As we close our 2023/4 school year, we reflect on what has been one of our most challenging, significant yet powerful years yet.
"The pain of this year for our communities has been devastating. The progress we make from here will be paramount. It's time to de-escalate, educate, and give the next generation the chance to define a future of peace, justice, equality, and a rejection of hate" - Sharon Booth, our Founder and Director.
The events of October the 7th and their aftermath has had a profound impact on so many of us and our stakeholders. The easy option could have been to withdraw, yet we all chose fight over flight, believing in our values of non-violence, equality for all, and the rejection of hatred. Here's what Solutions Not Sides achieved in the face of adversity:
- 11,000 students across the UK experienced our Youth Education Programme this school year
- 160 sessions were delivered by just 7 full-time staff and 3 freelance facilitators
- 2,000 teachers and community leaders were trained by us on navigating Israel-Palestine, polarisation and hatred
- 39 schools are on our Olive Branch Award - striving to become inclusive, pro-solution spaces for all students
"I think the program really brought to light the different views we can all have, the history behind it all, the different experiences we will all face in our life, but even so we can still come together and be respectful of each other and understand why someone might think the way that they do.”
- a student from one of our workshops in London
"Students expressed a better understanding of the bias of media and other sources they were hearing from, and a better understanding that hearing from both sides was key in achieving a better overall understanding of the issue."
- a teacher from one of our workshops in London
We would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey - to our incredibly brave speakers (who have overcome many obstacles and fears to come to the UK to tell their stories), to the teachers who made it happen, to the pupils who participated, and to our team who stayed committed to our vision throughout.
“Being part of SNS during these challenging times hasn't been easy, but it gives me hope and reminds me that I'm not alone, that we're not alone. We have partners on the other side and they have us, and together we choose to stand up against violence and hatred. Together, we build bridges, hoping that the generations to come don't have to walk through the same thorns we're walking through.”
- Amal, one of our Palestinian speakers
“As an Israeli, I find myself living in an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment. This reality, coupled with personal trauma and fear, presents significant challenges, especially when trying to communicate these complex issues in today's fast-paced, social media-driven world. I believe that Solutions Not Sides is making a remarkable effort to address these intricate problems with British youth.”
- Barak, one of our Israeli speakers
Next year, Solutions Not Sides will embark on 25 school tours - a record for us as we enter our 15th year. Now more than ever, students deserve critical thinking and empathy-based education on Israel-Palestine, by hearing from Palestinian and Israeli peace-builders who are committed to ending the status quo. Schools deserve to be spaces that reject antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and polarisation - and Solutions Not Sides can support in this.
To find out more about where we'll be next year and how to bring us into your school, head to bit.ly/SNSBookUs.