An Important Note from the Lab Regarding Current World Events

SECD Lab Statement on Israel and Gaza

The events in Israel and Gaza cannot help but yield a profound sadness, including among those, like our Lab, dedicated to advancing the well-being of young people. War-related events with tragic impact on children and adolescents-- as well as others, of course-- have a long history. We join in the grief of those suffering these losses, as well as asking, "How can such things happen?" What we are seeing serves to challenge what we think we know about the environments in which children are raised, and how much work still lies ahead of us in prioritizing human dignity in all cases. When we see inequity in schools, we must learn to look deeper. When we see a failure to be inclusive, we must question more insightfully and persistently. Our mission-- promoting the social-emotional and character development of young people toward positive purpose-- has become both more urgent and more complicated if our goal is to make a substantial difference and help young people aspire to lives of noble and peaceful contribution. As we extend our sympathy to those who have suffered and are suffering horrific losses for which there can be no adequate justification, we also renew our pledge to work toward a future in which the life and well-being of children and their caregivers will be given the highest priority and are held as the highest common value, without exception or qualification. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, with a slight amendment: “We must come to see that the end we seek is a world at peace with itself, a world that can live with its conscience,” – delivered on March 25, 1965, in Montgomery, AL.

We are dedicated to providing resources and support for our community to help cope with the horrible events that are occurring, engage in informed discussions, and find assistance when needed:

Crisis Lines:

• https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

• https://www.crisistextline.org/

• https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/resources/

• https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/resources_disaster_violence.asp

Resources for Educators/Community:

• https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/10/10/israeli-palestinian-conflict-how-to-help/71125353007/ 

• https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/how-to-talk-about-the-israel-hamas-war-resources-for-educators/2023/10 

• https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/handle-with-care-supporting-young-people-during-crises 

• https://uwaterloo.ca/public-health-sciences/resources-instructors-decolonize-and-indigenize-teaching

• https://www.teachingforchange.org/educator-resources 

• https://www.nctsn.org/resources/talking-to-children-about-war

• https://babesabouttown.com/2021/05/talk-to-our-children-about-palestine/

• NASP Supporting Youth Affected by Violence in Israel and Gaza.pdf

• NASP Talking to Children About Violence.pdf

• How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War