Schools across border

This year Transition Year will be taking part in the schools across borders programme.  As part of this initiative 12 Israeli and 12 Palestinian students will be coming to Ireland in December and January. Some of these students will stay in the homes of Transition Year students.                

This project aims to show teenagers from areas involved in conflict that people of their own age on the ‘opposite side’ are not so different and could even share similar views on the conflict.  Also as part of the scheme some Oatlands T.Y students will be paying a visit to the schools in Belfast whom they co-operated with during the programme.(Andrew Faulkner).

A ten week project commenced this September in which representatives from outside the school came into Transition Year classes and talked to them about conflicts around the world in countries such as Israel, Palestine and closer to home in Northern Ireland. Students will be housing students from Israel and Palestine to give them a chance to see the life Irish students live. The main aims of this project was not to force the views of others upon students but rather to improve relations, break down negative stereotypes and better educate the masses. So far the project has been a success with only a few minor blips such as a temporary difficulty in finding accommodation for the foreign students. However, so far, it has been an enjoyable experience and with time still left and the long awaited arrival of foreign Israeli and Palestinian students things look only to get better.(Niall Jackson)