FACE TO FACE (previously known as Worlds Apart HeARTS Together)
Worlds Apart HeARTS Together
Community Building Through Global Understanding
2006

Partners:
Washington Middle School
Book-It Repertory Theatre
Comparative History of Ideas CHID: University of Washington
College of Education: University of Washington
School of Social Work: University of Washington
Amy Biehl Foundation, South Africa and USA
Bridges to Understanding

Where:
Washington Middle School (WMS) May 2006
Archbishop Desmond Tutu visited Washington Middle School on Thursday, May 11, 2006 to launch the “Worlds Apart, HeARTS Together Project”. Archbishop Tutu spoke to an all school assembly encouraging compassion and understanding as students begin this project to engage in dialogue around race and equity in their lives. Among many other humorous, inspiring messages, Tutu told the students, “The world needs to know that we are different from each other NOT in order to live apart, but in order to live in a complimentary fashion together.” The Washington Middle School Jazz Band played the South African National Anthem for the Archbishop, to thunderous applause.

Overall Project Design:
The project was designed to create a community of students at Washington that step beyond the boundaries of the APP, Spectrum and Regular program tracks. They will stay with that team throughout the workshop week working together creatively do develop artistic responses to the themes were explored as well as participating in facilitated dialogue around these concepts as they relate to their school and their city and their perceptions of their place in the world. The intensive nature of the work bonded the teams and revealed a potential for re-imagined school community.

Teachers were provided with a 20-40 minute curriculum, which will include a student study guide, they also used this with their students prior to the workshop week. The program engaged students from Washington Middle School and the Amy Biehl Foundation in artistic workshops and civic dialogue promoting literacy and creative learning through authentic interactions focusing on cross cultural understanding and community building.

Book It Repertory Theater performed Cry The Beloved Country. Artists in residence were available during the program. Students and faculty from the University of Washington also participated.
Core value of “everyday courage”, responsibility, truth and reconciliation.
Driving Metaphor: “Courage is swimming against the current.”
Importance and Impact of truth/personal truth, while being uncertain of the consequences.
Central Question: What does South Africa have to teach us? As individuals, as a community, as a nation?
The phrase “I Will Make A Difference” Desmond Tutu Visit to WMS