|
|
Welcome to Project Perception
It is natural that we have perceptions about people from other parts of the world that we do not know very well. How do these misperceptions, and sometimes myths, get formed? And what happens when they are wrong, or harmful? Too often perceptions are biased or prejudiced. Is the media to blame? That is easy to say, and often the first reason cited. Or is it lack of knowledge, or by what others say?
The purpose of Project Perception is to bring people from diverse parts of the world where there is conflict between nations, together in a dialogue using the tools of the Internet, with the purpose of dispelling harmful myths and misperceptons about each others countries.
Last year, Project Perception brought together students from Afghanistan who were attending the American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan with students from Indiana and Philadelphia Universities to learn about each other; to dispel myths that we have about each other; to learn about what we have in common as well as our differences; to understand and respect our differences; and to form friendships.
Students shared essays they wrote based on their perceptions of each other's country. The essays were posted on the Global Visits web page. You may read the essays by clicking on Read the Essays listed above.
Moving beyond the essays, the students carried on very lively and engaging discussions through the Global Visits Discussion Forum (see Home Page, Global Visits Forum)
This year Project Perception is bringing students, and others!, together between Lebanon and again students from Indiana and Philadelphia Universities. And there are exciting events going on right now in Lebanon.....students have been the backbone of what is now called a 'Cedar Revolution'.......a movement to restore sovereignty to their country. The biblical, ancient and enduring cedar tree is featured on the Lebanese flag, a symbol of this momentous movement. See the pictures below of the Cedar Revolution.....and read the new essays!!
(Joe Tonsing-Carter, an American high school student, with his Afghan friends from the American University of Central Asia: standing L to R, Joe, Elham Gharji, Fakhrullah Safari, Ali Madad Azimi; kneeling, Karim Bakhshi and Habib Nejat.)
|
Kenyan students connect with students from Indiana
Students attending Moi University in Kenya with Dr. Eunice Kamaara have been connecting with anthropology students attending Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis. |
Students in Indianapolis connect with students from Kenya
Anthropology students from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) have been connecting with students attending Moi University in Kenya, learning about each others countries, cultures and customs. Pictured here is the class from IUPUI, saying hello to their new friends in Kenya. |
Pictures of the Lebanese Students!!!
This is a shy group!!! But......we will have pictures coming your way. Pictured here is Rami, Chantal, and Sami.......say hello! Tell them they look great!!!! They do not agree.....but they do!! |
Here is Dayana......she has loved 'talking' with all of you! |
This sign says it all......all religious groups came together in unity in support of moving Lebanon forward and away from its religious factions. |
THE CEDAR REVOLUTION....Historic Change in Lebanon
Students in Lebanon are the backbone of the people power that toppled a government, and movement toward sovereignty. That it was peaceful is historic. And special to Lebanon is that it involved a solidarity of all religious groups that have too often in the past fought against each other. |
Students erected tents and camped out 24 hours a day on Martyr Square in protest of a government dominated by Syria....and vowed to stay until it was toppled. Now they intend to stay until Syria leaves Lebanon. This is a group of students from the University of Saint Joseph, some of whom are participating in Project Perception. |
A sign seen throughout Beirut. |
People have been driving through Beirut for days, waving Lebanese flags only.....no other. In the past, other sectarian flags have also been displayed in demonstrations. For now.....it is solidarity first among Lebanese. |
Members of the opposition in Parliament encouraged protesters to keep constant their 24 hour vigils and 'tent-in' demonstrations at Martyr Square until Syria leaves Lebanon, and elections are held without Syrian interference. |
The famous Lebanese status of Martyr Square frames the Mosque where Rafik Hariri is buried. Renamed Freedom Square by many of the protesters, it remains a major site for daily demonstrations. |
|
