Background:

This three-day lesson will provide students with an overview of Uganda, its culture, and its conflicts as a springboard for discussion during the videoconferences. Students will get a general introduction to the life, culture, and history of Northern Uganda and the guerilla war, spearheaded by the notoriously brutal Lord’s Resistance Army, which has ravaged its villages for the past twenty years. (more…)

Background

This lesson is intended to provide an overview for students of culture and daily life in Vietnam, while emphasizing the role religion plays in shaping the way people live. In particular, students will get a chance to explore the major religions of Vietnam, including Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, and the ways in which many Vietnamese worship a combination of these. (more…)

Background:

In this lesson, students will learn about Japan’s unique balance between its rich religious heritage and its generally secular government. As many Japanese practice both Shinto and Buddhism, students will learn the basic beliefs and practices of both and the ways in which believers combine elements of both into their everyday religious practices. (more…)

Background:

Kenya, an historically stable, democratic east African country, descended into crisis from December through February in the aftermath of a controversial Presidential election. In this lesson plan, students will explore the causes of conflict and how it affected the lives of Kenyan youth. (more…)

Background:

This lesson is intended to introduce students to the country of Malaysia and its religiously diverse culture.Roughly sixty percent of Malaysians are Muslim, and the remaining forty percent practice religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Shamanism. Students will learn about the open nature of Malaysian society regarding religion, and in particular, they will learn basic information about Islam and the unique way it is practiced in Malaysia. (more…)

Background:

This lesson plan is designed to help students prepare for live conferences with Afghanistan and bolster the experience of meeting their peers and CARE staff members in the following three-part videoconference series:

1. CARE in Afghanistan: U.S. – Afghan Cultural Student Exchange
2. CARE: Working in Afghanistan, Changing Lives
3. CARE in Afghanistan: Humanitarian Assistance for the Widows of Afghanistan (HAWA) Project (more…)

Background:

This lesson plan is designed to help students gain a well-balanced perspective on Bolivia and bolster the experience of meeting their Bolivian peers in the following six-part series:

1. Cultural Introduction
2. Politics, Language, and Inclusion
3. Livelihoods around Lake Titicaca
4. Indigenous Culture Today
5. Marvels of Nature
6. Health & Traditions (more…)

Background:

This lesson will provide students a foundation of knowledge about the people, history, religion, and more of the Arab world, particularly in Egypt, which will serve as a springboard for the face-to-face discussions to follow. This lesson plan is designed to introduce students to the Arab world in five parts:

1. Cultural Overview
2. Women Issues: Roles, Rights, and Experiences
3. History and Culture
4. Religions of the Book
5. Culture and Conflict (more…)

Background:

This lesson will give students insight into South Africa, both under apartheid and in post-apartheid years. They will examine the historical context of this legal discrimination system and draw comparisons to other systems of legal racism with which they are familiar. Students will learn about the actions taken to end apartheid, particularly the actions taken by members of the church to heighten awareness during apartheid and to mollify tensions in post-apartheid years, including the present. (more…)

• Speak slowly and clearly into the microphone. Express your personality but avoid using slang and be concise whenever possible.

• Look into the camera when speaking. Use slow, smooth, minimal gestures.

• Try to avoid wearing very bright colors during the videoconference as this can have a negative impact on the quality of the image.

• When beginning to speak or pose a question, state your name and school.

• Ask thoughtful questions and respond to all answers with respect. Express your opinions in a positive manner. Avoid asking off-topic or inappropriate questions. Stick to the subject.

• Understand that the discussion may, at times, get intense. Be prepared for this and know how to react. The best way to participate in a discussion with passionate opposing viewpoints is to remain calm and state your opinion in an open and non-threatening way. Remember to respect the opinions of your peers and keep your comments to the issue at hand.

• Due to the technological constraints of video conferencing please understand only one person can speak at a time. Be sure to wait for the delay in audio so that you avoid interrupting others. Do not speak over others, you will be called to present or respond to a question.

• Please say “Thank you” when you conclude your statements or questions.

• Pay close attention to the speakers and the topic at hand. Use your facial expressions and nod or smile to express interest, attentiveness and participation. Look into the far-end or upper-corner of the monitor when others are speaking.

• Have paper and pencil available to jot down notes or ideas so that you may comment on them when it is your turn.