The Youth of Jerusalem
A leadership and media training initiative integrated into the curriculum of East and West Jerusalem schools. By combining structured educational workshops with inter-school collaborative activities, participants gain essential tools and confidence to amplify their voices through media competency, and bridge societal divides, contributing to a more cohesive and inclusive Jerusalem.
Overview
Over the past two years, 0202’s media and leadership programs have connected and strengthened women from the diverse communities of Jerusalem. This new project launched in 2025 will introduce new opportunities for young high school girls across East & West Jerusalem, in their career pathways, and personal development, and strengthen their ability to critically engage with the complex reality in which they live in.
Project Details
The project will begin with 2 schools: The Schmidt Girls College of East Jerusalem, which has already committed to participation in 2025 and held its first class orientation session on 29.01.25, and a school from West Jerusalem, which is currently undergoing a selection process for participation.
The project will involve 30-40 young women aged 15-18, with equal representation of participation from each school.
0202 will introduce a series of 12 workshops into the formal curriculum of both schools, training young women in videography, photography, media editing and design, ethical journalism, leadership skills, and storytelling. This practical skill set will enable participants to become effective in the creation of visual and audio media productions, including short documentaries, news media journalism, and podcasts, forming a range of applicable skills for use in both advocacy and further career opportunities.
The workshops will focus on topical issues relevant to young women in Jerusalem, such as mental health and well-being, access to education, safety in public spaces, cultural & individual expression, and intergroup relations. We will provide a school-backed platform where students can explore relevant issues that would benefit from advocacy and strategic media use. This initative enables students to produce visual content that highlights their perspectives and experiences, amplifying female voices in spaces where they are often underrepresented.
Over three months, weekly 90-minute sessions will be led by specialist educators working directly with the students. The students' final projects will serve both as assessment items for school curriculum grading and a launchpad for their ability to use their newly acquired media and leadership skills for advocacy. 0202 will provide program graduates with direct means of public engagement through our social media platforms with a reach of half a million people annually, public speaking opportunities and other means of advocacy and outreach.
Interschool Activites
A vital aspect of this project is fostering interaction between students from both schools through joint educational events and collaborative activities. This initiative will provide a rare opportunity for young women from diverse backgrounds to encounter, connect, and build mutual understanding, laying the groundwork for stronger intergroup relations among the next generation of Jerusalem.
Activities will include a half-day event at the Sam Spiegel Film School, where students will watch and discuss locally directed films addressing communal issues. They will present their final media projects to one another to facilitate shared learning and joint exercises will foster bonds between the students as they work together to create joint media projects.
We aim to create long-term connectivity and networking between East and West Jerusalem schools and act as a model program that can be scaled throughout senior grades and additional schools in the region.