Wednesday, March 31, 2004
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Wednesday, March 31, 2004 |
SCHS students work on conflict resolutionStudents of the Sub-Saharan African Studies classes at Sandy Creek High had a unique opportunity to engage in conflict resolution for war-torn Northern Uganda. At the request of teacher Marlene Holland, the Carter Center custom tailored a program specifically geared toward the classes’ curriculum. The present conflict in Northern Uganda was used as the focal point for having the students seek improvements and solutions to fighting in that country. The students utilized similar resolution strategies as those employed by former President Jimmy Carter and the Conflict Resolution Program in North Korea, Haiti, Bosnia, Liberia, Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia-Eritrea. While most students visiting the Carter Center simply tour the museum, those from Sandy Creek received an invaluable learning experience by interacting with experts in the field and participating in role-playing sessions. “This experience was an educational dream,” said Principal Roy Rabold, who happens to be a former social studies teacher. “I know that our students benefited tremendeously.” A total of 54 students took part in the three-hour program that was developed by the center’s Conflict Resolution Staff headed by Jeffrey Mapendere, senior program associate, and Carter Center interns Nealin Parker, Joshua Roberts, Robert Romig, Katherine Seto, Eriko Nishimura and Cecily Brewer. This type of activity is rare for the center. Only two other similar programs have been conducted in the past year, according to Program Assistant Cassandra Grant who initially worked with Holland to create the program. Grant says she was impressed with the students’ knowledge of current affairs and the stimulating questions that they raised. She also commends Holland for inspiring students to have an interest in international affairs. “Their discipline speaks volumes for Sandy Creek and its staff. I was also very impressed by how passionate Mrs. Holland is about what she does and the impact it has on her students’ future,” said Grant.
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