Angry Brexit debate prompts Moray listening lesson
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PUPILS from around Britain are in Moray today for a seminar about resolving conflicts in a grown-up way.
The ‘Learning to Listen’ symposium will be held at Gordonstoun school over the next three days, and led by a former member of a UN peacekeeping mission.
The youngsters will be urged not to follow the example set by politicians during Brexit.
Lisa Kerr, the school's principal said: "We have been appalled by the aggressive and confrontational tone increasingly adopted by world leaders.
"As a school founded by a Jew who fled Germany under persecution of the Nazis, which has always welcomed students from diverse backgrounds, we strongly believe that it is possible for people with different perspectives to reach a common understanding.
"We want to teach the leaders of tomorrow that empathy and understanding are the keys to find solutions with which everyone can feel settled.
"It is fine to disagree but there are better ways to express your opinion which will help all parties to reach a successful resolution."
The event is being led by Gordonstoun teacher James Smith who has a Masters degree in Peace and Conflict and was part of the UN peacekeeping mission to Haiti.
Mr Smith said: "The art of dialogue is very different to the art of debate. It is not about winning an argument but about understanding your opponent’s point of view so that you can reach the best outcome for all.
"This requires listening and empathy, essential skills which will help these students throughout their lives, whether or not they choose to become the politicians of the future."
Schools from across the UK are attending the free seminar.
Each was asked to nominate two pupils in their final year and a teacher.
One of the participants is Rachel Thomson who is aged 16 and goes to Govan High School in Glasgow.
She said: "I feel political debate at the moment is very argumentative and I don’t feel inspired by it.
"While the Donald Trump and Boris Johnson style of leadership is quite open through the use of social media, it is also quite careless and does not consider other arguments.
"They can give the wrong impression and cause divisions in society. There could be more cooperation and collaboration in order to come to a balanced decision.
"If there was more middle ground in the ideology, we’d have better policies implemented."
Rachel, who is taking advanced highers in history, maths and chemistry, said: "I’m planning on applying to study economics at university and the skills I learn at the symposium could help me in the business world when it comes to negotiations or discussions."
