Educating teachers - the X-art programme

Abstract

One of the objectives of the Lebanon project1 is to develop arts provision for children and young people in Palestinian refugee camps in South Lebanon and to promote different forms of art and culture in Lebanese schools. During NMHs engagement in Lebanon we have found that there is a significant shortage of local, qualified personnel capable of teaching music and movement as a school subject or leisure activity. One key objective of the X-art programme has been to help raise skills levels amongst Palestinian and Lebanese teachers and social workers in respect of using music to educate children and adolescents. In addition to skills development in Lebanon, the education programme has also helped raise the professional skills of the Norwegian participants. Participation in X-art has also added valuable skills and experience in terms of how music and other forms of cultural expression can help reduce tensions and differences between different ethnic and religious groups such as the Lebanese and Palestinians.