In collaboration with the Finnish Institute in the Middle East, the Lebanese American University, and the Finnish History Association (FHA), The Lebanese Association for History (LHA) organized on December 6, 2014 a workshop entitled “Lessons from Finland on History Education”. The workshop was attended by 40 teachers from 18 Lebanese schools and the Finnish Institute in the Middle East. The workshop facilitated by Riitta Mikkola (FHA), vice president of the Finnish History Association, presented the new educational reform in Finland with a special focus on History and Social Studies. By engaging teachers in group activities, the presenter led them to consider the concept of “National Identity” within the context of Lebanon. She also explored with them ways to invest Art and Monuments in teaching History by providing examples from Finland.
Participants at the end of the day engaged in an activity to use Lebanese arts and monuments in their lesson designs. Although a lot of knowledge has been acquired, this event was a great opportunity to nurture a sense of collegiality and community among the group.
The workshop comes as part of previously established cooperation between the LAH and the FHA who organized together a two-days conference on “Teaching and Learning the Civil War” in June 2013.