Middle East Conflict in the youth club (Nahostkonflikt im Jugendclub)

Training program for professionals from youth recreational facilities in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

The horrific massacre and hostage-taking by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and Israel's brutal warfare in Gaza have reignited the so-called Middle East conflict with unprecedented intensity. Young people in particular are involved and affected in many ways. This situation, in which not only political and historical (in)knowledge, but above all strong emotions are mixed with inhuman ideologies, poses enormous challenges for professionals from youth recreational facilities: Not only are many professionals unsure of their own stance in view of the complexity of the conflict dynamics. The open, voluntary and non-binding nature of most educational offers in open child and youth work also often makes it difficult to deal with these issues in a continuous and consistent manner.

Developing and strenghtening a sustainable pedagogical approach

This is precisely where cultures interactive supports professionals from youth leisure facilities in the Berlin district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg with a 1.5-day training course: In addition to a thematic examination of the topics of anti-Semitism, racism and the Israel-Palestine conflict, in which the main focus is on imparting basic knowledge as well as corresponding codes, symbols and slogans, the training focuses on developing and strengthening a sustainable pedagogical attitude. Building on this, concrete ways of dealing with conflictual situations in which the Middle East conflict and the associated inhumane attitudes play a role are practiced. For example, de-escalation techniques are tested, initial reaction skills are strengthened and discussion techniques are practised that focus less on argumentative debate and more on the inclusion of life-world, biographical and emotional aspects. The aim is to enable professionals to act as a relational authority for young people, even in highly emotional situations, and at the same time to initiate critical reflection on inhuman and anti-democratic attitudes that are expressed in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. To this end, the training course provides the necessary contextual knowledge on the one hand, while on the other hand practicing a critical and approachable attitude and developing case-related strategies for dealing with the situation.

Training and intervention with collegial case consultation

The training is designed to be needs-oriented and process-oriented: Participants are welcome to bring in situations they have personally experienced in order to discuss them together as a group. The twelve-hour training course is flanked by a total of six intervision sessions in which specific cases are discussed in small groups and reflected on with regard to the training content.

Training dates

7 and 8 october 2024
10 and 11 october 2024
5 and 6 november 2024

Project duration

July - December 2024