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Teaching American Values: The Role of Social Studies Texbooks in the U.S. Year of publication: 2005 Author: بيدرسون، باتريشيا Corporate author: Lebanese Association for Educational Studies (LAES) The study addresses the role of social studies textbooks in the U.S. in teaching values to students. Although there is no unified curriculum for social studies in the U.S., individual U.S. states, or groups of states, might opt to use the same textbook. American social studies books emphasize the values of good citizenship, cooperation, mutual dependence and tolerance in a country characterized by wide ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity. Textbooks also emphasize information-seeking skills, which are necessary in any active democratic situation. Social studies textbooks undertake the mission of teaching the components of the American national identity, and this allows to view values and beliefs prevalent in American society. On the other hand, the study addresses the development of American social concepts and values from the white racist era to the current era of cultural pluralism, a concept built around freedom, separation between religion and the State, individualism, authority of the law and human rights. The study discusses five groups of standards, issued in the 1990’s, that are used in teaching social studies. They constitute a platform for developing social studies curricula in different U.S. states and for assessing students achievement in this subject. American textbook publishers, thus, have at their disposal standards that traditionally present the U.S. as a constantly forward-looking country, and one in which every individual can achieve success. 
The Unified History Textbook: The Possible and the Impossible Year of publication: 2012 Author: ضو، أنور Corporate author: Lebanese Association for Educational Studies (LAES) The freedom to educate, guaranteed by the (Lebanese) constitution, has led to an educational pluralism which has not helped in promoting our social cohesion. Indeed, sectarianism has permeated our efforts for nation building ever since the Millet system of the Ottomans and until the Taef Accord. There was thus an urgent necessity to unite the historical memory of the citizenry in order to advance the elements which join together and fill in the chasm separating the Lebanese.The members of parliament meeting in Taef took the decision: Both the textbooks of history and civics must be unified! Following continual meetings and great efforts of historians and educators, the aims and curricula of the history program were set and were published as decree number 3175 in the Official Gazette number 27 dated June 22, 2000. The books for the first cycle were subsequently published, but they were not implemented, though the reasons for that were not substantial. The matter remained stalled until Dr. Hasan Mneimneh became minister of national education and restarted the work on the new curriculum.The committee charged with the task completed the curriculum for the elementary and intermediate levels but this has not yet been adopted by the council of ministers. The aims set for the history school program and published in decree number 3175/2000 are appropriate, in my opinion, for all the Lebanese, whatever their affiliation.They remained above sectarianism and confessionalism and Lebanese chauvinism, and were at home in the wide expanses of the Lebanese and Arab perspectives, as well as open to all humanity. They emphasized diversity in unity rather than pluralism which suggested division.They also emphasized seeking historical accuracy, and that is why I believe that the unified history textbook is possible and not impossible. Unifying this book will be the start of a long process which will lead to strengthening the sense of belonging to one state, and will eliminate sectarianism. This is because it was established on principles which I believe are important, and which I have detailed in this paper. 
Quality Issues in Higher Education Institutions in Arab Countries: Synthesis Study Year of publication: 2014 Author: الأمين،عدنان Corporate author: Lebanese Association for Educational Studies (LAES) This synthesis study addresses outstanding issues and trends concerning quality in higher education institutions at the regional level. It is based on case studies from eleven higher education institutions in Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco and on the ten standards used in these studies.The study shows that "the mission of the university" has a marginal position in most institutions; that government institutions are similar in their lack of financial and administrative independence; that there is a lack of independence in some academic respects such as the selection of students, faculty and programs in a number of countries; and that governance is lacking accountability, transparency and partnerships. Indeed, there are governance problems in private universities. Institutional research is not evidently known while all universities have some relevant plans even though these plans have not been implemented in a number of cases.The universities that are under study are generally unilaterally funded, their resources are scarce and the cost per student is low, however; private universities that were subject to this study in Lebanon and Morocco have sufficient resources. The most satisfactory element of the institution is the buildings and annexes thereto.However, at times, there are problems in terms of student overpopulation, poor level of services, scattered buildings, lack of maintenance and inadequate equipment, laboratories and libraries. There is a duality in student admission between Humanities and the Physical and Applied Sciences disciplines in favor of the latter which causes lower conditions in the education and assessment of the Humanities discipline.There is not enough information about the scientific productivity of faculty members, which reflects the marginality of scientific activity. The number of faculty staff is sufficient but there are serious problems regarding their promotion, performance assessment and professional development. Data on students are scarce in terms of students’ selection, influx, graduation and diversity; and support and guidance opportunities remain scarce.Quality assurance in Egypt is a governmental responsibility and there is no such thing in Morocco and Lebanon instead there are some initiatives and attempts. Some private universities in Morocco and Lebanon are engaged in obtaining quality assurance from international bodies. 
Preparing Arab Teachers for the 3rd Millennium: Trends & Challenges Year of publication: 2007 Author: جرار، سمير Corporate author: Lebanese Association for Educational Studies (LAES) The chapter outlines the challenges and trends in teacher preparation in Arab states. The need is to improve instruction and raise its quality in the knowledge-based societies. After discussing the history of teacher preparation in Arab countries, the author advocates a re-examination of the training process, so that it conforms to new visions of education and the ever changing role of the teacher. He also advocates partnerships between Faculties of Education and schools, so that they can carry out the task of preparation. The chapter stresses the importance of adopting new criteria for accepting newcomers to the teaching profession; seeking to renew teacher training programs at the university level on a continuing basis. The author highlights the importance of adopting measures that have become common, such as teacher certification and program accreditation, training programs and promotion and setting standards for teachers. Finally, it calls for establishing a research center specialized in teaching and instructional methods. The center will produce professional models for preparing teachers. 
Responsible History as a Tool for Historical Reconciliation? EUROCLIO, the European Association of History Educators as a Case Study? Year of publication: 2012 Author: فان دير لييو-رورد، يوكي Corporate author: Lebanese Association for Educational Studies (LAES) Many university researchers specialized in the theory of history and in teaching history write about reconciliation using history learning and teaching. However, there are almost no empirical data on practical applications of such approaches nor on the process of implementation. In this contribution. I’d like to have a close look at the working methods of the European Association of History Educators EUROCLIO, in countries with internal political, racial and religious tensions, such as Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Moldovia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and in the countries and regions that were recently exposed to severe conflicts such as Bosnia, Croatia, Cyprus, Georgia, Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. Then I’d want to ask the question about how EUROCLIO functions and explore what applies to be an example of reconciliation through teaching history, and whether the reconciliation approach creates a history teaching and learning that would be supportive of sustainable political entities. 
Achieving Social Justice Through a Demographic-driven Initiative: Responding to the Unique Needs of Youth, Women and Refugees Year of publication: 2017 Author: Nader Said-Foqahaa | Nicholas Hyman Corporate author: International Labour Organization (ILO) The Arab world is currently going through a period of great socio-economic change, unprecedented since the revolutions and wars of independence more than half a century ago. The issue of social justice, which has been a challenge to Arab states over the past decades, is a matter of particular concern. The authors attempt to establish a conceptual background of social justice, and to discuss its linkage with youth, children, women, and refugees. The paper concludes with recommendations on social justice in the Arab world. 
What's Left of Spring? A Long Path towards Social Justice In the Arab Region; Case Study: Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco Year of publication: 2015 Corporate author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) “What is left of the spring? A long path towards achieving social justice in the Arab region” is the first in a series of social development reports that ESCWA intends to publish. It comes two years after the publication of “Spring Promises: Citizenship and Civic Participation in the Paths of Democratic Transition,” the study that reviewed the general context surrounding the so-called Arab Spring and addressed the challenges facing achieving social justice, consensus and maintaining social cohesion during political transitions. This report is also issued the day after the international community adopts a new global path for development, which is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, of which social justice is the main pillar. 
ESCWA Water Development Report 8: The Water-related Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab Region Year of publication: 2019 Corporate author: UN. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN. ESCWA) Water-related SDGs have a central role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its interlinked Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. While the dedicated goal on water (SDG6) aims to ensure availability and the sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, pursing this goal supports the achievement many other goals. Regional monitoring and reporting of the water-related SDGs thus supports a better understanding of water across the sustainable development agenda and provides insights on the progress and challenges facing the Arab region as it aims to achieve the SDGs and associated national targets under conditions of water scarcity and increasing water stress. This eighth issue of the Water Development Report of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) examines the water-related SDGs from the perspective of water security and scarcity in the Arab region. It identifies ways to assess and address present and projected water scarcity at the regional and national levels for various climate change scenarios. It reviews regional and national water strategies and action plans coherency with global water-related goals and targets. The study analyses how the water-related SDG targets and indicators can guide the development of policy measures to tackle water challenges in the Arab region. Proposed policy interventions include measures to conserve and protect water resources and generate additional nonconventional water resources. Selected policy options are quantified and analysed for two climate scenarios for the future period 2030-2050 in view of informing sustainable planning and appropriate decision support systems to optimize and rationalize water use. The report also provides insights on institutional mechanisms in place for monitoring and implementing water-related SDGs at various scales. 
Embracing Diversity: Toolkit for Creating Inclusive, Learning-Friendly Environments Year of publication: 2014 Corporate author: UNESCO Beirut The UNESCO Regional Office - Beirut has translated and localized the collection of manuals produced by the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Asia and the Pacific - Bangkok. The guides, “Accepting Diversity: A Guidebook for Creating Learning-Friendly University Environments,” provides practical tools and guidance for making schools and classrooms inclusive, learning-friendly, and social, gender- and physical-sensitive among children.This guide is one of the nine guides that have been produced, which, in total, aim to assist teachers, school principals and educational officials to create an inclusive and learning-friendly learning environment, by providing a variety of methods, examples, tools, tips and instructions that help the teacher to perform his duties, manage the classroom and prepare A suitable learning environment for all. 
Arab Sustainable Development Report 2020 Year of publication: 2020 Corporate author: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) The 2030 Agenda calls for transformative change and paradigm shifts. Mobilizing domestic and external resources is a pressing challenge in the Arab region, and the pace of efforts on the SDGs must accelerate. However, transformative change not only requires financial resources and an acceleration of efforts but, above all, demands a shift in orientation and approach towards policy integration, environmental sustainability, and universal human rights with their emphasis on equality, justice, inclusion, fundamental freedoms and participatory politics.The story of the SDGs in the Arab region, therefore, is also a story of human rights, gender equality, sustainability and integrated development. The gravity of the task, and the scale of the ambition, are greater than measuring progress at goal, target and indicator level. Five years into the era of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, the present report is a reminder that the starting point for implementation and the horizon for achievement must be aligned for change to be transformative. It is only through the alignment of policies and other interventions with the overarching framework of the 2030 Agenda that the region, and the world, can hope to achieve the 2030 Agenda. How close, or how far, the Arab region is from this alignment is the story the present report aims to tell.