About Demo Project:

Erasmus+ project DEMO – Developing Modernized Curricula on Immigrants’ Lives in Israel, includes about thirty academics from Israeli higher education institutions and fifteen from European Universities and we have designed twelve academic courses and additional short modules that focus on the lives of migrants and forced migrants. The courses apply innovative and creative teaching methodologies, have been piloted and are now being taught in Israeli and other European institutions.

The aim of the project is to improve the skills of professionals in applied social sciences (teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists etc.) so that they can better meet the needs of migrants. To achieve this, we are developing, implementing and disseminating courses on the lives of migrants. By applying advanced teaching methodologies, we encourage a personal and meaningful learning process that enables the students to connect to their own and their families' migration histories. By means of community involved and art-based methodologies, students in DEMO courses document narratives of migrants and study them.

We invite you to promote cooperation with our project and integrate DEMO's teaching materials in your work. For more reading and viewing the contents, please visit:
      Website: demo.erasmus-il.org
      Facebook: demo erasmus+ program

 

This research is based on a case study of Bedouin parents from unrecognized villages in the Naqab desert who experience dispossession, severe structural oppression and cultural transition in the midst of an ongoing political conflict. The study provides an opportunity to witness processes of change. A group of mothers decided to take action, and initiated a community-managed kindergarten called ‘Hope’, that allows their children to play in a safe place. Supported by their husbands, the mothers invited Arab-Israeli parliament members, journalists and NGO directors to visit the kindergarten in order to raise attention to their children’s needs. These initiatives have been proves successful, as authorities have decided to provide transportation for the children (ages 4-5) from unrecognized villages to a governmental kindergarten in a nearby recognized village. Parents continue to support the ‘Hope’ initiative to keep their children out of danger.

 

Mentoring Program Aim:

• To help MA students reach their full potential as effectively and quickly as possible
• To increase the level of professional satisfaction for mentees and mentors
• To cultivate productive professional relationships among colleagues
• To take advantage of the experience and valuable talents of mentors and mentees
• To enhance decision-making skills related to the mentee’s research

Mentor Roles:

• Listen to the needs and expectations of the mentee
• Work with the student to help him/her develop and establish realistic and obtainable goals
• Offer suggestions and feedback
• Keep the mentee aware of his/her progress
• Be committed to serve as a resource to the mentee
• Encourage the mentee to explore new areas
• Follow up on commitments made to the mentee

 

During the semester we will escort the mentoring process by inviting the researcher and MA student to contact us regarding any issue related to the student-researcher collaboration.

For mor information: https://en.sw.huji.ac.il/sites/default/files/s-wen/files/nevet_peer-mentoring_project.doc

 

The University Multicultural Kindergarten, based at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Israel is a unique early childhood educational model that was founded and operates in collaboration with various university partners, such as the Institute for Innovation in Education, the student’s dean, the Schwartz program for early childhood and NEVET greenhouse at the School of Social Work and Social Welfare.

The kindergarten provides child care service for local and foreign student’s children, postdoctoral student’s, university administrative and academic staff and visiting scholars. It is also open to residents of both East of Jerusalem and West, for different religions, and languages.

The pedagogical vision of the kindergarten is to create a safe space for children and parents, a hub that regards diversity to be an asset. This principle is reflected in the diversity of staff, children and families sharing the kindergarten. Regular conversation with the parents about common and individual issues including challenging topics in the multicultural encounter are common practice.

The multicultural and multifaceted model is built bottom up from the cultures and characteristics of the families and the staff in the kindergarten and based in its special location.  The kindergarten is rooted in the belief   that multitude of voices and opinions is possible, important and essential in the Israeli reality. The university is an ideal meeting place for a variety of multicultural and international cultures. The Hebrew University's support of the Center for Multiculturalism and Diversity and various projects at the School of Social Work and Bezalel art school, is reflected in the kindergarten's vision and work.

The community orientation of the kindergarten is expressed in the relationship of the kindergarten with the niversity. University resources such as libraries, botanical garden, theater, open spaces and are an integral part of the kindergarten and contribute to enrichment that is not generally available for early childhood settings. The kindergarten participates in festive events (e.g. the Sigd holiday, visit by the President, concerts) and even nitiates various events in the university's public space (Hanukkah –Christmas party and Purim parades, plants selling and more). 

The kindergarten director, Or Alter, is a graduate of the Early Childhood Education Counseling Program at the Hebrew University, a pedagogical instructor at David Yellin College and a doctorate in NEVET greenhouse. NEVET Greenhouse documents and investigate the community and multicultural aspects of the kindergarten under the supervision of Professor Heidi Keller, Professor Edith Blit-Cohen, and Professor Dorit Roer -Strier. 

Preliminary findings of the research, show evidence to the manifested topic of diversity in the discourse of the children, to their openness and interest in visitors attending the kindergarten and in their perceptions of their belonging to the multicultural kindergarten and the university.

The kindergarten has in recent years won the support of the university rector and student dean as well as the deans of the School of Social Work and School of Education.

 

See more about the Kindergarten on our Facebook page: Here