Our Common Humanity
The Humanity Project is a nonprofit group based in the United States near the southern tip of Florida, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The organization is dedicated to finding ways for people to work together for a greater good. The group does this by teaching cooperation and social connection as methods to solve problems in the world, with innovative programs for both children and adults.
The Humanity Project’s founder and president, Bob Knotts, visited Egypt for the first time in April and May this year, shortly after the revolution. He felt inspired to talk to so many Egyptians about that great moment in Egypt’s long history. But he also returned home with the belief that the two cultures needed to open a better dialogue – as people, as human beings. Now the Humanity Project and E-ERA have begun a joint effort to help accomplish this goal: a monthly blog and photo exchange. E-ERA and the Humanity Project believe that society on both sides of the sea can improve if more Americans and Egyptians understand that everyone basically is the same, whatever the religious beliefs or customs or culture. Each person is a human being. These blogs and pictures are about things that will help more Americans to see the human side of Egypt and also help more Egyptians to recognize the humanity of Americans. Future blogs for E-ERA will focus on the Humanity Project’s work to prevent violence against children, for example, and to teach adults how they can do more to help others. Humanity Project readers already are enjoying the first blog and photos posted on the group’s website by E-ERA. You can find it at this link: http://thehumanityproject.com/2011/09/07/shared-value-egyptian-style/. E-ERA’s executive director, Dalia Khalil, as well as E-ERA’s Sandra Nasr, are coordinating this exchange along with the Humanity Project’s founder. Both organizations believe sharing experiences in that way will allow more people in Egypt and the United States to bridge cultural differences and see that we are all one, a single humanity. (Find out more about the Humanity Project at www.thehumanityproject.com)
Close Up Program
In collaboration with the US Embassy in Egypt, E-ERA implemented the Close Up program in 9 governorates (Cairo, Alex, Port Said, Beni Suef, Fayoum, Minia, Assuit, Qena and Aswan) which was an interactive opportunity between alumni from ECA Exchange programs and Access alumni and students. Close Up was an attempt to bridge the gap in knowledge, skills and attitudes between generations, programs, governorates and nations. It promoted the spirit of giving back, sharing experiences and learning from best practices.
Through peer-to-peer methods, Close Up volunteers (alumni ECA Exchange programs) shared with the beneficiaries (Access alumni and students) their technical and cultural experiences in the US, lessons learnt and personal reflections. Also, participants trained the beneficiaries on their areas of expertise or interests through the program’s disciplines (e.g. Technology, ICT, Leadership, Cultural Understanding, Challenges, How to Translate, First Aid, Educational Games, Diving, Trips to learn about the Egyptian Monuments and English Language learning and teaching).
iEARN Egypt Capacity Building summer 2011
Event: Capacity Building Training
Period: From September 12th to September 14th
Place: Y Hotel, 74 Gomhuria Street, Ramssis, Cairo
Event summary:
- First day: In the first, day we started with an ice breaking game to refresh the students and make us know each other better. After that, we gave a session on self-confidence, open minded thinking and perception differences. After the lunch break, we had a big game to decide on the goals for the next year and the hopes and dreams of students for iEARN Egypt 2011-2012, and also to confirm the iEARN spirit within each student. Afterwards we finished with a session on deep dialogue and dialogue steps and rules to help the students to be able to engage in effective dialogues.
- Second day: In the second day, we started off with a Motivation video and feedback on the first day, then we gave a session on team building and effective teamwork. Afterwards we gave the students a session on fund raising basics and rules. Then the students divided themselves on the different iEARN Egypt teams and meeting to put on goals for the next year. And then we closed the day off with a session on school visits and what to prepare and expect when making a school visit.
- Third day: We started the day off with the students practicing on school visits and getting feedback on their performance and giving them some hints on presentation skills and body language. Then we gave a session on leadership skills and motivation skills. And then after the lunch break we gave a session on media with a purpose and how to use media to solve problems. After that we announced the team leaders and each team leader gave a short speech with their plans for the next year. Then we had a meeting of the projects team and setting off on our work in the next period regarding schools and projects. And we had a reflection from each member on the capacity building and their expectation for next year closing the day with a group photo.