Example of Axis of Hope Workshop Schedule

7:30-8:00

8:00–8:15

8:15–8:45

8:45–9:15

9:15–9:35

9:35–10:00

10:00–10:20

10:20–10:40

10:40–11:00

11:00–11:20

11:20–12:00

12:00–12:20

12:20–12:40

12:40–1:40

1:40–2:10

2:10-2:30

2:30-5:30

5:30-7:30

Students arrive in conference room / students are split into six predetermined role-play groups which represent disputing factions involved in the conflict. These six different perspectives on the same conflict will each receive their own confidential instructions on their objectives, backgrounds, and relationships with the other five factions. Students should immerse themselves in their new role, becoming comfortable and knowledgeable about the beliefs and motivations of their groups.

Welcome/overview of workshop by Professor Carl Hobert, Founding Director.

Icebreakers and team building exercises. Students must complete set objectives while familiarizing themselves with each other and their environment.

History of Arab-Israeli Conflict lecture by Professor Hobert (including Part 1: PBS Video “Elusive Peace”); introduction to Whose Jerusalem? Case Study; students are also provided with major areas of dispute which will guide negotiations throughout the day.

Role-play groups read their Whose Jerusalem? confidential instructions separately. These outline the individual background, beliefs, motivations, and overall objectives of the factions. The groups then privately discuss their confidential instructions, devise a two-minute summary statement on their stances, and elect a group speaker to relate their summary to the rest of the assembly.

The elected speaker from each group presents his/her faction’s two-minute summary statement. The summary statement is a preliminary overview of the group’s opinions, objectives and attitude towards the negotiations and the areas of dispute.

Role Play: Round 1 of Paired Negotiations – the six role-play groups are split into pairs which must attempt to settle inter-factional concerns and reach an accord. With each new round the pairs are changed and more disputes are revisited while the pairings themselves are designed to become more controversial as the rounds progress.

Role Play: Round 2 of Paired Negotiations

Role Play: Round 3 of Paired Negotiations

Debriefing of morning negotiations

LUNCH (including Part 2: PBS Video “Elusive Peace”)

Role Play: Round 4 of Paired Negotiations

Role Play: Round 5 of Paired Negotiations

Groups come together to author 250-word Mideast Peace Proposal on the major areas of dispute to be sent to President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton *

Negotiation debriefing

Student evaluation of conference

Meeting of interested faculty members/staff/parents

Parent/Trustee Dinner and lecture on Preventive Diplomacy: The New Mideast Roadmap to Peace

* The Peace Proposal will be presented to President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Special Envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, focusing on security, education and health care reform.