Encouraging Youth D&D on the Iraq Crisis
ESR's Revised Guide for Parents & Educators
ESR has posted a new version of their guide, "Talking with Children About War and Violence," and expanded the section of their website focusing on world events. Includes ideas for holding constructive dialogues in class, suggestions for teachers of older students, etc. Go to www.esrnational.org.
Best & Worst Things to Say to Kids about War and Terrorism
Chick Moorman outlines effective and ineffective strategies for communicating with children about war and terrorism. The five best? 1) "What have you been hearing about the war?" 2) "You can watch TV for only 30 minutes, and I want to be present." 3) "What do you suppose it looks like from the other side?" 4) "I don't know what will happen, but I know we'll be able to handle it." 5) "I understand how you could feel that way." The Five Worst: 1) "God is on our side." 2) "We are right and they are wrong." 3) "There is nothing you can do." 4) "You don't know what you're talking about." 5) "There is nothing to worry about." To read more, go to www.crosswalk.com/family/1187496.html.
Iraqi and American Youth ?Meet? Before the War
On March 1st, while world leaders met behind closed doors, 6 young Americans and 7 young Iraqis took part in a historic dialogue. At Downtown Community Television Center (DCTV), a loft in lower Manhattan, and at the Orfali Art Gallery in Baghdad, these youths were able to meet face-to-face. Transcending time zones and national borders they spoke freely as war approached. For more info, or to purchase the program ($30), called "Bridge To Baghdad," go to www.dctvny.org/b2b/index.html. A 10-minute video clip is viewable online. For program information contact Tish Bravo at .
University of Michigan Resources for Teachers
The Center for Research on Teaching and Learning at the University of Michigan offers a list of helpful guidelines for addressing the war in Iraq during classroom discussions. Go to www.crlt.umich.edu.
Online Student Conference Hosted by PoliTalk
PoliTalk hosted a special online Student Conference on Iraq and Its Implications For Transatlantic Relations April 7-18, 2003. 500 students from across North America and Europe participated in this student-to-student discussion about the situation in Iraq and its implications. Former diplomats, NATO officials, and Transatlantic scholars were on hand to help frame the issues and answer questions. The event included small group discussions, expert commentaries, a bulletin board, a live chat, and more. Contact Tim Erickson, NCDD member, for more info (, 651-643-0722).
YouthNOISE Helps Youth Find Common Ground
The "Caught in the Crossfire" campaign of YouthNOISE invites teens, regardless of their divergent opinions on the war in Iraq, to find common ground by writing messages of support to children in Iraq and children of U.S. troops. YouthNOISE also provides resources for teens to learn more about the war, reflect and discuss, create their own fundraiser, and speak-out to share their views. YouthNOISE is an initiative of non-sectarian, nonprofit Save the Children. Contact Eric Rigaud of YouthNOISE at or go to www.youthnoise.com/site/CDA/CDA_Page/0,1004,1312,00.html.
Global Kids Conference on War & Peace
In New York, a leadership-development nonprofit called Global Kids sponsors six- to eight-week classroom programs in Brooklyn and Queens, to prompt students to think critically about war and peace. On March 27, more than 600 middle school and high school students attended a "War and Peace" conference in New York sponsored by Global Kids. Developed and administered entirely by Global Kids students, the explored such topics as the effects of war, children and war, and post-conflict peacebuilding. www.globalkids.org
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