation-UK (UPF-UK) agreed to provide the financial support that was fundraised by Mr William Haines to CARE - Centre for Applied Research in Education, in order 'to support Teacher Training Workshops to educate teachers (both female & male) from Arabic-speaking schools in the Middle East region, starting with the West Bank, in the use of the My Journey in Life textbooks that are the product of previously sponsored projects. The training will focus not only on the courageous vision presented in the two volumes, but also on techniques and approaches to conveying such qualitative content which fits fully with CARE's vision and mission towards reaching a sustainable impact that will promote the '4 Ds values': Democracy, Dignity, Diversity and Dialogue skills' explained, Dr Ghassan Abdullah.
CARE - Centre for Applied Research in Education, Palestine Reg. No. 511 59343-6 (Palestinian legislation and International Conventions reg. no. 7-25/106) CARE was established in 1989, through the initiative of educationalists and intellectuals. It is a nonprofit, voluntary institution whose objective is to initiate and promote activities that lead to the development of a democratic, civic society.
Three books (two 'My Journey In Life' textbooks plus a training manual) have been translated into Arabic, edited and adapted for use, first in Palestinian schools and then to other Arabic speaking schools.
CARE began cooperation with Mr William Haines in 2017 to translate, edit and distribute the first volume of 'My Journey in Life' free of charge. This was a project of IEF (International Education Foundation). With positive feedback from school teachers, parents and the General Association of Palestinian Public Libraries further volumes of 'My Journey in Life' were translated into Arabic, published in 2018 and 2019 and some were distributed free of charge to the same groups particularly focussing on disadvantaged areas.
These textbooks are ready to be introduced further into Palestinian schools. Dr Abdullah is well respected in the region and has many contacts in the educational system and a lot of experience working within it. The books will be introduced later to the Education Ministries in other countries in the Middle East.
Participants in the workshops received the three volumes of My Journey in Life, as well as 'Teaching Against Hate' and 'The Turtles Strategy in Non-Violent Conflict Resolution' in their learning kit.
The Al Bireh Municipal Library
Positive feedback was forwarded by the Public Library at Al Berih Municipality for the books. The Al Bireh Municipal Library thanked CARE for trusting them with the distribution of the textbooks to the library and for the trust to distribute them to other public and school libraries in the region.
I have seen the book "My Journey in Life - Training Guide for Trainees" in its third part, issued by CARE Center in 2020, which included many important interventions in several areas, including sex education, physical and social growth, children's thinking education, family education, teaching ethics, and philosophies: life, religion, spirit, and human nature.
The book, in general, aims to train teachers to teach courses in their schools in an interesting, interactive, and practical manner, through cooperative education and calls for dialogue and tolerance, which undoubtedly lead to the maintenance of civil peace and the avoidance of violence in all its forms by peoples.
Book distribution:
The Beer Library distributes CARE Center books in more ways than one, as follows:
1- Indexing copies of them on their electronic system is accurately indexed to become available on its website.
2- Through cooperation with the Palestinian Library and Information Association.
3- Through cultural paths to the schools of the city, the province and the suburbs of Jerusalem, these schools are dedicated to the arts. Some of their students received copies of these books.
4- Dedication to public libraries.
5- A dedication to participants in Beer library programs and competitions.
6- Circular on the cultural department page of institutions wishing to obtain copies of these books.
With all due respect,
Amer Awadh Allah
Director of the Cultural Department Municipality of Al-Bireh
28/2/2022