A vision for Democratic Education as part of the movement for Democracy in Israel/Palestine and worldwide

It has been almost two years since I spoke at IDEC 2006, my last formal encounter with Democratic Education. In my talk at the conference I discussed the history of the state of Israel from the beginning of the Zionist movement until today. Using a PowerPoint presentation I outlined the effect of the Zionist movement on our land, emphasizing the current realities of occupation, discrimination and racial separation which are enforced by the Israeli authorities upon the Jewish and Palestinian populations of the land. I then discussed some of the grass roots education and activist projects which I have taken part in over the last few years such as seminars for youth who are contemplating their army service , joint (Palestinian‐Israeli‐ International) protest against the Israeli built separation wall, support groups for young Conscientious Objectors, alternative summer camps for youth and others. After the first part of the talk I had the chance to answer some questions by the other participants in the conference and later I had a chance also to talk to some of them in private as well.