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The Anthropology of Violence: 'In the Meanwhile: Living Everyday in Anticipation of War in Lebanon' – Dr. Sami Hermez |
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The project examines how a constant anticipation of political violence in Lebanon has continued to impact the lives of former militia fighters and society at large. My research argues that a constant anticipation of violence haunts everyday life with the spirit of past civil conflicts and the looming threat of future ones. Through this argument I show that people use previously experienced violence as a metaphor for representing present events, which then guides them in their social interactions and in the way they imagine their community and state. In this way, I explore how different segments of society adjust to intermittent periods of political violence and subsequent calm. Several issues emerge from this investigation. The anticipation of violence, a latent violence within everyday life, allows for collective memory of the war to be reproduced and ensures that questions of responsibility and judgment of the past are not forgotten. From within this environment of anticipation, I am also able to describe how people take up political action not simply as acts of resistance but also from within a framework of cynical reason. Finally, I tackle the notion of sacrifice in wartime, where I particularly focus on what it means to dehumanize others and to lose one's humanity, arguing that the notion of dehumanization is a rhetorical device with hegemonic influence in debates and conversations around war. My ethnographic research relies on fieldwork with former militia fighters, from a broad spectrum of political parties and different stages of Lebanon's war (1975-1990), as well as with political activists, to inform the way different social processes are constructed. I claim that examining these people's lives illuminates how practices of anticipation can inspire certain constructions of both state and society.
For further information please contact Sami Hermez (sami.hermez@sant.ox.ac.uk)
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A whole School Approach to Social Cohesion – Dr. Maha Shuayb |
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Research studies (Shuayb, 2007, Akar, 2008, UNDP, 2008) have shown that current educational practices are failing to promote social solidarity and reconciliation amongst the various groups in Lebanon: The pedagogies adopted are didactic, knowledge-based and rely on memorization. The textbooks used present ideals and fail to address current social and political issues while the school environment is undemocratic. A recent study by Shuayb (2009) funded by the Centre for Lebanese Studies, showed that a whole school approach to citizenship education is more effective than a subject based approach in developing the skills, attitudes and values that are crucial for promoting social cohesion amongst Lebanese.
This project aims to pilot a whole schools approach to social cohesion and assess its impact on young people's social and political attitudes and skills as an alternative to the subject based model adopted by most schools in Lebanon today. The whole-school approach to social cohesion and active citizenship focuses primarily on the school environment and skills based learning.
The two main objectives of the 'Education for Social Cohesion' project are to:
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Promote active citizenship education which focuses on developing students' competencies, skills and attitudes enabling them to actively participate and work towards sustainable peace and justice |
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Foster a supportive, democratic, and cohesive school environment that encourages participation and empowers the whole school community |
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The Centre is implementing the project with the support of Notre Dame University and Nahwa al Muwatiniya (Na-am).
For further information please contact Dr Maha Shuayb (ms455@cam.ac.uk)
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A consortium on 'Education for Social Cohesion' – Dr. Maha Shuayb |
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The consortium builds on the recommendations made by academics, NGOs, practitioners and policy makers from the private and public sectors during the CLS conference on 'Education for Social Cohesion' held at the American University of Beirut in October 2009 in collaboration with the Issam Fares Institute.
Aims and objectives of the consortium: |
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To bring together local and international NGOs, academics, practitioners (principals, teachers), and NGO volunteers working in the field of education for social cohesion to develop a vision and strategies for promoting social cohesion and active citizenship in the private and public educational sectors in Lebanon.
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More specifically the consortium will: |
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1. Develop a practical vision for promoting social cohesion in the public and private educational sectors.
2. Design strategies for implementing and achieving this vision
3. Share information, knowledge and expertise
4. Represent a number of NGOs in Lebanon at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education
5. Represent NGOs working on education in Lebanon at the level of private educational institutions
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The membership of the consortium is open to all of those interested in the field. For further information on this working group or if you are interested in joining please contact Dr Maha Shuayb: |
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Email: ms455@cam.ac.uk
Faculty of Education 184 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 8PQ
Office: 01223767717 |
