Over one year, Qisasna will train 32 virtual teams consisting of ten participants evenly divided between Americans and Yemenis. Qisasna instills global citizenship values and understanding of others among participants. It also provides participants with storytelling skills to help them develop more nuanced and empathetic views of others and with pathways for sharing their efforts with the broader public.
Activities
As part of a cross-cultural effort designed to enhance bilateral understanding and cooperation, participants join an orientation and complete a series of asynchronous podcast training modules. Afterwards, participants form bi-national podcast teams based on an interest survey, and then engage in a series of facilitated, online dialogues, along with asynchronous work, to create a pilot podcast. The activities are complemented by synchronous mentoring to support their podcast efforts.
- Number of Participants: 320
- Participant Age Group: High School/Grades 9-12; Undergraduate; Young Adult (Gap year students in particular)
- Partners in the United States: District of Columbia – International Center for Religion and Diplomacy; Washington – Kerning Cultures
- Partners in the Middle East and North Africa: Yemen – Yemen Family Care Association
- Project Duration: April 2021– June 2022