PROGRAMS FOR REFUGEES:
EDUCATION FOR PLURALISM, DIVERSITY
Programs for Refugees: Education For Pluralism, Diversity
Hardwired
is working with educators across the United States to help communities move beyond mere tolerance and diversity to embody
pluralism -
the active engagement with people from different backgrounds and beliefs based on respect for the rights and freedoms of others. Hardwired's programs differ from recent
diversity, equity and inclusion programs that focus on external and historical factors that differentiate people. Instead, Hardwired's programs are grounded in understanding the inherent dignity and equality of each person, regardless of their differences of background and belief. Through our programs, we help people understand the importance of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, speech and expression for the flourishing of all people in a free and pluralistic society. Hardwired has trained and equipped thousands of educators who have shared our lessons with tens of thousands of students in more than 30 countries who are bringing greater respect for the dignity and freedom of others into their classrooms, schools, families and communities. By increasing respect for diversity of thought and freedom of speech, they are leading students to embrace civil dialogue and peaceful engagement across their deepest differences, fostering pluralism and respect for human rights, and reducing bullying and intolerance in their schools and communities.
How It Works
Hardwired’s training programs help educators move beyond mere tolerance, diversity and inclusion, to truly bring the values of pluralism to life for students. We provide a variety of professional development opportunities for educators as well as direct-to student programs for the community. We have partnered with the YMCA and national refugee resettlement agencies as well as public and private schools to provide opportunities for communities to address local challenges to human rights and pluralism.
Our professional development programs for educators equip them to:
(1) develop lessons and curricula using conceptual change theory that can be applied to or within existing curriculum,
(2) develop skills to encourage critical thinking, facilitate dialogue and the open expression of diverse ideas, and improve engagement across differences in the classroom,
(3) implement lessons that help students understand their rights, build empathy and respect for others,
(4) help students overcome bullying, censorship, isolation, intolerance, and mitigate conflict in the classroom, and
(5) improve their ability to evaluate student learning and conceptual change.
Hardwired's training equips educators to integrate rights-based lessons into their classroom and curricula to help students develop a deeper respect for the freedoms which are essential in a pluralistic culture. As a result, students are better equipped to engage in meaningful dialogue with one another and can begin to move beyond tolerance and embody pluralism - active engagement with people who are different than them based on sincere respect for their fundamental freedoms and dignity. Ultimately, they develop new attitudes and behaviors that they carry beyond the classroom, in their schools, homes, and community.
Through our programs teachers and students can:
- Develop a greater understanding of pluralism and human rights, including freedom of conscience, religion, expression, speech and equality.
- Respond to real-life challenges to pluralism.
- Reduce bullying and intolerance in the classroom.
- Improve equal treatment and respect of others, including girls, minority groups, and newcomers.
- Welcome diversity of thought and expression and engagement across our deepest differences.
- Build cultural awareness and understanding for the dignity and rights of people of different backgrounds and beliefs.
- Reject conflict and actively stood up to intolerance and bullying.
As teachers and students build a culture of pluralism and respect for human rights in their classroom, communities are beginning to change and everyone is experiencing greater freedom, dignity and security.
Promoting Respect for dignity and rights of others Through pluralism education
Impact of the Programs for Refugees
On Students
Students who participated in our programs are able to articulate their rights and understand their responsibilities; and they can apply them to real-life situations. They are better equipped to respond to bullying and intolerance with non-violent solutions and are becoming more respectful and inclusive of people who are different from them.
On Refugees and Newcomers
Refugees and newcomers who have participated in our programs are better equipped to engage with American students and share their ideas and beliefs in public. They are also able to articulate their rights and responsibilities better for themselves and for others.
On Teachers
Teachers who received training feel better equipped to handle difficult classroom situations, promote discussions on human rights, and respect for the rights of others. Many feel empowered to incorporate these lessons into their curriculum and continue to cultivate pluralism and human rights long-after the training concludes.
On Community Leaders
Families and members of the community have become more engaged with students through the program. They have read the lessons and attended student performances of a Hardwired play and other events, leading many to share how they are thinking differently about their religious and ethnic differences and rebuilding trust and unity after years of conflict.
The Fruitopia simulation made everything easy-to-digest and easy to teach students about.
Teacher, Kidinnu Academy, El Cajon, CA
Hardwired is saving lives and changing the world...teaching people they deserve to be free.
Kathy Ireland,
Founder and Chief Designer of kiWW
(Kathy Ireland WorldWide)
I love what they are doing and I want to be a part of it.
Enes Freedom, former NBA Basketball Player and Human Rights Advocate
Navigating Pluralism and Diversity in the Classroom
Students and teachers across the United States face a growing challenge: how do you navigate diverse cultural differences and a marketplace of ideas in your classroom and community — particularly with those who are much different than you? Hardwired’s solution is to embed respect for human dignity and freedom of conscience in the culture of the classroom.
Refugee and Student Testimonies: Virginia
With funding from Virginia Humanities and in partnership with national refugee resettlement agencies, Hardwired brought American students and refugee students together in cities across Virginia to discover their fundamental rights and how to defend them for one another.
Teacher Testimonies: California
Hardwired provided a professional development course for teachers at the Kidinnu Academy in El Cajon, California. The school has a significant population of students from refugee families and the training program equipped them with new skills to help their students understand their rights and defend them for one another.
Engaging Youth in Charlottesville, Virginia
CBS19 News joined Hardwired in Charlottesville, Virginia for a youth program that promoted understanding and respect for human rights among refugee and American students. In partnership with Welcoming Greater Charlottesville, the International Rescue Committee, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, students shared their stories and left inspired to engage with youth who are different from them, while honing their basketball skills with Enes Freedom.
Reaching Children Through The Peaceful Garden
Business mogul and former Supermodel, Kathy Ireland, joined Hardwired at the Lewis Winter Botanical Garden for a special event with children featuring Hardwired's children's book, "The Peaceful Garden". After hearing Kathy share the story, children planted flower pots as they discussed the importance of their fundamental freedoms, regardless of their different backgrounds and beliefs. The lessons are available for purchase in Hardwired's bookstore.
Enes Freedom: Hardwired For Freedom Award
Hardwired presented Enes Freedom with the Hardwired for Freedom Award, which is dedicated to individuals who exemplify the courage and commitment to defending the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief in society for all people. Hardwired Founder and President, Tina Ramirez joined Enes on Fox News to share how Enes has supported Hardwired's work with youth and inspired many to stand up for the rights of others in their schools and communities.
What We Offer
Multi-Session Training Course
Teachers experience Hardwired's unique simulation that models pluralism and are equipped to apply it in their classrooms and curriculum. Experienced Hardwired staff guide and support teachers throughout the program - from developing new lesson and implementation to evaluating understanding of pluralism and human rights.
Full-Day In-Service Training Course
A full-day, hands-on training where teachers experience Hardwired's unique simulation that models pluralism and are equipped to apply it in their classrooms and curriculum. Teachers learn about the key values and rights required for pluralism and how to cultivate those values in their classroom. This includes freedom of expression, speech, and belief among other rights.
Peaceful Garden Express
A streamlined option for educators who want to incorporate Hardwired’s library of children's books and corresponding activities to teach about human dignity and pluralism. This is designed for younger students and we have collaborated with schools to bring in one of our partners, including Kathy Ireland and Enes Freedom, for a special guest reading and activity.
Changing Attitudes, Changing Behaviors
Conceptual Change as a Model for Teaching Freedom of Religion or Belief
Journal of Social Science Education
In this article, Hardwired provides substantial evidence of the impact that education and training programs in the area of religious freedom and human rights can have in combatting religious intolerance and violence in the world. In response to the growing prevalence of religion-related conflict globally, people need a framework to understand those who believe differently than them. However, there are very limited educational programs for children on the human right to freedom of religion and teachers are often unprepared to address sensitive religious issues. Additionally, human rights education on the freedom of religion has never been developed fully. The article demonstrates that conceptual change theory and strategies can be applied to areas of the social science, such as human rights education on religious freedom.
Evaluating the Impact of Conceptual Change Pedagogy on Student Attitudes and Behaviors Towards Controversial Topics in Iraq
Frontiers in Education
Global efforts to address the spread of intolerant ideologies that foment radicalization, discrimination, and violence are fraught with controversy. Hardwired Global developed a teacher training program based on conceptual change theory and pedagogy to fill these needs.This published study in Frontiers in Education assesses our findings of conceptual change pedagogy on students’ attitudes toward pluralism and related rights within culturally sensitive contexts.
Promoting Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence Through a Master Trainer Program
International Journal of Arts and Social Science
In the article, Hardwired shares how teachers we have trained to train others moved from being a trainee to training others. The training experience illustrates the long-term impact Hardwired’s program can have on pluralism education for teachers. The Trainers gained greater confidence in their own ability to train teachers and the teachers trained showed significant gains in conceptual change regarding knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about the human right to freedom of conscience, religion or belief. The efficacy of the program lies in its approach to those educators who would otherwise never ―opt in to a training on human rights or associated topics. To this end, Trainers are able to reach educators in a way Hardwired itself, as well as other organizations, cannot. This contributes to the sustainability of the model.
Key Values
Pluralism
Active engagement with people of different backgrounds and beliefs with respect for their inherent dignity and rights.
Human Rights
Inherent rights guaranteed by nature of one's humanity, and acknowledged as universal standards for all people in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Religious Freedom
The freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief as defined in Article 18 of the UDHR, protecting an individual's right to have and express their beliefs.
Human Dignity
The idea that every person has inherent value and worth by nature of their humanity and regardless of any characteristic and therefore require certain human rights to express their humanity.
You Can Create a Culture of Freedom and
Help Change the World
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Hardwired Incorporated
P.O. Box 14743
Richmond, Virginia 23221
Location:
1901 Huguenot Road
Suite 205
North Chesterfield, Virginia 23235
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