For over three years, violent conflict has devastated Yemen, leading to many lives being lost and causing massive amounts of destruction. But through all of this, there are still sparks of hope.
In November 2017, we launched Peace Education in Yemeni High Schools. Partnering with the Ministry of Education in Aden and Lahj governorates, we began working with teachers and students in eight high schools toaddress violence among youth and provide alternative paths to self-determination and expression.
To strengthen young people’sresilience to violence, we first engaged secondary school teachers, increasing their knowledge about providing conflict sensitive and nonviolent education for students. Aside from training teachers in dialogue, facilitation, and nonviolent communication, educators also learn how to pass on these methods to their students, helping them learn to resolve conflict amicably and become positive agents of change.
Only eight months after launching this project, The Elders, a group of global leaders working together to promote peace and human rights and founded by Nelson Mandela, honored us. As part of a celebration in Johannesburg, South Africa, taking place on the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s Birth, The Elders selected 100 “Sparks of Hope.” These are initiatives that advance Nelson Mandela’s commitments to peace, health, justice, and equality.Additionally, The Elders also recognized our programs in Nigeria and South Sudan, making us the only organization to be selected three times.
As Peace Education in Yemeni High Schools progresses, we will continue to expand the number of educators, school directors and inspectors, and students involved. Thus far, our team has conducted a Training of Trainers for 44 educators, including 17 female educators. Additionally, we have created a Student Mediation Club manual, a tool that teaches young people mediation skills and advises them on how to form their own mediation clubs.
But we are not stopping there. Currently, we are establishing school-based Trust Funds that will allow students and teachers to initiate youth-led community projects. Our complementary Mubadaraty project, meaning “My Initiative”, also allows participants to develop their own projects for promoting peacebuilding in schools and communities through various activities like sports games, communal TV-viewings, and evening classes.
You can listen to our CEO Shamil Idriss speak during the ceremony alongside Ugandan peace activist and Search partner Victor Ochen here (from 0.51.50 – 1.08.45).
Peace Education in Yemeni High Schools is funded by French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.