2023 Oleander Application
The Oleander Initiative is Now Accepting Applications for the 2023 Program for Educators From the MENA Region
Please click on the link below to download an application
Who is Eligible to Apply?
For US educators: Junior high or high school teachers of any subject are welcome to apply. NGO leaders and informal educators working with youth populations of the same demographic (12-18 years of age) are also eligible.
For Middle East/North Africa educators: Only alumni of previous UME programs are eligible for this program.
Due Date: April 9 ,2023
Program Costs: For educators in need of financial assistance, UME provides scholarships covering some or all program costs including instructor fees, internal travel within Japan, accommodations, meals, and events.
Admissions Process: An in-person or video-conference interview is required for all finalists. The Oleander admissions committee may also request additional materials or recommendations.
Notification Date: Participants selected to attend the Oleander Initiative will be informed of their status in mid-May/ early-June 2023.
Questions? Please email Oleander@ume.org if you have any questions
Program Summary
Months after the atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan, a small patch of red oleander flowers bloomed out of the irradiated rubble. Since then, red oleander has symbolized both the dangers of nuclear war and the hope of a more peaceful future. In a similar spirit, the Oleander Initiative leverages the “power of place” of the city of Hiroshima – the first city to be devastated by nuclear weapons – to harness the power of education to promote more peaceful societies.
The Oleander Initiative gathers educators from communities around the world to work together and transform the lessons of Hiroshima into relevant and impactful peace education activities for their students. The Oleander Initiative generates deep awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and equips participants with intellectual tools for conflict resolution and mutual understanding.
Program Description
The Oleander Initiative is a seven-day, cultural, professional, and educational exchange opportunity for junior and high school teachers (ages 12-18) of all subject areas from the Middle East amd North Africa. This program will take place in Hiroshima, Japan, from July 26 to August 1, 2023 (tentative). Teachers must be proficient in English to attend this program.
The objective of the Oleander Initiative is to design peace education activities for your students based on your
experiences in Hiroshima. To this end, the program is divided into two phases. Phase one is designed for participants
to gain a full, multifaceted understanding of the “lessons of Hiroshima,” or what can be learned from atomic bombing of the city.
In phase two of the Oleander Initiative, participants will design, refine, and implement educational peace activities for their classrooms and communities based on their experiences in Hiroshima. Prior to the program, participants will be asked to propose their activity (in this application), read academic papers, and review relevant literature/research
selected by Oleander faculty. Participants will also be asked to engage in extensive online dialogue and facilitated discussion sessions with fellow participants prior to the start of the program.
Program Activities
- Instruction from top academics in the fields of peace education and nuclear weapons issues
- Testimonials from hibakusha atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- August 6thatomic bombing memorial ceremony hosted by the city of Hiroshima
- Educational collaborations with teachers and students from Hiroshima
- Attendance at the World Conference against A & H bombs, the oldest and largest of its type
- Personalized guidance to assist development of educational activities best suited for Oleander educators’ local contexts
- Visits to Miyajima and Hiroshima Castle
- Cultural Activities including Kagura performance, tea ceremony, and calligraphy
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