Teaching civics and non-violence

The course is a result of a collaboration between Magistrate Lapointe, the school’s Director, and EWI.

It teaches young people about the voting process – which they practice by conducting classroom elections – and about democratic governance, the importance of having a voice, and the power of non-violence.  To date, 300 students completed the course. It will continue to be offered each year at both the Patrice Lumumba school and the Ganthier high school.  

Most Haitian public schools do not teach civics. In a country where the rule of law is often neglected, where politicians frequently overstep their boundaries, and where the majority of the population is unaware of their rights, the teaching of civics is vital.