The Importance of Expression in Learning.
Second Meeting: Amman, Jordan, 20-23 April, 2000.
The idea of Amman’s meeting was a very simple one; continuation of the forum and its philosophy which is to regain life (in the meaning of interacting with people and nature) as a concept, a subject, a source and a norm, to express it in the learning process, and to regain responsibility and diversity as two essential values in the process, as without them, education looses its meaning, efficiency and humanity, because meaningful effective education begins with the learner’s life, experiences and expressions.
Originally this is the basic idea of the AEF. What we stressed on in the 2nd meeting was bringing out different forms of expression as people participating in the Forum actually live, such as a key issue in life that is still neglected in learning and education institutions in most of the world, including Arab countries. We also focused on the necessity and importance of regaining the ability to express in all stages of the field of education.
24 people from 7 Arab countries attended this meeting, and 16 proposals were presented about different experiences related to the forum’s main subject.
Participants and summary of proposals:
Munir Fasheh: Director of AEF; spoke about freedom of thought and expression Vs. liberating though and expression. Based on his experience of the first Palestinian Intifada and working in universities and with youth, Dr. Fasheh stresses the need to redefine the words that define the way we think as one way of liberating our expressions and minds.
Wassim Kurdi: Writer and editor working at Abdul Mohsen Qattan Foundation in Ramallah, presented his experience in discovering drama and its impact on language, and his vision on how it can be used to ensure that language become “our own” and our bodies also become “our own” means of expression.
Samar Doudin: Drama in education expert working in Amman, Jordan, talked about the history of her involvement in drama and specially her experience in working with young students at Alahliyya School in Amman.
Abdul Razaq Nassar: Teacher at Dhahran Schools in Saudi Arabia, talks about his experience in teaching creative writing amongst students.
Ibtesam Yassin: Of the Fatat Elkhaleej Society in Al-Khubar, Saudi Arabia, presents her experience over the span of 23 years in early childhood education in terms of training teachers and working with the children on developing expression under difficult circumstances.
Yaacoub El Hajji: Of the Kuwait Center for research, spoke about the lost heritage of seas voyages and sea trade in Kuwait following the oil revolution in the 40s.
Jalela Shujaa’ ed Din: Principle of Zeid Al Mushiki School in Taaz, Yemen, presents her experience as school principle and the way she mobilized the students, teachers and parents to become a support system for each other and for the school.
Ahlam Abdul Malek: Student at Zeid Al Muhiki School in Taaz, Yeemen, spoke about her experience in child-to-child program.
Zahra Hussain: Of the Kuwait Association for the Advancement of Arab Children, presented her experience in using verbal expressions and language to solve psychological problem that young children might face.
Saddi Hadeethy: Iraqi poet and singer and specialist in traditional music, presented his unique knowledge and experience in acquiring his talent as singer and poet of desert poetry and music.
Hala Hammad: Expert in child development presented her experience in developing curricula in Saudi Arabia and her vision of child development and education.
Najah Salti: Supervisor of Arabic language section at the Dhahran School for girls presented her experience first as school principle in Jordan then as teacher and supervisor at the Dhahran schools and the transformation of her vision and work because of it.
Dimitri Khodr: Of Beirut D.C Association in Lebanon, speaks about a media that can maintain human dignity, and showed some films produced by the association to be an alternative of commercial films.
Serene Huleileh: Of Tamer Institute and Alfunoun dance group in Palestine, links between her experience in working with youth on a long-term writing project and teaching dance and Popular Dabkeh and how both means of creative expression develop character and contribute to learning.
Anas Al Ailieh: Of the Educational Network in Ramallah, Palestine, speaks about his personal experience as a member of the editorial team of (Yaraat), a weekly page and monthly supplement in Al Ayyam daily newspaper in Palestine, edited by Tamer Institute for Community Education.
For more information please visit the following web page in our website: www.almoultaqa.com/amman00.htm, or refer back to the book that documents the second meeting under the name of “Qeematu Kulli Imri’en Ma Yuhsen: Proceedings of The Second Annual Meeting”, issued by the Regional Office of the Arab Education Forum. Edited by Serene Huleileh