Civic and Psychosocial Teacher Training Occupied Palestinian Territories

Reducing the Impact of Violence was a project implemented by TCC during the height of the Second Intifada and in a context of ongoing assaults by the Israeli military invasion. Palestinian children lived in a state of war, witnessing the death of thousands of Palestinians killed and tens of thousands injured as cities fell under Israeli military bombardment by plane, helicopter, tanks and gunships. Palestinian schools were similarly attacked in numerous incidents. The purpose of this project was to enhance the capacity of teachers’ to deal with children suffering trauma, reduce the negative impact of trauma on students - during and after the crisis -, and to reinforce civic education concepts. A Training of Trainers/cluster approach was used to provide training in counseling, crisis and civic education across 16 educational districts in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, enhancing the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of teachers