Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education
Encyclopedia
The Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-SE), formerly known as the Center for Monitoring the Impact of Peace (CMIP), is a non-profit organization that monitors the content of school textbooks. It examines school curricula worldwide, especially throughout the Middle East
, to determine whether the material conforms to international standards and is teaching recognition and acceptance of the 'Other'. The organization believes that education should be utilized to encourage tolerance, pluralism and democracy, and promote peaceful means of solving conflicts.
In October 2011, IMPACT-SE opposed the recognition of Palestine
at UNESCO
, arguing that the Palestinian Authority does not meet the organization's recommendations for becoming a full member.
, Saudi Arabian, Syrian, Egyptian, Tunisian, and Iranian textbooks. The organization has published reports relating to the understanding of terror, the role of religion in schools, as well as on the "indoctrination" of children in Iran.
According to the organization's website, criteria one through eight were recommended by UNESCO
experts.
, who—in his Democracy, History, and the Contest over the Palestinian Curriculum article—described CMIP's reports on Palestinian textbooks
as "tendentious and misleading." CMIP argues that Brown has not illustrated or substantiated this claim.
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, to determine whether the material conforms to international standards and is teaching recognition and acceptance of the 'Other'. The organization believes that education should be utilized to encourage tolerance, pluralism and democracy, and promote peaceful means of solving conflicts.
In October 2011, IMPACT-SE opposed the recognition of Palestine
State of Palestine
Palestine , officially declared as the State of Palestine , is a state that was proclaimed in exile in Algiers on 15 November 1988, when the Palestine Liberation Organization's National Council adopted the unilateral Palestinian Declaration of Independence...
at UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, arguing that the Palestinian Authority does not meet the organization's recommendations for becoming a full member.
Scope and impact
The organization analyzes Israeli, PalestinianPalestinian textbooks
Various research institutions have carried out studies into the representation of Israeli Jews and the State of Israel within school textbooks published in the Palestinian territories, by the Palestinian Authority....
, Saudi Arabian, Syrian, Egyptian, Tunisian, and Iranian textbooks. The organization has published reports relating to the understanding of terror, the role of religion in schools, as well as on the "indoctrination" of children in Iran.
Methodology
The organization analyzes textbooks according to the following criteria :- "Is the data given accurate and complete?"
- "Are illustrations, maps, and graphs up-to-date and accurate?"
- "Are the achievements of others recognized?"
- "Are equal standards applied?"
- "Are political disputes presented objectively and honestly?"
- "Is wording likely to create prejudice, misapprehension, and conflict?"
- "Are the ideals of freedom, dignity, and fraternity being promoted?"
- "Are the following needs being emphasized: international cooperation, elaboration of common human ideals, advancement of the cause of peace, and enforcement of the law?"
- "How are other peoples, religions, and communities perceived? Are they recognized, accepted as equal, and respected? Or are they presented in a stereotyped and prejudiced way?"
- "Does education foster peace? Does it support a peace process? Is there room for improvement?"
According to the organization's website, criteria one through eight were recommended by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
experts.
Publications
Publications by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education include:- Egyptian textbooks: Jews, Christians, War and Peace in Egyptian School TextbooksJews, Christians, War and Peace in Egyptian School TextbooksJews, Christians, War and Peace in Egyptian School Textbooks is a March 2004 publication by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education , known as CMIP at the time of publication...
(published March 2004) - Iranian textbooks: The Attitude to the "Other" and to Peace in Iranian School Textbooks and Teachers' Guides (published October 2006)
- Israeli textbooks: Arabs, Palestinians, Islam and Peace in Israeli School Textbooks (published 2000–2001, updated 2001–2002 from Arabs and Palestinians in Israeli Textbooks)
- Palestinian textbooks: Palestinian Textbooks: From Arafat to Abbas and HamasPalestinian Textbooks: From Arafat to Abbas and HamasPalestinian Textbooks: From Arafat to Abbas and Hamas is a March 2008 publication by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education and the American Jewish Committee...
(published March 2008) - Palestinian textbooks: Jews, Israel and Peace in the Palestinian Authority Textbooks: The New Textbooks for Grades 5 and 10 (published June 2005)
- Palestinian textbooks: Jews, Israel and Peace in the Palestinian Authority Textbooks: The New Textbooks for Grades 4 and 9 (published August 2004)
- Palestinian textbooks: Jews, Israel and Peace in the Palestinian Authority Textbooks:The New Textbooks for Grades 3 and 8 (published May 2003)
- Palestinian textbooks: Jews, Israel and Peace in the Palestinian Authority Textbooks and High School Final Examinations (published October 2002)
- Palestinian textbooks: Jews, Israel and Peace in Palestinian School Textbooks (published November 2001)
- Saudi Arabian textbooks: The West, Christians and Jews in Saudi Arabian Schoolbooks (published January 2003)
- Syrian textbooks Peace and the "Other" in Syrian School Textbooks (published June 2001)
Criticism
The reports of the Institute for Monitoring the Impact of Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education pertain to the Arab-Israeli conflict. The organization's website provides links to critiques of the organization as well as the organization's response. One such criticism includes that of Prof. Nathan BrownNathan J. Brown (political scientist)
Nathan J. Brown , a professor of Political Science and International Affairs and the former director of the Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University, is a scholar of Palestinian and Egyptian law and politics...
, who—in his Democracy, History, and the Contest over the Palestinian Curriculum article—described CMIP's reports on Palestinian textbooks
Palestinian textbooks
Various research institutions have carried out studies into the representation of Israeli Jews and the State of Israel within school textbooks published in the Palestinian territories, by the Palestinian Authority....
as "tendentious and misleading." CMIP argues that Brown has not illustrated or substantiated this claim.
See also
- Palestinian Media WatchPalestinian Media WatchPalestinian Media Watch is an Israel-based media watchdog organization. Established by Itamar Marcus in 1996, PMW monitors Palestinian Arabic media and schoolbooks....
- Education in IsraelEducation in IsraelEducation in Israel refers to the comprehensive education system of Israel. Expenditure on education accounts for approximately 10% of GDP, and most schools are subsidized by the state.-Educational tracks:...
- Education in the Palestinian National Authority
- Education in EgyptEducation in EgyptEgypt has the largest overall education system in the Middle East and North Africa and it has grown rapidly since the early 1990s. In recent years the Government of Egypt has accorded even greater priority in improving the education system...