The Eastern Mediterranean region, with its rich and complex history, presents unique challenges and opportunities in the teaching of history. This expert seminar will bring together educators, researchers, and policy makers in a time of increasing potential for international co-operation in this area to discuss and strategize on the state of history teaching in the region and its role in conflict transformation. This will be done by focusing on the use of educational materials, narratives and teaching practices in this area with a mixed audience to be invited to attend (history didactics experts, historians, policy makers and conflict resolution experts).
The overarching objective of the seminar that is planned to take place on the 13th and 14th of December 2023 is to promote quality education in order to enhance students and teachers to shape quality education for democratic culture. The seminar aims to foster a dialogue on the current state of history teaching in the region exploring possibilities and prospects of bi- and multilateral cooperation between educators in Israel, Palestine, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Lebanon. It will explore how an interdisciplinary approach (into research and practice) of history teaching can contribute to conflict transformation while maintaining academic rigor and integrity. The first day of the conference will be organized and funded by the Observatory on History Teaching in Europe (OHTE) and the second day organized and funded by GEI-EFREC in collaboration with MAKINGHISTORIES and the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR).
One of the key outcomes of the seminar will be a published report. The seminar will also generate specific suggestions for history teaching in the Eastern Mediterranean, contributing to the advancement of history education in the region to be applied in curriculum recommendations and best practice teaching aids which will be developed together with OHTE, AHDR and EFREC.
By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, this seminar will contribute to the advancement of history teaching in the Eastern Mediterranean region and promote the co-operation of countries in this geographical area. It will provide a platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration, with the ultimate goal of promoting peace and understanding through education in this troubled area of the world that shows great potential for future co-operation.
See the programme here.
