Upcoming Events

The Middle East in Transition, Spring 2011

Register | Curriculum

In light of the changes sweeping across the Arab world, the Research Journalism Initiative, the Center for Global Education and TakingITGlobal are proud to present “The Middle East in Transition,” a three-part videoconference series that will provide young people in the United States and Canada a unique and powerful look into the lives of their counterparts in our region. The experiences, perspectives and insight of youths living in the Middle East are a critical component in ensuring an accurate, holistic understanding of the unprecedented developments unfolding all around us. Youths from the West Bank, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, the United States, and Canada will come together in a multi-point digital videoconference to explore first hand experiences, opinions and analysis of the root causes and impacts of these events.

DVC #1: The Problem (Current) - March 15th, 2011; (17:00-18:30 Jerusalem)

  • Looking at current events in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen and others
  • Understanding the root causes of conflict and uprising, such as poverty, civil liberties, women's rights and more
  • Guests will include a variety of experts in the field with focus on current events in their own countries
  • Students can explore reverberations throughout the region, including Palestine and Israel

DVC #2: The Causes (Historical) - April 7th, 2011; (18:00-19:30 Jerusalem)

  • Investigating the underlying trends that are leading to upheaval
  • Discussing key events of the last generation which have set the stage for these transitions
  • Guests will include a variety of "experts," with focus on key historical events in their own countries
  • Students can explore the impact of these historical events in other regional countries, such as Palestine

DVC #3: Collaborative Solutions (Future) - April 13, 2011; (18:00-19:30 Jerusalem)

  • Experts will contribute their experience and students will share their needs, concerns and visions for the future
  • Schools will collaborate in smaller groups during the DVC to present their priorities and articulate a vision of change
  • Civil Society leaders will help provide students a concrete sense of how to put their ideas into action and demonstrate what students can do from outside to engender long-term sustainable change (i.e. understanding their ability to influence U.S. foreign policy)