A regional workshop for teachers and educators was held inAmman,Jordanfrom 6 – 10 February 2007 under the aegis of the GNRC Arab States, the Interfaith Council on Ethics Education for Children and the Ecumenical Studies Centre.
Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan said that all religions in their different contexts espoused and promoted the dignity of all human beings.
Her Royal Highness decried the wanton violence, hatred and bloodshed carried out in the name of religions, stating that it was mainly the children who paid the price for these mindless actions.
She underscored the need to focus on teachers and educators who in turn will pass on these values and teachings to children and students.
Ms. Ucko added that children were involved in order to empower them to develop their spirituality and learn to live in solidarity with people from other religions and civilizations. Twenty students joined the team of educators and teachers during the workshop.
Rev. Dr. Qais thanked His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal for his continued support to the Council as the Honorary Advisor.
On the second day, the participants learned how to prepare workshops, planning and delivery of sessions, context realities, methodology and activities to use. Twenty students joined in on the third day for experience-based training.
The trainers during the workshop were Mrs. Riham Kawar from Jordan, Sr. Emilie Tannous from
Lebanon, Mrs. Agneta Ucko from Switzerland and Dr. Mustafa Ali from Kenya.The Ethics education toolkit has so far been tested in most regions of the world including Sweden in the Nordic Countries, Colombia in Latin America, Switzerland in Europe, India in South Asia, Tanzania in Africa, Japan and Spain. This was the first training workshop for teachers and educators focusing on the school community.
