Day Two and Three

Participants showed growth and development in thinking and analyzing information from different sources, such as media, word of mouth and news. They processed how to transform conflict into peace. Students strongly engaged in the discussions of different ideas on how to create images and artwork that would represent conflict resolution.

Although some participants needed more clarification on the concept of transforming conflict into peace, they were able to come up with some sketches as well as ideas of how their representation of peace would appear. The majority came up with ideas of reconciliation and reviewing of the current laws. The interesting part is when one of the participants kept asking and wondering why conflict and violence are sometimes confusing, especially when expectations of the society about a certain type of conflict dramatically changes to an unexpected pattern resulting into confusion in the society.

The challenges experiences were: Some students were interested in their conflict types like personal and interpersonal. However, they were not comfortable to put down their peace resolution sketch. In what ways can the student be encouraged to present their solution without feeling their private life is not exposed? How can they be encouraged to create artwork without feeling negatively about the task?

Views on Conflict and Peace

It is interesting to see what the different perceptions individuals have of conflict and peace. I learnt that what one views as violence or conflict has contextual, spiritual or moral attachment to that individual. I also discovered that there is a common view of some of the kinds of conflicts in a particular context.
If a conflict is not dominant in a particular community, people of that community will have different view points than those of the affected community. Many of the conflicts described where those that included harming someone physical.

This is a video link of a young Tanzanian girl (Gretude) who does not go to a prestigious school in Tanzania. Most prestigious schools are expensive. They are equipped with technology, support programs, qualified teachers, learning materials and a conducive learning environment. Despite lacking these services she is hardworking in school and was selected to present at the UNICEF conference at the High-Level Signature Ceremony for the Paris Agreement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKNwR4nLLo8

I would like to  share a link about a young girl who was courageous to reach her goals despite the challenging barriers and circumstances in her community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjGL6YY6oMs&list=PLbpi6ZahtOH43OjjuL-2FN1PZJDseLXSN

Snap shot

My name is Margaret Mwingira. I am a graduate student at Indiana University. I am a language and culture instructor for the African Studies. Before joining Indiana University. I studied at the University of Dar es Salaam and Stellenbosch University in Matieland South Africa. I worked as an English language and social science teacher in secondary and high school levels, as well as for special needs individuals and groups. I chose to work closely with marginalized groups in my community in Tanzania for purposes of promoting and investing in higher education, particularly for girls.

My various experiences have enabled me to explore multiple, effective, and fun ways of learning a variety of topics, particularly through music. The topic "empowering women" is obviously perceived differently from one context to another, thus resulting into the same topic being interpreted differently in its respective contexts. My objective is to use such themes circulating issues of empowerment to create the understanding of the role of empowered women through arts and music.