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Social Transformation Journey

Photo 1 Social Trans Training

Social transformation sounds like a nice idea, but how does positive social progress actually take place? On April 20, 2017, a group of 14 YES Alumni from across the West Bank tried to find out.

The alumni attended a three day “Social Transformation Journey” training in Ramallah. They spent their time learning to analyze culture, structure, individual assumptions, attitudes, and behavior in a way that helps them rethink assumptions.. This eventually helped participants understand where their true needs lie so that they can work collectively to create the needed change in their communities.

In one of the main sessions, the “wave exercise”, the alumni brainstormed social trends in their communities and categorized them under four categories: trends on the horizon, emerging trends, established trends, and dying trends. After discussing the different trends and how they are affecting them individually and in their communities, the participants narrowed them down by prioritizing the most crucial trends in their communities. The West Bank YESers agreed on following three most pressing issues: the status of women in Palestinian society, preserving public property, and volunteerism.

Photo 2 Social Trans Training

The next big step of the Social Transformation Journey workshop was to research a timeline of historical events relating to each of those issues. The alumni discussed how those events played a major role in changing or transforming the development of each of the three main issues. This activity helped participants understand where some of social values come from, and whether they are imported or influenced by neighboring societies. 

The outcomes of the trainings were impressive. The alumni came up with three different concrete project models that they intend to work on to create positive social transformation and help their communities develop. The training was also an opportunity for the alumni to reflect on their personal identities, beliefs, and attitudes, and get a reality check about how their personal actions affect their communities.

Overall, the Social Transformation Journey workshop was a big step in the beginning of a long process. It helped the alumni strengthen their personal attachment to their society and opened their eyes to the reality they are facing. They are now more motivated and better equipped to reach their ultimate goals -  creating social transformation within their communities and across the globe. 

Photo 3 Social Trans Training

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