Workshops 2018
Africa’s North Korea
Elijah Wilhelm De Roche and Snorre Wojnarowicz
Aiming to raise awareness about the oppressive conditions in Eritrea, this workshop will encourage participants to utilize their freedom of expression and communication to analyze the issue critically and catalyze change.
Africa’s Last Colony
Laila Belkacem and Rabab Mohamed
For over 40 years, the people of Western Sahara have endured war
and occupation, yet few outside of northern Africa have ever heard of
them or their suffering. Learn about the troubled relationship
between the people of Western Sahara and Morocco, and about what
life is like in a refugee camp- where many of the Sahrawi people still
remain today.
A Matter of Nature or Nurture?
Jacqueline de Loos and Joella Waldman
Why do we believe what we believe? Ranging from cults to politics to religion, we will explore the extreme beliefs that people advocate and examine how they came to be.
Belarus...Why Aren’t We Making a Choice?
Maryia (Masha) Strotsava and Darya (Dasha) Davidovskaya
White Russia: this is how Belarus would be translated into English, and it already depicts the dichotomy of the situation. Participants will learn about the problem of identity Belarusians face living in an ex-Soviet country and will gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of the situation by being exposed the various political and cultural pressures existing in modern Belarus. We will get to know how history and politics influenced the Belarusian identity but most importantly, we will discuss the shared responsibility of the Belarusians to make choices for the future of their nation.
Choosing Education for Peace
Rebecca Warren
We all know our mission statement by heart: The UWC movement makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. To realize our mission what are the knowledge, skills, understandings, competencies and attitudes for PEACE that we should be actively educating for within a UWC curriculum and across the whole school at UWC Maastricht? We will be using the infinity model to explore the issue, a technique that allows a group to breathe and move through problems and into solutions.
Eat, Sleep, Vote…Repeat?
Annelie Wigchering and Emilia Gerz
How do we take initiative and come to terms with the individual responsibility we each hold in a democracy? Join us as we explore the advantages, limitations, and consequences of freedom of choice, and the extent to which individuals have the power to make choices. Through interactive games we will dissect the theories and differences of direct and indirect democracies.
Does Burkina Faso Need Democracy?
Sidiki Ganame
Since its independence in 1960, Burkina Faso has been
plagued by political issues, from military coups, to a
revolution, to finally, the founding of a democracy. However,
in this workshop we will question the democracy as a political
system for countries such as Burkina Faso, where the
constitution keeps being manipulated, elections are corrupted,
and the majority of people are illiterate.
In the Shoes Of
Ilija Lichkovski
Driven by a deep questioning of the power of individual’s choices in pursuing or breaking peace in societies, this workshop is a breakdown of society’s framework. Inspired by questions such as, “Is prejudice inevitable?” or “what is the role of privilege?”, participants will assume the role of various citizens in a community that undergo several scenarios that either create collaboration or awake conflict. Will you make a difference with your choice?
Inside Out
Amelia Jones and Hannah Bredero
Being transgender is not a choice. You can feel like a prisoner in your own body. However, there are many choices you must face. Should you even make the transition? How do you tell people? Will it affect your relationships and your career? Are all the negatives worth being able to become your true self? Join us in a discussion about the choices and difficulties transgender people must encounter to be at peace with themselves and their body.
Light up the Life of a Kenyan Girl - Sibouche Foundation.
Aurianne Flottes de Pouzols, Lana Bitar, Luana Soares,
Mariana Mendez, Victoria Thorpe and Yanera Walle
The participants will be undergoing a first-hand experience through the eyes of young Kenyan girls. They will be demanded to role play their understanding of letters that the Sibuoche Foundation has acquired, followed by critical discussions that will be led by the workshop leaders.
Living in a Democrisis
Henri Boistel de Belloy and Kenza El Gamra
What if the democratic ideals you have always believed in never actually existed? From political marketing to illusionary voting systems, come to explore the dark sides of our beloved democracy.
Making Peace with Bullies
Jaze Tran
In an investigation into whether compassion and hope can overcome competition and dismay, participants will engage in an interactive learning session on how to counter cruelty of verbal and mental bullying, and learn how to turn their difficulties into a fun game of advantage.
One (?)Truth
Georgia Katakou and Tina Drupa
In a world full of conspiracy theories and fake news, how do you distinguish the truth? Together we will explore our degree of choice in being manipulated by the media, our governments and even those who are closest to us. Beware, this workshop may be a form of manipulation.
ROOTS- Rightfully Owning Our True Selves
Ivy Tirok, Kibibi Thande, and Vivi Lin
In this workshop aimed at sparking discourse on race and gender, we will speak about some of the stereotypes and/or the segregated treatment that we, together with other students have faced. We will discuss how this treatment has impacted our degree of choice in the absence of alternatives. Through activities participants will reflect on and engage in these stories. We look forward to seeing YOU in our workshop as we take this step towards Rightfully Owning Our True Selves!
Welcome to the Welfare State
Martyna Burylo and Miranda Neal
Join us in an interactive journey through the wet dream of Karl Marx aka "the happiest country in the world" aka home of the Vikings and Teslas (Norway). How much would you sacrifice for the benefit of the greater society? From a scale of 1 -10 are you willing to do trust falls with your government? Is peace only achievable for the rich? Velkommen to a koselig 90 minutes with M&M(s).
The Less You Do the More You Do?
Astha Shrestha, Catarina Holst, and Marie Svarovsky
How can small choices have a big impact? We will look at the huge difference that small choices can make. On the global scale, we will explore examples from the past in which just one decision resulted in drastic changes in problems and solutions. On a more personal scale, we will brainstorm and develop potential ideas for ways that every individual can have an impact and work towards contributing to the bigger picture. With activities, we will show how even the smallest choice can result in large consequences for themselves and others.
“There Are Crooks Everywhere You Look Now”: The Situation in Malta.
Daryl Mifsud, David Dimech, and Scott Grech
On 16 October 2017, Malta made international headlines, after famous journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia, was assassinated meters away from her house. Exposing scandals, Galizia was the government's most vociferous critic. After providing a historical background into 13 Maltese society, we will attempt to understand why Galiza was assassinated, why some people would have wanted her dead, and whether Malta will ever be able to improve its tarnished reputation. Crucially, we will attempt to answer the question of whether Malta is a fully democratic country if people who criticize its leaders end up blown to smithereens.
What are the Choices of the Syrian People?
Arabi Alhumsi and Lana Bitar
What if different choices were made? Would the Syrian conflict still have the same devastating effects? What choices should the Syrian people make in their current situation? How has the conflict impacted the choices (or lack of any choice) of the Syrian people? Join us as we reflect and discuss these questions and more.
Anauê
Luana Soares and Vinicius Humberto
1000 years ago, a culture ran its rituals to protect nature and establish harmony between life and death. But only by worshiping their goddess, life would be safe and peace would be established. How would you greet others? Do you have prejudices? Is it a matter of choice? Join this workshop surrounded by mystery, but one you will never regret to have chosen.