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A project of Digital Futures for Palestine Consortium partners United Palestinian Appeal, Kids Online and Project Harmony
The Shaqa'iq Educational Video Series Distribution Project aims to provide Palestinian schools with a dynamic new educational resource aimed at inspiring youth. In particular, the project targets young girls to encourage their career development and to develop the practical skills necessary for success in the global economy today. Shaqa'iq was established by Kidz Online with initial funding from the US Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative and was originally targeted for implementation in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon (see: http://www.kol-shaqaiq.org/). The series profiles young Arab women professionals as role models for teenagers throughout the region. Each episode profiles women in interesting career tracks. They discuss the many facets of their jobs, the requisite skills and training, their accomplishments, and the challenges they overcame. They discuss the ways in which being female has influenced their success, as well as the role of the men in their lives and their family support systems.
 The underlying principle behind the Shaqa'iq curriculum is that young adults need role models to inspire and encourage them to work towards greatness. Students may not be aware of the educational and career opportunities that surround them. They may decide not to continue with education because they cannot see how it would affect their practical life. The Internet and technology can bring different worlds to them that they may be interested in pursuing. While the education offered at any one school site may be limited by resources, personnel, and a variety of other factors, the possibilities of distance learning are endless and help people bring almost any career paths to their doorstep. Training in how to use these tools and opportunities to see role models who have succeeded in new arenas against the cultural odds should provide students with the moral support necessary to continue in an educational context that they find intriguing. This is the most appropriate way to meet the objective of increasing life-long learning because it is becoming the worldwide way of accomplishing and facilitating life-long learning.
The target audience of Shaqa'iq is both male and female teenagers, particularly those who may not be inclined to continue their education beyond basic schooling. The project emphasizes that the male population is part of the target because they must see the importance of closing the gender gap for lasting change to occur. Without males supporting females in this endeavor, growth will be slow, short lived, and painful. For this reason, this resource is relevant and appropriate for distribution and use in both girls and boys schools.
 A teacher's toolkit has been developed to assist educators in utilizing Shaqa'iq videos as teaching tools in the classroom. The toolkit includes a CD-ROM copy of all Shaqa'iq videos, suggested discussion topics and lesson plans, student worksheets and evaluation forms, technical instructions and requirements for use. This project will make use of the video profiles and teacher training materials already developed by supporting distribution of Shaqa'iq materials to schools across Palestine.
Through this quick win project implemented by the Digital Futures for Palestine Consortium, 1500 schools across the West Bank and Gaza will receive Shaqa'iq toolkits, implement lessons and activities using Shaqa'iq resources, and provide evaluation feedback and plans for wider distribution and use for the resource in their schools and communities. As a result, youth will gain increased exposure to women role models and will broaden their awareness of the linkages between educational development and professional success. Through this distribution and implementation effort, Shaqa'iq resources will be deployed and used in 1500 schools across West Bank and Gaza. A post-distribution survey will assess the relevance and planned usage and implementation of Shaqa'iq resources as educational tools in Palestinian schools. Subsequent activities and support will look to support broader distribution to schools and community groups, and seek opportunities to integrate usage of Shaqa'iq materials into the curriculum.
 This quick win project is being implemented by members of the Digital Futures for Palestine Consortium consisting of the United Palestinian Appeal, Project Harmony, Kids Online and Connectivity Partners International. For this project, Kidz Online will provide the content and educational materials, United Palestinian Appeal will oversee selection of, distribution to and evaluation of use by participating schools across the West Bank and Gaza, and Project Harmony will provide assistance with online coordination, project evaluation and follow-on planning.
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