Global newsletter
Face to Faith at the UN!
On 21st November 2013 Mr Blair was invited to address a special meeting of United Nations ambassadors on the very positive benefits that Education can have to increase understanding between different peoples around the world – particularly in terms of understanding of faith and belief. He will be referring to the work of the Foundation, and particularly to the amazing work that all our teachers around the world are doing with their classes to help their students become global citizens!
You can watch his recorded speech on our online learning community.
Rickshaws for Peace in Pakistan
Peace One Day Celebrations around the World
Many thanks to all of you who celebrated UN Peace Day! We are awed and humbled by your passion, energy, creativity, and ability to inspire your communities to spread the message of peace. From flash mobs in Italy, a massive signature campaign for peace in the Philippines, and an intrafaith dialogue between Sunni and Shi’a in Pakistan…your students made very important contributions to peace. Congratulations to the schools shortlisted for their amazing work. Jeremy Gilley will be choosing the winner of each category this week: Biggest event, most Interfaith Event, and most Creative Event. Here are the headline numbers for Peace One Day 2013:
- 102 schools hosted Peace Day events from 13 countries: Egypt, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, UAE, UK, Ukraine, and USA
- The number of people directly involved in the Face to Faith Peace One Day school events is estimated at just over 93,800 people
- Estimated size of community reach (raising awareness of Peace Day through their Face to Faith activities) is 2,283,000.
Talk Back to Hate: UN Human Rights Day Campaign
Face to Faith is delighted to support the Talk Back to Hate campaign of the United Religions Initiative this December. The UN International Day of Human Rights is recognized on the 10th. This year we are asking our teachers and students to teach, learn and dialogue about human rights with a special focus on hate speech and freedom of speech. We have prepared for you a fabulous series of lessons which will walk your students through what human rights are, why they are important, what different faith traditions teach about rights and compassion for others and focuses on the fine balancing act between freedom of expression and hate speech. These lessons are to prepare your students for encounters with those of different faiths and beliefs in four ways:
Face to Faith Image of the Month
Philippines Typhoon
Many Face to Faith teachers and students have been asking about Face to Faith schools in the Philippines following the recent tragic typhoon. Face to Faith’s Coordinator in the Philippines, Erwin Montojo, has written a moving blog about the events with information about how you can help should you wish to. You can read his moving account of the typhoon here.
Special Day VCs – Mark your calendar now!
FTF recognizes several of the United Nations Special Days by hosting a series of special videoconferences with experts from around the world. These are key opportunities for your students to discuss some of the most pressing global issues with leaders who are making a difference today. Save the following dates and plan to join our Special Day Videoconferences.
UN Human Rights Day 10 December 2013 – Book NOW for these Special VCs!
Peace and Coexistence 20 February 2014
UN International Women’s Day 6, 7 March 2014
UN Malaria Day 25, 28 April 2014
UN Human Trafficking Day 14 May 2014
Book Your Videoconference Today
The easiest and simplest way to book a videoconference is to take a look at the list of video conferences below and to see whether any of these fit your schedule and needs. If the answer is yes, then click this link here to book: https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Prescheduled video conferences for December 2013
DECEMBER
Wed 4th Dec
Introduction: faith, values & communities for students age 12 – 14
1am, 5am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm GMT
Thurs 5th Dec
Introduction: faith, values & communities for students age 15+
1am, 5am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm GMT
Mon 9th December
Human Rights with focus on free speech and hate speech (many sessions will have special guests) for students 15+
1am, 5am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm GMT
Tues 10th December
Human Rights with focus on free speech and hate speech (many sessions will have special guests) for students 12 – 14
1am, 5am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm GMT
Wed 11th December
Human Rights with focus on free speech and hate speech (many sessions will have special guests) for students 15+
1am, 5am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm GMT
Thurs 12th December
Human Rights with focus on free speech and hate speech (many sessions will have special guests) for students 12 – 14
1am, 5am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm GMT
Sunday 15th December
Human Rights
5am GMT 12 – 14 year olds
9am GMT 15+
Tues 17th December
Introduction (focus on festivals) for students ages 12 – 14
1am, 5am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm GMT
Fri 20th December
Introduction (focus on festivals) for students 15+
1am, 5am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm GMT