Mohammed Rasooldeen | Arab News
RIYADH: The British Council, under the umbrella of Social Partnership Projects, runs two large-scale programs, Springboard and Global Changemakers.
Springboard, a women’s self-development program, was introduced to Saudi Arabia in December 2004 as part of the British Council’s plans to develop women’s activities. It has attracted more than 600 Saudi women, all of whom found the program extremely beneficial in boosting their confidence and helping them to further develop their personal and working lives.
The program’s topics included understanding yourself; identifying your values; confidence building; setting goals; networking and support; assertiveness and work life balance.
“Springboard was a turning point in my life. In the past, my mind was full of worries and fear for the future. Springboard filled my inner soul with hope and desire to start a new life with a set of fixed goals to achieve,” one of Springboard’s participants said.
Several success stories that reflect the practical experience in the personal and work life of Springboard participants have emerged, illuminating the path for achieving self-recognition, and preparing the way for more successes.
At the same time, the Global Changemakers project, introduced to Saudi Arabia by the British Council, aims at enhancing the capacity of future leaders to meet global challenges. It links young community and future influencers from diverse backgrounds around the world in a sustainable global network. The participants are emerging talents, aged 16 to 25, who are committed to positive social change in their communities.
Joud Kashgari, an 18-year-old Saudi political science and economics student at the American University in Cairo, is among a group of 60 participants who attended the Guildford forum, representing Saudi Arabia, in the UK in January, 2009. The participants coming from different backgrounds and cultures shared their enthusiasm at Guildford and discussed challenging issues such as climate change, education, intercultural conflict and the devastating impact of poverty.
Additionally, Yazeed Al-Mujali, a 22-year-old global changemaker working at King Saud University as a teaching assistant, participated in the London Summit in April, 2009. Yazeed is one of a group of 20 activists — one representing each of the G-20 economies — all members of the British Council’s Global Changemakers network. The young people shared knowledge, ideas and best practices, and worked individually and together on projects that directly impact the lives of those in their local communities. “1001 School Links” project started in Saudi Arabia in 2006 with 12 private schools on board. The schools from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam formed six partnerships with UK schools and showed great enthusiasm to work on the project. They have continued to lead on the program.
“This year to celebrate the successes of the Connecting Classrooms partnerships between schools in the UK and the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, a regional conference on Internationalism in Education was held in Kuwait at the end of March 2009,” Jim Scarth, director of the British Council in the Kingdom, said.
He added that the two-day conference was a valuable opportunity for the council to explore with its partners on common issues affecting schools in the UK and the Middle East and to look forward to the future for Connecting Classrooms as we work to strengthen its impact and reach in the Middle East.
“It wasn’t the first time we collaborated with the British Council when the 1001 school link project was introduced to our school. The whole idea has not only changed in name but also grew so fast into lots of inspiring experiences for our teachers and students. Connecting Classrooms is really helping all of us with becoming better global citizens,” said Omar Bouhlel, Dhahran Ahliya Schools — Dammam.
During year two of Connecting Classrooms another 11 partnerships were formed between 24 schools in Saudi and 12 schools in the UK. “I heard from colleagues in other schools that participated in the project how successful and motivating it is and therefore I was very happy when the British Council approached my school. I immediately asked the school management if I could be the project coordinator in the school,” said Mazen Bsat, Najd Private Schools, Riyadh.
Connecting Classrooms partnerships brought together “clusters” of three or more schools from the UK and the Saudi Arabia. Teachers and school leaders from partnership schools receive support and professional development opportunities to build skills in leading internationalism in education. Partnership schools initially meet at a Contact Seminar held in the Middle East. Teachers work together to develop joint curriculum project plans so that classes in their respective schools can learn about each other whilst exploring a mutually relevant topic together.
The Connecting Classrooms partnership is school to school. As the partnership matures and embeds, students throughout the school will learn about the cultural differences and similarities of their peers in their partner school. Through Connecting Classrooms, young learners in Saudi and the region and the UK will be supported to become true “global citizens.”
Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
British Council embarks on two major projects
Mohammed Rasooldeen | Arab News
RIYADH: The British Council, under the umbrella of Social Partnership Projects, runs two large-scale programs, Springboard and Global Changemakers.
Springboard, a women’s self-development program, was introduced to Saudi Arabia in December 2004 as part of the British Council’s plans to develop women’s activities. It has attracted more than 600 Saudi women, all of whom found the program extremely beneficial in boosting their confidence and helping them to further develop their personal and working lives.
The program’s topics included understanding yourself; identifying your values; confidence building; setting goals; networking and support; assertiveness and work life balance.
“Springboard was a turning point in my life. In the past, my mind was full of worries and fear for the future. Springboard filled my inner soul with hope and desire to start a new life with a set of fixed goals to achieve,” one of Springboard’s participants said.
Several success stories that reflect the practical experience in the personal and work life of Springboard participants have emerged, illuminating the path for achieving self-recognition, and preparing the way for more successes.
At the same time, the Global Changemakers project, introduced to Saudi Arabia by the British Council, aims at enhancing the capacity of future leaders to meet global challenges. It links young community and future influencers from diverse backgrounds around the world in a sustainable global network. The participants are emerging talents, aged 16 to 25, who are committed to positive social change in their communities.
Joud Kashgari, an 18-year-old Saudi political science and economics student at the American University in Cairo, is among a group of 60 participants who attended the Guildford forum, representing Saudi Arabia, in the UK in January, 2009. The participants coming from different backgrounds and cultures shared their enthusiasm at Guildford and discussed challenging issues such as climate change, education, intercultural conflict and the devastating impact of poverty.
Additionally, Yazeed Al-Mujali, a 22-year-old global changemaker working at King Saud University as a teaching assistant, participated in the London Summit in April, 2009. Yazeed is one of a group of 20 activists — one representing each of the G-20 economies — all members of the British Council’s Global Changemakers network. The young people shared knowledge, ideas and best practices, and worked individually and together on projects that directly impact the lives of those in their local communities. “1001 School Links” project started in Saudi Arabia in 2006 with 12 private schools on board. The schools from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam formed six partnerships with UK schools and showed great enthusiasm to work on the project. They have continued to lead on the program.
“This year to celebrate the successes of the Connecting Classrooms partnerships between schools in the UK and the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, a regional conference on Internationalism in Education was held in Kuwait at the end of March 2009,” Jim Scarth, director of the British Council in the Kingdom, said.
He added that the two-day conference was a valuable opportunity for the council to explore with its partners on common issues affecting schools in the UK and the Middle East and to look forward to the future for Connecting Classrooms as we work to strengthen its impact and reach in the Middle East.
“It wasn’t the first time we collaborated with the British Council when the 1001 school link project was introduced to our school. The whole idea has not only changed in name but also grew so fast into lots of inspiring experiences for our teachers and students. Connecting Classrooms is really helping all of us with becoming better global citizens,” said Omar Bouhlel, Dhahran Ahliya Schools — Dammam.
During year two of Connecting Classrooms another 11 partnerships were formed between 24 schools in Saudi and 12 schools in the UK. “I heard from colleagues in other schools that participated in the project how successful and motivating it is and therefore I was very happy when the British Council approached my school. I immediately asked the school management if I could be the project coordinator in the school,” said Mazen Bsat, Najd Private Schools, Riyadh.
Connecting Classrooms partnerships brought together “clusters” of three or more schools from the UK and the Saudi Arabia. Teachers and school leaders from partnership schools receive support and professional development opportunities to build skills in leading internationalism in education. Partnership schools initially meet at a Contact Seminar held in the Middle East. Teachers work together to develop joint curriculum project plans so that classes in their respective schools can learn about each other whilst exploring a mutually relevant topic together.
The Connecting Classrooms partnership is school to school. As the partnership matures and embeds, students throughout the school will learn about the cultural differences and similarities of their peers in their partner school. Through Connecting Classrooms, young learners in Saudi and the region and the UK will be supported to become true “global citizens.”
RIYADH: The British Council, under the umbrella of Social Partnership Projects, runs two large-scale programs, Springboard and Global Changemakers.
Springboard, a women’s self-development program, was introduced to Saudi Arabia in December 2004 as part of the British Council’s plans to develop women’s activities. It has attracted more than 600 Saudi women, all of whom found the program extremely beneficial in boosting their confidence and helping them to further develop their personal and working lives.
The program’s topics included understanding yourself; identifying your values; confidence building; setting goals; networking and support; assertiveness and work life balance.
“Springboard was a turning point in my life. In the past, my mind was full of worries and fear for the future. Springboard filled my inner soul with hope and desire to start a new life with a set of fixed goals to achieve,” one of Springboard’s participants said.
Several success stories that reflect the practical experience in the personal and work life of Springboard participants have emerged, illuminating the path for achieving self-recognition, and preparing the way for more successes.
At the same time, the Global Changemakers project, introduced to Saudi Arabia by the British Council, aims at enhancing the capacity of future leaders to meet global challenges. It links young community and future influencers from diverse backgrounds around the world in a sustainable global network. The participants are emerging talents, aged 16 to 25, who are committed to positive social change in their communities.
Joud Kashgari, an 18-year-old Saudi political science and economics student at the American University in Cairo, is among a group of 60 participants who attended the Guildford forum, representing Saudi Arabia, in the UK in January, 2009. The participants coming from different backgrounds and cultures shared their enthusiasm at Guildford and discussed challenging issues such as climate change, education, intercultural conflict and the devastating impact of poverty.
Additionally, Yazeed Al-Mujali, a 22-year-old global changemaker working at King Saud University as a teaching assistant, participated in the London Summit in April, 2009. Yazeed is one of a group of 20 activists — one representing each of the G-20 economies — all members of the British Council’s Global Changemakers network. The young people shared knowledge, ideas and best practices, and worked individually and together on projects that directly impact the lives of those in their local communities. “1001 School Links” project started in Saudi Arabia in 2006 with 12 private schools on board. The schools from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam formed six partnerships with UK schools and showed great enthusiasm to work on the project. They have continued to lead on the program.
“This year to celebrate the successes of the Connecting Classrooms partnerships between schools in the UK and the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, a regional conference on Internationalism in Education was held in Kuwait at the end of March 2009,” Jim Scarth, director of the British Council in the Kingdom, said.
He added that the two-day conference was a valuable opportunity for the council to explore with its partners on common issues affecting schools in the UK and the Middle East and to look forward to the future for Connecting Classrooms as we work to strengthen its impact and reach in the Middle East.
“It wasn’t the first time we collaborated with the British Council when the 1001 school link project was introduced to our school. The whole idea has not only changed in name but also grew so fast into lots of inspiring experiences for our teachers and students. Connecting Classrooms is really helping all of us with becoming better global citizens,” said Omar Bouhlel, Dhahran Ahliya Schools — Dammam.
During year two of Connecting Classrooms another 11 partnerships were formed between 24 schools in Saudi and 12 schools in the UK. “I heard from colleagues in other schools that participated in the project how successful and motivating it is and therefore I was very happy when the British Council approached my school. I immediately asked the school management if I could be the project coordinator in the school,” said Mazen Bsat, Najd Private Schools, Riyadh.
Connecting Classrooms partnerships brought together “clusters” of three or more schools from the UK and the Saudi Arabia. Teachers and school leaders from partnership schools receive support and professional development opportunities to build skills in leading internationalism in education. Partnership schools initially meet at a Contact Seminar held in the Middle East. Teachers work together to develop joint curriculum project plans so that classes in their respective schools can learn about each other whilst exploring a mutually relevant topic together.
The Connecting Classrooms partnership is school to school. As the partnership matures and embeds, students throughout the school will learn about the cultural differences and similarities of their peers in their partner school. Through Connecting Classrooms, young learners in Saudi and the region and the UK will be supported to become true “global citizens.”
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Jordan: Latouf highlights importance of women’s empowerment
AMMAN (Petra) - Minister of Social Development Hala Latouf on Tuesday inaugurated a workshop on empowering women leaders in the Middle East. She highlighted Jordan’s programmes to empower women, noting that national strategies need to encourage women’s contributions in different economic activities. Organised by the US-based NGO Seeds of Peace, the workshop aimed at creating a suitable environment to help increase women's participation in political life.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Jordan: WARCATI seeks to educate women on their legal rights
The Jordan Times
By Rana Husseini
AMMAN - The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) on Monday launched the third phase of a project aimed at legally empowering Jordanian women and their children.
The project, “Women and Children's Rights through Access to Information” (WARCATI), uses computer programmes and technology to educate women on their legal rights.
The software will be distributed to women and installed on computers at courthouses, including Sharia courts, JNCW Secretary General Asma Khader said at the launch yesterday.
Implemented by UNDP's Information and Communication Technology for Development in the Arab Region (ICTDAR), WARCATI is a women’s empowerment initiative that uses technology as a tool to give women greater understanding and knowledge of their rights.
It is specifically designed to benefit women in difficult circumstances, such as those in failed marriages who find themselves without any means to support themselves or their children.
The initiative uses ICT to empower women’s support mechanisms by developing relevant legal information in a digital format and disseminating it through CDs, websites, video and audio tapes, and telephone hotlines.
The content, in Arabic, includes full keyword-searchable legal text, as well as information on civil, legal and religious issues relating to family law, including child support payments, marriage, divorce, labour, adoption and custody.
"I hope that this project will ensure the rights of women in the Arab world and that no woman would fall victim to ignorance, fear or violence,” said Ziad Haddara, senior programme officer at ICTDAR. “Then we are certain that we are advancing in the human development field," he added.
The project materials developed in Jordan include CDs, booklets and a website (www.warcati.jo), which contains in-depth information on hundreds of FAQs, legal forms, requests and pleas in digital and printable format.
In addition, there will be training programmes for community workers that assist women in court to guarantee the proper use of the project materials.
Development of the computer software was the third and last phase of the project, which was developed in partnership with ICTDAR and support from the Spanish embassy and began in 2007.
By Rana Husseini
AMMAN - The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) on Monday launched the third phase of a project aimed at legally empowering Jordanian women and their children.
The project, “Women and Children's Rights through Access to Information” (WARCATI), uses computer programmes and technology to educate women on their legal rights.
The software will be distributed to women and installed on computers at courthouses, including Sharia courts, JNCW Secretary General Asma Khader said at the launch yesterday.
Implemented by UNDP's Information and Communication Technology for Development in the Arab Region (ICTDAR), WARCATI is a women’s empowerment initiative that uses technology as a tool to give women greater understanding and knowledge of their rights.
It is specifically designed to benefit women in difficult circumstances, such as those in failed marriages who find themselves without any means to support themselves or their children.
The initiative uses ICT to empower women’s support mechanisms by developing relevant legal information in a digital format and disseminating it through CDs, websites, video and audio tapes, and telephone hotlines.
The content, in Arabic, includes full keyword-searchable legal text, as well as information on civil, legal and religious issues relating to family law, including child support payments, marriage, divorce, labour, adoption and custody.
"I hope that this project will ensure the rights of women in the Arab world and that no woman would fall victim to ignorance, fear or violence,” said Ziad Haddara, senior programme officer at ICTDAR. “Then we are certain that we are advancing in the human development field," he added.
The project materials developed in Jordan include CDs, booklets and a website (www.warcati.jo), which contains in-depth information on hundreds of FAQs, legal forms, requests and pleas in digital and printable format.
In addition, there will be training programmes for community workers that assist women in court to guarantee the proper use of the project materials.
Development of the computer software was the third and last phase of the project, which was developed in partnership with ICTDAR and support from the Spanish embassy and began in 2007.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Kuwait: New steps to empower Kuwaiti women
Kuwait Times
Published Date: April 01, 2009
KUWAIT: A number of female political activists said that the lack of interest shown by some Kuwaiti women for political work indicated there was something wrong with the field and that it needed to be corrected.
The activists maintained that Kuwaiti women must be empowered and that the government must do everything in its power to help women in that cause. The government must also make an effort to discover the failures which have caused Kuwaiti women to not be interested in political work, they said.
The activists released their statements during the fourth session of the Women's Empowerment Center, where a document concerning women's rights and empowerment was prepared. The session was attended by a number of men and women who were interested in the cause last Sunday, Al-Watan reported.
In addition to senior legal and political officials, member of the Transparency Society and Chief of the Women's Empowerment Center Dr Salma Al-Jassar suggested forming a delegation comprised of senior female activists to meet with HH the Amir of Kuwait to ask for support for the women's empowerment project by appointing as many female ministers as possible in the next government.
She added that the project of women's empowerment was adopted in 2005 and that the center has made great efforts to support and empower women. However, it still needed the support and cooperation of other authorities, they maintained.
Published Date: April 01, 2009
KUWAIT: A number of female political activists said that the lack of interest shown by some Kuwaiti women for political work indicated there was something wrong with the field and that it needed to be corrected.
The activists maintained that Kuwaiti women must be empowered and that the government must do everything in its power to help women in that cause. The government must also make an effort to discover the failures which have caused Kuwaiti women to not be interested in political work, they said.
The activists released their statements during the fourth session of the Women's Empowerment Center, where a document concerning women's rights and empowerment was prepared. The session was attended by a number of men and women who were interested in the cause last Sunday, Al-Watan reported.
In addition to senior legal and political officials, member of the Transparency Society and Chief of the Women's Empowerment Center Dr Salma Al-Jassar suggested forming a delegation comprised of senior female activists to meet with HH the Amir of Kuwait to ask for support for the women's empowerment project by appointing as many female ministers as possible in the next government.
She added that the project of women's empowerment was adopted in 2005 and that the center has made great efforts to support and empower women. However, it still needed the support and cooperation of other authorities, they maintained.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Yemen: Workshop on women's role in public life in Hodeidah
[19 March 2009]
HODEIDAH, March 18 (Saba) - The participants in the Role of Women in Public Life workshop called for the implementation of free lessons to eradicate legal illiteracy as well as awareness campaigns on the concept of freedom at girl schools
The participants affirmed in the workshop which was organized by the volunteer initiative "I am for my country" in the celebration of Women's day in Hodeidah, the importance of the protecting women from political exploitation.
They outlined the role of media in raising awareness about the role of women, reversing the negative image toward women and approximation of male and female views to achieve change together. Moreover, they urged correct interpretation of Quranic verses regarding women and buildup of young female capacity.
Thirty participants addressed during the workshop three work papers on embowering women and fighting thoughts leading to poor participation of women.
FJ/FR
Saba
HODEIDAH, March 18 (Saba) - The participants in the Role of Women in Public Life workshop called for the implementation of free lessons to eradicate legal illiteracy as well as awareness campaigns on the concept of freedom at girl schools
The participants affirmed in the workshop which was organized by the volunteer initiative "I am for my country" in the celebration of Women's day in Hodeidah, the importance of the protecting women from political exploitation.
They outlined the role of media in raising awareness about the role of women, reversing the negative image toward women and approximation of male and female views to achieve change together. Moreover, they urged correct interpretation of Quranic verses regarding women and buildup of young female capacity.
Thirty participants addressed during the workshop three work papers on embowering women and fighting thoughts leading to poor participation of women.
FJ/FR
Saba
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