Up2Us is an interactive, multimedia experience for schools that explores issues of identity, prejudice, values and what it means to be an active citizen.

The intention is for young people to end the Up2Us experience feeling inspired and empowered to treat each other better and to make a difference in their schools, communities and country.

The programme will create opportunities for the participants to reflect, share and interact with the content and issues presented in Up2Us.

Up2Us features voices and inspiration from young people as well as from celebrities like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Connie Ferguson, Ahmed Kathrada, Bobby Skinstad, Elana Afrika, HHP and The Parlotones.

One of the founders of Freshlyground has produced a theme song for Up2Us bringing together three diverse musicians. Participants will engage with their story of what it meant to come together to create a song of unity, hope and inspiration.

Up2Us is planned to roll out in schools in 2011 after a pilot in the Western Cape beginning June 2010.

Shikaya has partnered with filmmaker Molly Blank to produce the documentary Where Do I Stand?

Across South Africa last May, hundreds of youth were caught up in xenophobic violence. Many picked up pangas, others, clad in the bright greens and maroons of their school uniforms, looted shops, while some of their classmates, refugees themselves, fled to safer ground. Some tried to help and still more stood by watching. The documentary Where Do I Stand? explores these young people’s experiences during the attacks.

The documentary will have its first South Africa Premier in June 2010 and it will be used in schools across South Africa.

for more information on the film visit  www.wheredoistandfilm.com

Where Do I Stand? is generously funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and Wallace Global.

]]> http://shikaya.org/our-work/where-do-i-stand/conversations-with-our-past/feed/ 0 http://shikaya.org/our-work/projects/conversations-with-our-past-2/ http://shikaya.org/our-work/projects/conversations-with-our-past-2/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:23:28 +0000 Amanda http://shikaya.org/?p=379

In 2009, Shikaya launched Conversations with Our Past – a series of intimate filmed discussions between leading South African historical personalities and History teachers talking about the past they experienced and the past they teach. Anti-apartheid stalwart, Ahmed Kathrada, began the first conversation. The talks are filmed so that they can be distributed to History teachers in the Western Cape and in other Provinces across South Africa.

In 2010 other leading South African historical personalities like Professor Denis Goldberg will be participating in Conversations with Our Past. To find out more about the next Conversations with Our Past or to reserve a space, contact us.

In 2009 Shikaya was invited to run a 5-week Facing the Past course for all of the 40 pre-service High School teachers at the University of Cape. The course centred around school integration and used the historical case-study of Little Rock in the USA as a means to help students grapple with their role as educators in creating inclusive classrooms and schools. The students worked with Facing History and Ourselves’ module Choices in Little Rock. To download this resource visit http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/units/choices-little-rock

Below is some of the feedback from the students:

“I found reflecting about who I am very challenging. I’ve always thought I knew who I am. But in now realise that there is still a lot I need to figure out. As difficult as it was I still think it was a useful exercise. I also learned a lot about other people and how they deal with things, and also to try and be more understanding even though I don’t particularly agree with them.”

“I enjoyed being able to cover specific issues in the classroom, such as how to effectively cover certain aspects. It is important for us as new teachers to go out ‘in the field ‘and be able to deal with particular situations. felt that some of us were perhaps not aware of issues and concerns .there was maybe a bit too much focus on racism ,but clearly some people feel strongly about this and appreciate it. Thank you for all the help and guidance.”

“This course has helped me become aware of prejudice and diversity and the way my classmates view different issues around this. I learned a lot about American history which I knew nothing about before, this was very interesting .I learnt to reflect and write down what I was feeling and then share my feeling with the class. I learnt that dealing with diversity might not be as simple as one might think.”