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Inside out – a Day of Learning in the Open City – Reclaiming Spaces for Diversity, Social Healing and Peace Within

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Inside out – a Day of Learning in the Open City – Reclaiming Spaces for Diversity, Social Healing and Peace Within Inside Out – A Day of Learning in the Open City – reclaiming spaces for diversity, social healing and peace within Celebrating the International Day Of Tolerance November 16, 2008 Facilitated by Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) Sponsored by United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Inside Out – A Day of Learning in the Open City 1 Content Page Introduction............................................................................................................................. 3 Objectives of the study visit.................................................................................................... 4 Getting to Know Each Other................................................................................................... 5 The Grand Tour & Interaction with Living History ............................................................... 5 Visit to Cathedral Church: .................................................................................................. 5 From the Cathedral to Ranjeet Singh’s Samadhi (Ranjit Singh’s Mausoleum) ................. 6 Ranjeet Singh’s Samadhi:................................................................................................... 6 Poet & Philosopher: Sir Allama Mohammad Iqbal’s Tomb:.............................................. 7 Badshahi Mosque:............................................................................................................... 8 Lahore Fort: ........................................................................................................................ 9 Talk & Discussion with Dr. Bernadette Dean- citizenship expert and Principal Kinnaird College:............................................................................................................................. 11 Interactive Theatre at the Fort........................................................................................... 11 Rafi Peer Festival.............................................................................................................. 12 The Puppet Festival........................................................................................................... 12 Dinner at McDonald’s: ..................................................................................................... 13 Transformative Reflections on the International Day of Tolerance ..................................... 14 Methodology of Inside Out Learning: the International Day of Tolerance.......................... 19 Annex:................................................................................................................................... 20 Inside Out – A Day of Learning in the Open City 2 Inside Out– A Day of Learning in the Open City – reclaiming spaces for diversity, social healing and peace within Introduction ITA arranged a unique day of experiential learning to celebrate November, 16, 2008 as an integral and final part of the project “Reclaiming Social & Cultural Diversity: Mobilizing Youth for National Harmony & Peace: the search for resources within “. This was undertaken with the support of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The study visit within the historical Lahore City was the most meaningful way to experience the essence of the year long encounters of youth representing all provinces of Pakistan. The project’s goal is to Mobilize Youth for National and International Harmony and Peace. Although it was not planned as an activity of the project but was designed as an evolutionary necessity to the spirit of the program and also an opportunistic response to the youth gathering in the city of Lahore on a weekend. They had already expressed a desire in February during the first dialogue that they wanted to enjoy the city. The organizers did not want to disappoint them and yet wanted the experience to be one that weaved in with the overall spirit of the program. Although this was not the formal part of the project as originally conceived but since one of the activities, a comparative paper could not be fulfilled, this substantive activity was designed to provide value addition to the program and above all to the participating youth and their teachers. November 16th is the International Day of Tolerance (annex). It was dedicated to “ Inside Out- a day of open learning” in a city celebrated for its historical and sufi heritage. It was a day to experience the several important dimensions of the project by reclaiming spaces for social healing, diversity and peace within. It was a befitting preparatory activity for the next day’s final National Dialogue as per the project’s plan. This event was designed as a vibrant pedagogic idea of visiting local historical monuments which continue to express a humanistic living perspective. The visit was planned so that each student could empathize with the inherent diversity of our visionary leaders and poets our healthy culture as the best source of learning and living where young and old lives are enriched by recognizing the strength of differences. For educators who accompanied the students it was meant to demonstrate what a rich resource local contexts and spaces can be for learning and experiencing. Rationale: The paradox of the desire for peace amidst rising global and local conflicts remains a very profound reality for most human beings as does the paradox of low appreciation of cultural, historical, traditional, linguistic differences in a country with 96% population belonging to one religion viz. Islam. For Pakistan the need to reclaim spaces for tolerance, peace and harmony is a critical and burning issue. Looking at the future challenges of coping with conflict and post conflict scenarios, in a weak tension ridden federation, where there are few chances of proactively addressing these issues, it is necessary to seek initiatives which explore possibilities for tolerance, differences and resolution of conflicts particularly through our youth. There were 40 participants: 20 Students; 10 Teachers and 10 Civil Society Organizational representatives (annex) Inside Out – A Day of Learning in the Open City 3 The Resource Persons were: Talha Shahzad Debates – ITA Razia Mughal - ITA Huma Sikander – ITA Imtiaz Nizami – ITA Alvina - Interactive Theatre - IRC Maqbool Ahmad- A professional Guide and UNESCO Restoration Team Lahore Fort Dr. Bernadette Dean – Principal Kinnaird College Baela Raza Jamil – Chairperson and Senior Adviser ITA INSIDE OUT PROGRAM – International Day Of Tolerance 8:45 Children Picked up from their Hotel 9:00 Visit to the Cathedral Church and Sunday Services 10:00-1:00 Visit to the Historical Quadrangle of Huzoori Bagh - Part I 1:15-2:15 Lunch and Lecture at Cuckoo’s Café overlooking the Historical Quadrangle Lecture by Dr. Bernadette Dean, Principal Kinnaird College & Expert on Citizenship 2:30-4:00 Exploring the concepts of identity, diversity and tolerance with Alvina from Interactive Resource Centre 4:30-6:00 Back to the hotel to rest and change & rehearse for Debates 6:00-9:00 Rafi Peer Theatre – Festival at the Alhamra Arts Council 9:30 Dinner Objectives of the study visit • To reclaim cultural and social diversity. • To reclaim spaces for social healing. • To explore the living historical and cultural heritage. • To create opportunities for experiencing open learning. • To create awareness that diversity is the beauty of this world. Inside Out – A Day of Learning in the Open City 4 Getting to Know Each Other Before the journey commenced, the visitors had had their introductions as some of them had been exchanging notes on themes on the on-line forum, blogs in virtual space, some had met during the first dialogue in February earlier in the year. Thus since the night before when they arrived they had reconnected face to face and also reacquainted themselves. They mixed with each other, chatting and asking interesting questions about each other’s regions that they came from within Pakistan across provinces and recent issues of conflict that had been growing. The facilitators introduced themselves sharing their roles with the students and teachers so that they all felt at ease to ask for anything they needed. The Grand Tour & Interaction with Living History Visit to Cathedral Church: Across the Shaharah-Quaid-e-Azam (the Upper Mall) from the High Court, is a nineteenth century gothic stained glass steeple which marks the entrance to the impressive Cathedral Church of the Resurrection. The cathedral is set well back from the road. The sprawling compound, containing the looming towers of the cathedral, provides a haven in the middle of the bustle of downtown Lahore on the famous Mall Road. The Cathedral is constructed from red brick and pink sandstone in the gothic style - the architect was John Oldrid Scott. The Cathedral was built in 1887. On entering the Church, all the participants gathered at the gate of main assembly hall and greeted each other. Baela Raza Jamil familiarized the visitors with the historical significance of the Cathedral Church. She added that the church is not only a historical monument, but the movement behind this church had made an enormous contribution to education. It had transferred the cultural heritage to the coming generations as well. Visiting the Cathedral Church was for many the first opportunity for an inter-faith encounter and also to visit a historical monuments of great significance in the city of Lahore. It was a wonderful experience which gave an entirely different insight into diversity that makes Lahore one of the unique places in the world.
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