Third Annual Culture Matters coming spring 2012!
What is it?
Culture Matters is a workshop for Baltimore high school students from different cultures and countries of origin, as well as American-born students. The themes of the workshop will be cross-cultural communication and non-violent conflict mediation. A recent article about the Refugee Youth Project in Urbanite magazine described how conflicts can result from cultural misunderstandings. We're hoping the workshop can help address this issue, and ultimately help decrease instances of bullying and promote understanding, by:
1.) Offering fun, interactive small and large-group activities and games that help students reflect on how culture influences behavior and build skills in cross-cultural communication and conflict mediation.
2.) Providing a chance for students to have some positive interactions. We're organizing a short hands-on service project for the students to do together in the afternoon, as an experience in teamwork.
3.) Student participants will be encouraged to develop as leaders, ambassadors and mediators in their schools and neighborhoods. This can be informally in friend groups or through existing formal channels such as school clubs, sports teams and peer mediation groups. Our hope is to offer a workshop each year that builds on skills and relationships.
The workshop is free for students, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Transportation and translation will be provided if necessary.
1.) Offering fun, interactive small and large-group activities and games that help students reflect on how culture influences behavior and build skills in cross-cultural communication and conflict mediation.
2.) Providing a chance for students to have some positive interactions. We're organizing a short hands-on service project for the students to do together in the afternoon, as an experience in teamwork.
3.) Student participants will be encouraged to develop as leaders, ambassadors and mediators in their schools and neighborhoods. This can be informally in friend groups or through existing formal channels such as school clubs, sports teams and peer mediation groups. Our hope is to offer a workshop each year that builds on skills and relationships.
The workshop is free for students, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Transportation and translation will be provided if necessary.
“Everything was very good. I loved all the activities in here and I will come to any workshop that you guys will make. Thank you so so much"
“I like cooperation and sharing with each other about the workshop”
“I like the people sit together and know about
different culture”
“I like sharing with other culture. I learn about different culture”
“I like sharing with other culture. I learn about different culture”
“I like how different people come up together
and talk about their culture and their feelings.”
“Talking to people from different backgrounds.”
“Talking to people from different backgrounds.”
“I wouldn’t change anything I love workshops!!
Thanks I had a great time”
We need your help!
We are currently looking for volunteers to help us in the planning process for Culture Matters, 2012. Please sing up below if you are available to help us with any of the following planning areas: Entertainment, Donations (securing in-kind donations for food, gift certificates, prizes), Activities (fun stuff to do for the day), Participant Recruitment (helping with the recruitment of high-school age students for the event). Thanks so much!!