Although the third and final day of the National Committee workshops was a little shorter than the two previous long and intensive days, it was no less useful and certainly no less enjoyable.
There were three main themes for the day. The first session was a very thought provoking and challenging presentation by Hans von Sponeck on the educational situation in Iraq (see photo to the right). In what was perhaps the most profound of all the presentations during the three days of excellent workshops, Hans presented an overview of recent Iraqi history and how this – together with the well intentioned but seriously misguided UN sanctions on Iraq – had impacted on educational standards and experiences in Iraq. No-one could fail to be touched by the terrible suffering that has been experienced by the people of Iraq, and this sobering presentation filled in many gaps of understanding for all of us who were privileged to be there to hear it.
The second theme of the day, which was ‘planning and assessing group learning and group discussions’, involved all of us joining in a series of activities, trust games, initiative exercise and group dynamics exercises of the type that we also use in Hong Kong during our annual Challenge Day. Co-ordinated by representatives of the Israeli and Egyptian National Committees, this session provided useful insights into the techniques used during selection in several countries.
During the third theme, ‘student and parent preparation and orientation’, various models used by different National Committees were shared, concluding with a very animated, stimulating and positive discussion on the recently approved UWC Common Code of Student Conduct.
The workshops concluded with discussions over an extended lunch before various groups began dispersing to their various destinations in cars arranged through the school. Andrew’s and my car was scheduled to leave the school for the one hour drive to Amman at 4:30 pm, although the actual departure time was 25 minutes later than that. The drive gave us a lovely overview of the rural countryside between Madaba and Amman as well as out first glimpse of Jordan’s capital city.
Amman is a more modern, clean, and ordered city that I had expected, and certainly much more ordered than anything I experienced last week in Egypt. The air seems relatively unpolluted, people are relaxed (except when they are gathered around their televisions watching the World Cup games!), and English is widely spoken and written.
Our hotel in Amman has wonderful views over the metropolis, and the photo at the top of this page shows the city of Amman shortly before sunset this afternoon from the balcony of our hotel room.
With the workshops now behind me, I am looking forward to exploring this beautiful and interesting country of Jordan.
