Peace lab will be the first educational incubator in schools in the four most affected regions( kasserine ,Sidi Bouzid ,Sejnane and Mednine) by terrorist brainwash and lack of a proper education Curricula that engage youth with their educational materials and courses . It will be on form of two to three day workshops that offer highly professional training for 30 participants whose age range from 15 to 20 years old based on gender balance to offer them clarity on wide range of Peace Building, dialogue skills, capacity building over conflict transformation and conflict resolution and how to become critical thinkers over manipulator tools of communication means that incite and accentuate the propaganda of violence as a term of masculinity and manliness. We will dig thanks to the presence of experts in Facilitation, gender, journalism and arts in Militarization, identity politics, conflict transformation and peace.

For More information :https://www.facebook.com/Peace-Lab-228834334131701/

Tunis, February 15th,we talked about  sexual attraction "orientation", gender role  and body awareness at ACLC.

So we started by gathering information about what the word « Gender » can refer to.

After that , we watched a TED Talk titled Ending Gender and represented by Scott Turner Schofield.

 He talked about transgender identity wich is -unlike cisegender-  a gender identity where individual’s expressions of their own gender don’t match the gender  they were assigned at birth or GAAB. 

Gender Mapping

Afterwards, we assimilated more the differences between Gender Identity (the chemistry that composes you), Gender Expression (how you demonstrate your gender), biological Sex ( organs, hormones …) and Sexual orientation ( who you are attracted to physically,emotionally). In addition, we understood more LGBTQ  concept and the differences in between.*

Besides, we did an activity where each one of us had to choose – based on his gender social expectation- between peaceful , in between or peaceless regarding  Politics, Travel, Education, Employment, Religion..

Gender Flower ACTIVITY

Finally , We had to make a « funny » play in groups, in order to recap what we have had seen and show that now we understand more GENDER concept.

Ihsen Charfi and Dhia Hayouni "Role Play"

More details :https://prezi.com/wvamo1esn0rd/copy-of-gender/                      https://prezi.com/mo1fhpxnz_gk/copy-of-gender/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWubtUnSfA0

*Author :Ihsen Charfi :ACLC active member and INSAT student 

Souha Arbi in the middle of her team

Tunis,December 20th 2014, Many think that this is a normal Saturday, just like the others. Some would be thrilled saying it’s the first day of the holidays. But for the American Corner Leader Club, it was a day, one of its kind.. a truly exceptional day. 

This time, It all started in the morning. At 10 a.m. to be precise. The UN crew came to film our mentor Ms. Ahlem Nasraoui and the leadership club for a documentary that will be aired on MBC. The members who could make it then also took part of the filming, giving the world their insights and personal statements of the magnificent job Ahlem and her team are doing for the sake of the highly motivated leaders.

After a morning of fun shooting and lots of laughter, it was time for the learning to start, as the other members stated arriving for the official session.

 The session in itself was so much fun, full of energy and different activities that may seem arbitrary at first, but turn out to be very instructive once explained. We learned about the emotional intelligence which consists mainly of identifying the true hidden messages behind a speech, understanding them and not letting yourself be fooled by them. But of course you may use them to get what you want since it is an efficient persuasion tool at times.

Then, we played the Islands game which was kind of embarrassing considering we were practically hugging each other and being filmed for the documentary! This game is not about cuddling, don’t misunderstand. We had the stand in groups within 3 circles drawn and the floor (they are islands) and each time, there comes a hurricane and swipes off one island. The citizens must flee to another island and try not to step over else they drown and the entire group fails. As the second hurricane hits one of the two remaining islands, we have to figure out a way to keep each other from stepping out from the now-very-narrow space and thus lose. We managed, somehow.

Souha Arbi in total concentration

 Even though it was tough, we learned how to be organized and synchronized and succeed all as one because we can’t afford the fall of a member.

 The failure of one, is the failure of everyone. It’s one of the very important lessons we MUST learn in life.

Next was the Talent show. Literally! We were, once again divided into 3 groups and each of us had a message to deliver. 

Sounds simple right? Did I mention that we couldn’t utter any word? 

Well, group one had to demonstrate how life is within a dictatorship. They did a brilliant job by impersonating Ben Ali and imagining his assassination and its consequences. The second group had to ballet.. to show the importance of the presence of one capable leader that would help them reach perfection. As for the last group, they had to convince youth to vote, through a ROCK BAND! Well, a silent rock band in this case. They put off a little play where they put some boring president candidates giving speeches and then some anonymous person came and shot the fun in them. They turned into a rock band, put on mute, each having a performance on stage together!

Last of all, we sat down once again and Ahlem gave us some feedback and few essential techniques on how to give a perfect speech and how to impress the people you are talking to.

The session was one of the best and most instructive session we have ever witnessed. Each time is a new skill well learned.. AND in a fun way! I wish schools were at least half this fun :p

the American Corner leadership Club members nurturing each other with love and total dedication to change the world

*Author:Souha Arbi :business student major ,an ACLC active member ,Hult Prize semi-finalist and Thomas Jefferson scholarship semi finalist