Coding with Empathy Program

 

 

Etijah successfully launched its 1st round of online sessions as part of the Coding with Empathy program in partnership with Empatico, Code.org and with the support of the Stevens Initiative. This effort comes in line with Empatico’s mission to connect 1 million students around the world and with Etijah’s mission to empower the youth and enable them to make their voices heard. 

 

The program targets preparatory schools’ students to allow them to understand the link between non-technical skills such as SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) and STEM (Science, technology, Engineering and Math) and how to integrate both skills to solve community challenges. Students will analyze and understand real community challenges and learn how to address these challenges using computer concepts and tools, as well as SEL skills and ethical considerations. Students selected will virtually share their experiences, ideas and interest in computers with their American peers in a gamified manner created by Code.org. Students will also be in contact with Computer Science Mentors who will share their experiences and journey to inspire students. These sessions will be interactive, allowing students to share their questions, and to discuss future visions utilizing coding and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This project will be implemented in three governorates, Cairo, Alexandria, and Assiut.

 

 

Thus, it was clear that Empathy in (Coding with Empathy) as a skill and a value is crucial to allow for equal opportunities for self-expression and for the creation of a healthy space for constructive cross-cultural dialogue.

 

 

The Coding with Empathy project aims to provide young Refugee and Egyptian students aged between 11-14 years with the opportunity to express themselves with Coding exercises as the channel of communication and expression. The participating youth do not only communicate with youth from Egypt, but will also be able to communicate in the following phases of the project with their peers from the United States, thus increasing empathy and limiting cultural differences, and sharing their experiences regarding the importance of empathy and dialogue beyond the borders of Egypt and towards a borderless space for dialogue.