|
|
Society
Peace via Technology
by Anat Cohen
November 20, 2005
 Every summer,
since 2003, a group of Palestinian and Israeli students (girls and boys)
come together at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem for the Middle East
Education through Technology (MEET) project. This MIT-sponsored
education initiative involves learning advanced technological and
leadership tools to create positive social change in the community. But
besides learning computers, MEET has helped students from the two
warring countries bond and understand the others' viewpoint.
 MEET's curriculum was formulated when Yaron Binur and Assaf Harlap,
Israeli students at MIT (US), volunteered to go to Africa in the summer
of 2002. They taught in a programme called AITI, a student-run
initiative to bridge the digital divide in Kenya and teach students
computer science (mainly Java). During their stay in Kenya, the two
thought of a creative and positive way to utilize MIT resources to make
a difference back home in Israel.
Harlap says, "I was motivated by my own frustration of the political,
economic and social situation in Israel and Palestine, and the total
lack of cooperation or joint effort on both sides. On a more personal
level, I've never met Palestinians before I started MEET. I wanted to
change things and I found the most critical, pressing and meaningful way
to do this was to get young Israelis and Palestinians to meet and give
them tools to become better, educated leaders. This would empower them
individually and as a group."
Harlap and Binur succeeded in getting the support of a prestigious
network of business and academic leaders from the Middle East, the
United States and Europe. Launched as a not-for-profit and non-political
grassroots programme, funds for MEET flowed from MIT, the Japanese
government, international conglomerates like Daimler Chrysler & Sun
Microsystems and from the local Israeli and Palestinian business sector.
The Hebrew University granted the project computer labs on its campus.
The Israeli and Palestinian students (some from the camps) who join the
programme dedicate five weeks of their summer vacation to the project.
The MEET students receive a full scholarship, which covers all costs of
the programme, including tuition, teaching materials, transportation and
food.
Harlap says technology was chosen as a means to bridge the gap between
Israeli and Palestinian youth for several reasons: "The technology focus
and the demanding curriculum let the students relate on a professional
basis, undermining their differences. The students learnt to thrive
together as professional team-members in order to achieve their mutual
goals. We believe that only a focus on a neutral professional common
denominator, such as technology, can sustain participant relationships
over a long period of time."
Miri Cohen, 16, an Israeli student, describes the initial tension in his
class. During the first two days, when the two groups were exposed to
each other, "the Israeli and Palestinian boys started arguing about the
complicated situation in the area, accusing each other for the wrongs".
Cohen says, "They reminded me of our politicians on TV. But soon, after
we started learning Java and worked together on mutual computer
projects, their arguments faded and friendship emerged."
Harlap adds, "After three-four days, the students hardly engaged in any
Palestinian/Israeli issue. The problems or relationships reframed around
professional or personal bases rather than national ones. We felt a
professional common denominator - a professional language was an
extremely effective way to promote teamwork and form a bridge between
conflict-torn nations. The success of MEET is the proof that our
countries can find a common language and make peace."
Intisar Salhab, 16, a Palestinian East Jerusalem, agrees. "The first
time I heard about MEET," she says, "was in my school. The MEET project
was presented to me as a computer course for Israelis and Palestinians
taught by MIT instructors. I was quite excited about the idea of being
introduced to new people from different backgrounds. I was even more
interested in participating when I knew that no former knowledge of
programming is required, only English skills and a strong will to learn.
I was lucky I got chosen."
"I think technology is a very useful tool by which Israelis and
Palestinians can connect with each other. Having Palestinian and Israeli
youth working together and trying hard to achieve the same goals leads
to better understanding of the other side and interaction with people
from a different culture," feels Salhab.
Cohen says that the Israeli and Palestinian girls in the group created
much more meaningful relationships and deeper friendships than the boys.
"The boys," says Cohen, "were more focused on the technological goal,
while the girls were more involved with the social aspect of the project
as well. I feel besides the technological know-how that I received from
the MIT instructors, I gained wonderful friends from East Jerusalem,
like Intisar. Before MEET, I would never have never dreamt of having
Palestinian friends. I also met inspiring MIT instructors, who exposed
me to new skills and cultures," says Cohen.
Salhab agrees: "Everybody got in touch with the others within the group.
All the students worked as a team. However, more girls than boys forged
serious friendships. I believe women can play a very important role in
the peace process. Women usually tend to care about understanding other
people and their opinions. This helps in taking the first step of
finding a solution that fits each country's needs," says Salhab.
Benji Sterling, 24, an MIT instructor for the class of 2005, says his
motivation to be part of MEET came from the desire to contribute to the
development process of the Middle East; visit and learn about this part
of the world; and to improve his teaching skills. "I have not
experienced teaching such a motivated group in the US. I have taught in
American public schools before, and my experience in MEET was much more
fun and rewarding. Israeli and Palestinian kids were respectful to the
teachers, but in different ways. The Israeli students' style was more
akin to the American style - less formal, more joking."
"Personally," says sterling, "I gained appreciation for both sides
involved in the Middle East conflict and appreciation for the beauty of
the region in general. It was an incredible experience."
By arrangement with
Women's Feature Service
Top
| Society
The Week of November 20, 2005
Law of Karma by Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi
Why Am I Here? by Shefali Burns
Global Threats,
Local Responses by Rajinder Puri
When will India get over Its Awe of White Skin?
by Kusum Choppra
The PM who
Placed India on Fast Trace to Global Power Status by Dr. Subhash Kapila
All You Who Seek Sleep Tonight by
Susan Philip
Gender Equality or Encashment of the Last Human
Resource by Kusum Choppra
Credibility of University Courses:
Uniform
Evaluation is the Answer by Prof. Raja Mutthirulandi
Caste System in Hinduism: A Historical and
Analytical Approach by Dr. RK Lahiri, PhD
India's African Past by Fatima Chowdhury
Goa and Garbage by Lionel Messias
Peace via Technology by Anat Cohen
Poet, Poetry and the Native Land by Alipta Jena
Footsoldiers Ask for a Better Deal by
Kathyayini Chamaraj
Brazil: Waiting for Their Land of Freedom by
Marlinelza B de Oliveira
At Peace in Conflict Zone
Child Warriors of Kashmir by Prakriiti Gupta
Shedding Light on the Dark Continent by Aparna
Sharma
Main, Meri Patni aur Woh by Kusum Choppra
A Second Lesson by NS Murty
Insanity by Anu Chopra
|
|
