Bridges of Understanding supports our partnership with Global Nomads Group in creating the "Youth Talk" program for videoconferences, dialogue, and discussions between US and Arab high schools. This program harnesses the power of digital technology through a unique, interactive platform to engage young people with their peers across the world in an open dialogue about issues that affect both cultures, learning from each other and forming lasting bonds of friendship and mutual respect.
Bridges believes that one of
the best ways to accomplish its mission is to connect young people in
both worlds via technology, recognizing the growing importance of
utilizing new media and technology to provide the tools to connect
youth worldwide - a belief that is reflected in our "Youth Talk"
program. This program pairs schools
from the United States with schools in the Arab world, using
videoconferences and a dynamic curriculum to help build cultural
understanding through open dialogue and project-based learning.
"Youth Talk" was piloted in
2008 by two American high schools and two high schools in Jordan - and
was a huge success. Across the board, students and
teachers alike comment that the program has greatly enhanced their
learning and perspectives, with one teacher noting that "nothing [he
had] ever come up with excited them this much." Please check out the highlights below from two of our pilot year videoconferences!
Following this successful test year, during the 2009-2010 school year the program has expanded to a ten-month interactive videoconferencing program for pairs of Arab and American high schools. This year's initiative involves American schools from across the United States, ranging from Massachusetts to California, and Arab schools from across the Middle East, ranging from Morocco to Qatar.
The curriculum
addresses many issues in government, politics, religion, and culture;
throughout the school year, our goal is to use these monthly "meetings"
to help expand students' knowledge, broaden their perspective, and
develop understanding and friendships. Some of the topics discussed during the 2009-2010 school year include:
Introduction to American and Arab Cultures:
Student Cultural Exchange
Education Reform and Girls and Women's Rights:
American and Arab Perspectives
Political Systems and Foreign Policy Issues: The U.S. and the Middle East
in a Post-9/11 World
Water and Oil Don't Mix: The Fight for Natural
Resources
The Role of Faith in the Lives of American and
Arab Youth
The Role of the U.S. and the Arab World in Middle
Eastern Conflicts
Recent videos are available here, and stay tuned for more information and interviews!
