Title
Alwan: School module for religious culture, interfaith relations and coexistence

Summary
Due to the post-war situation and continuous tensions, a large number of Lebanese youth live in closed societies. They are subject to stereotypes, prejudices and generalisations in the way they perceive their own confessional group and those of others. These misconceptions, anchored in Lebanese youth mentality, need to be faced by multiple ways.

As an educational response to this situation, ALWAN attempts to promote amongst Lebanese youth (between ages 14-18) a national culture based on knowledge of the Lebanese cultural and religious diversity, as well as an attitude of respect of difference and foundations for positive interactivity.

Through school workshops, field trips and meeting with peace and bridge-builders, ALWAN:

• helps youth be aware of the mechanism of prejudices they carry and their impact on their lives and social behaviour,
• gives them the basic knowledge of other faiths and helps them see the challenges as well as the chances of living in a multireligious society,
• initiates them to an objective and critical approach of the relation between religion, society and politics within the Lebanese context.

To reach these objectives, a group of 12 volunteers, for the most part young educators, are following a training for trainers provided by ADYAN, in order to spread the program. ADYAN also works on the development of tools to be used by the trainers in the implementation of ALWAN program.

Target population
Students in high schools (secondary classes), between 14 and 18 years old.
ALWAN is carried on in partnership with schools, either private or governmental schools, and with a predominance of one religion in their population or with a religiously mixed population.

Partners
Notre Dame of Nazareth College - Achrafieh (Beirut)

Saints Coeurs -Kfar Hbab

Carmel Saint Joseph- Mechref

Al Kawthar- Airport Road

Al Irfan - Sawfar

Timeframe
Ongoing program.
The schedule of the activities depends on each school's strategy and calendar.

Program coordinator
Nayla Tabbara

Do not hesitate to contact us for further information or potential collaboration.
nayla@adyanvillage.net