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international

“...this does not mean that

schools should be morally
quietest: if there is a message

are developing at the International School of that should be articulated
Geneva to consider. They might inspire other
schools and universities to follow a similar path clearly and boldly, it is the belief
to educate in times of conflict.
that human beings are of equal
1. Messaging value and that every human
The first thing to do is to be clear institutionally
what your position is. For international schools, being should be treated with
this should mean being on the side of peace dignity. ”
and not entering into political positioning. It
is for students to make up their minds about
what is happening around them and not for
the institution to tell them what to think, nor
should schools get caught up in making public pre-packaged answers to everything or following
statements that condemn nation states: that is a rigid guide book but understanding certain
not the work of an educational institution but higher order principles, such as those embedded
international tribunals and interstate agencies. in the approach to classroom discussions called
This way, every student feels supported by the philosophy for children, in which students
school and students whose countries are at war are brought to listen to each other's' views
do not feel that they are in a place that is taking considerately and with a view to constructing
sides. However, this does not mean that schools meaning together rather than winning a debate.
should be morally quietest: if there is a message Furthermore, teachers should not be afraid to
that should be articulated clearly and boldly, it is state the facts of a conflict, when those facts are
the belief that human beings are of equal value clearly known but also to explain that in times of
and that every human being should be treated conflict the media influences opinions and that
with dignity. it is not always simple to have a clear picture of
what is actually happening on the ground. At the
2. Caring and sharing International School of Geneva we are designing
Knowing which students and families will be a teacher training module on educating in times
affected, directly or indirectly, by conflict and of conflict with a view to empowering educators
reaching out to them is important so that the from our school and others who might follow
school is doing what it can to ensure the wellbeing the course to face such classroom situations with
of its community members and to understand the principles, strategies and confidence.
difficulties which arise in people’s homes during
conflict. Keying in with families and giving In the final analysis, whatever the conflict and
parents advice on how to have conversations with resulting tensions, we must remember the role
their children about conflict can help to move in of school, which is to ensure the peaceful and
this direction. When families are traumatised by harmonious educational development of all
conflict, schools should be places they can turn children, and to keep the horrors of conflict
to for support. outside of the walls of the institution so that
friendship, kindness and the sort of diplomacy
3. Teaching and learning we wish to see prevail in the world at large can
This is the most challenging area to broach but grow and make a positive difference on people’s
one that is fundamentally important. Teachers lives.
and staff need to be ready to answer difficult
questions, scaffold discussions that are safe and
mediate moments of tension between students,
which might occur when their nation states are at
war with one another. This does not mean having

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