STUDENT PROGRAMS

Student Workshops

Geopolitical conflict has always existed and will continue to exist in the world, stressing the need to impart 'preventative diplomacy' skills to all global citizens. Axis of Hope seeks to teach these skills to both youth and educators in the United States and in areas of conflict – or potential conflict - throughout the world.

In the United States, students are unfortunately often graduating from high school with little to no “global street smarts”, or preventive diplomacy skills, or they have been afforded little or no opportunity to form deep and lasting empathy and compassion for others in areas of conflict. These are traits that our workshop participants develop, to effectively apply in their daily lives.

Components of Student Workshops

• Review and discussion of the case study.
  
• Instruction in conflict analysis, management and prevention. 
  
  • Explanation of the difference between “raw” and “refined” diplomacy.
• Division into groups to play specific sides within the case study.
  
  • Negotiation exercises which divide groups into “negotiation pods” in an attempt to find a possible resolution to special issues including security, education, health care and more.
• Reflection and debriefing at the end of the workshop.
  
  • Reflections may include writing an op-ed article about the conflict together for a local newspaper, or drafting a proposal to elected officials addressing the issue discussed.

How to Get Involved

A typical student workshop schedule can be found here. Axis of Hope holds Student Workshops locally at your school upon request. If you are interested in scheduling a Student Workshop or if you would like more information, please email workshop@axisofhope.org or call (617) 353-4794.