Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Only if we could sit together.



I am often asked - 

What's the impact 

of social-emotional learning?


I want to say that,

one day,

Israel and Palestine

will be able to sit down

and share their fears.

Talk. and listen.

Listen deeply.

To find ways

to co-exist.

Those in power, 

will recognise their responsibility.

No, not that it will happen in a day.

But they will come,

To sit with each other, again.

To talk, again.

To listen, again.

And, at times,

Sit in silence.

Look into each other's eyes.

To know there's hurt

and pain

and loss.

Tears may drop down,

if they close their eyes.

That they will extend 

a napkin

to each other

and when the tears have dried,

they may argue again.

Reset some.

And repair a lot.

And then one day,

they may find that

all that mattered was 

- They sat together.


But all I say is - 

Ah well, we are building 

an evaluation framework 

that's being piloted 

in 22 schools. 

We will be able to tell you then.



#SEL #socialemotionallearning #Conflict #genocide #genocideingaza#Gaza #palestine #israel #listening #children