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In Japan, students interact with Gaza children online

22.01.2022

ASHIYA, Hyogo Some 20 students in the first and second year at a credit-based high school in this west Japan city with only a department of international studies interacted online with children in the Palestinian territory of Gaza on January 18 as part of peace education.

Hyogo Prefectural International High School focuses on international understanding and language education and lets its students participate in programs overseas. Since they can no longer do so because of the coronaviruses, teachers have been searching for countries and regions to connect with via the internet and students have continued global interactions.

The Gaza Strip was occupied by the Islamist militant group Hamas in control of the Gaza Strip and Israeli forces in 2021, and there was a harsh life with restricted access for people and supplies. After students suggested they wanted to think about what they could do for children of the same generation, teachers including Noriyoshi Kinbara contacted the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and other organizations, and decided to interact with students at a school run by the agency.

Students in Japan learned more about Palestinian geography, history, the current situation and life there, as well as their culture at two pre-study sessions.

On Jan. 18, students were divided into groups and spoke in English with children aged 13 and 14 in Gaza. They engaged in topics ranging from future dreams and hobbies to what music and anime they like to do.

Mariya Kawamoto, a second-year student, said there was a difference in how we felt about being a teacher in the future. The principal of Hyogo Prefectural International High School, Mari Inoue, said there must be people who live in conflict areas who are going about their daily lives. We want students to start by understanding that.