Date: Monday, May 21 - Friday, May
25, 2007
Times: See time slots for videoconferences below
Grades: 8- 12
Topics: Current Events, Social Studies, World Issues
Cost (2 videoconferences): FREE!
*
This program provided free of charge courtesy of 
Uganda is one of Eastern Africa’s most beautiful
countries, renowned for its traditional tribal cultures and for having some
of the most exotic wildlife in the world. Despite all the beauty Uganda possesses,
the people in the northern part of this country have suffered for the past 20
years as a result of a simmering conflict.
Global Nomads Group proposed a 10-part series involving 30 schools throughout
the U.S. to explore Ugandan culture and examine the challenges youth face living
in a conflict zone. This program not only engaged and educated American youth
on Uganda, but also provided them with opportunities to be “Agents of
Change.” Throughout the course of this program, GNG will prepared students
to support their counterparts in Uganda through donating goods and funds to
leading non-governmental agencies working to support relief efforts.
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Monday, May 21: Cultural Overview
During this 60-minute conference we introduced American students
to the country of Uganda and the Acholi tribe of northern Uganda. Students
learned about Acholi culture, observed the famous “warrior dance”
and learned about the challenges their peers have been facing living in
a conflict zone. watch
June and Judith's story Session I: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
(EST) watch
this videoconference
Session II: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST) watch
this videoconference
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Tuesday, May 22: African Village Life
During this 60-minute conference students in America had the chance
to visit the African village of Unyama outside the town of Gulu. This village
consists of hundreds of mud huts with thatched roofs that house thousands
of Acholi people. From the outside, this village looks like any typical
African village yet participating students will learn that this is actually
an IDP Camp (Internally Displaced Peoples) that houses families that have
had to flee their homes and land for the safety of these government villages.
Session I: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (EST) watch
this videoconference
Session II: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST)
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Wednesday, May 23: Child Rights
During this 60-minute conference students in America and Uganda will discuss
the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is the first legally binding
international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights for
children signed at the UN in 1989. There is a very special group of students
in Gulu who have studied this convention and have created a debate team
to raise awareness of the risks children face in worn-torn countries. This
group will lead the discussion.
Session I: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00
a.m. (EST) watch
this videoconference
Session II: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST)
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Thursday, May 24: Acholi Women
During this 60-minute conference students will be introduced to the role
of Women in the Acholi culture. Acholi women are often leaders of households
and are responsible for passing on cultural traditions to their offspring.
We will also explore how girls and women have been affected by the conflict.
Session I: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (EST) watch
this videoconference
Session II: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST)
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Friday, May 25: Night Commuters
This program will be dedicated to learning about the thousands of children
that walk for miles each evening from their villages to the center of the
city of Gulu to seek protection. These children take on these walks because
they are vulnerable to abductions by the rebel LRA guerillas in order to
become child soldiers. Students in the U.S. will have the chance to meet
directly with their counterparts in Uganda to learn intimately the challenges
these youth face. watch
a video on night commuters in Uganda
Session I: 9:00 a.m. –
10:00 a.m. (EST) watch
this videoconference
Session II: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST)
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Friday, June 1: Discussion with Forest Whitaker
Students had the opportunity to talk with award-winning actor Forest Whitaker,
who played the role of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film, The
Last King of Scotland. Students shared their reactions to previous
vidoconferences in the Project Uganda series, and Mr. Whitaker discussed
his perceptions of the Ugandan people and their struggles. watch
this videoconference |
Agents of Change:
The “Agents of Change” initiative will be introduced to participating
classes prior to the videoconferences and will be an integral part of this program’s
curriculum. The “Agents of Change” initiative will give students
the opportunity to send goods to their counterparts in Uganda or take part in
a fundraising campaign to support community projects in the region. GNG has
reached out to Gulu Walk, arguably the most respected organization working in
the region, to help identify and facilitate fundraising activities.
Preparation materials for the program:
HOW TO SIGN UP:
Contact David Macquart at david@gng.org.
Please note that in the interest of involving as many students as possible,
individual schools will be given one interactive slot only over the course of
the 5 days (view-only slots are unlimited). Please choose your topic/time carefully
and provide me with your first, second, and third choice if possible.
