Somerville representatives plan trip to Morocco

University of the Middle East staff present the symbol of Tiznit to Mayor Joseph Curtatone and his staff. Photo courtesy of the University of the Middle East. By Julia Fairclough Learning about other cultures makes for better teachers who are sensitive to diversity, which is especially important when working in a multicultural community like Somerville. The same rings true for painters, musicians, healthcare workers, and just about every other profession. That's why the city of Somerville just entered into a Sister Cities Civic Participation and Leadership Initiative with Tiznit, Moracco; a cultural and professional exchange that entails inviting 30 participants to travel there in December. The group said while there are already several teachers and city officials attending they are looking for artists to join the entourage. "Somerville and Tiznit are very similar; there are lots of artists and influences," said Omar Boukili, a Moroccan native and office administrator for the University of the Middle East (UME), the Somerville-based organization that promotes educational leadership and civic engagement through cross-cultural understanding. "Tiznit is more progressive, and a very special town, like Somerville." Located near the Moroccan Atlantic coast and the Tachila and Ouarzemimene mountains, Tiznit is known for its handcrafted silver jewelry. More recently, Tiznit (population of 55,000) has undergone an influx of both Moroccan and international artists who have settled on the hills surrounding the city in search of serenity and inspiration, Boukili said. UME brought the sister city partnership proposal to Mayor Joseph Curtatone last summer. Curtatone and some of his staff will be travelling to Tiznit. UME wants a cross-section of Somerville residents to attend, which also includes doctors and public health experts, non-profit administrators, city planners, and business owners, said Ray Matsumiya, UME's executive director. The sister city exchange is facilitated by UME, which will provide the translation, and logistical and cultural advisory services. The five-day professional development and cultural experience is designed to set the stage for a productive sister cities partnership, he added. UME has a long-standing relationship with Morocco. For the past 12 years, the UME has sought to empower the most motivated and progressive secondary school teachers of the Middle East, North Africa, and the US through professional development and exchange programs that equip teachers with the skills and knowledge to broaden their perspectives and horizons. It was six Moroccan teachers who came up with the sister cities idea and to form a partnership with Somerville, with the hopes that this will be an ongoing relationship, Matsumiya said. Last summer, teachers from Tiznit visited Somerville and came to the high school to spend some time with teachers. From there, Somerville became interested in gathering a group of teachers to go to Tiznit, said Dr. Vincent McKay, the assistant superintendent of schools. It was a natural fit, he said. Ten teachers from various schools in Somerville will attend in December. "It's about opening our doors to the world," McKay said. "Learning about other cultures makes them better teachers who are sensitive to diversity." Talmadge Nardi, who teachers English at the Academy of the Pacific Rim in Hyde Park, participated in a UME trip to Lebanon last year. She said the trip opened her eyes in more ways than she ever dreamed. For example, she worked on a collage project with Lebanese teachers that looked at their life experiences. Their collages were deeply influenced by political repression and conflict resolution, while Nardi's was more "hearts and stars," she said. "I thought I would learn about other cultures, but also ended up learning a lot about myself," she said. More information on the Sister Cities Initiative with Tiznit: The trip's agenda includes a luncheon with the mayor of Tiznit, tour of the city, presentations, cross-cultural community building activities, site visits to schools and other applicable organizations, and group discussions. The cost of the program is $1,150, which includes all accommodations, food, and trip activities. It does not include air travel. Those interested in traveling to Tiznit can download an application at http://ume.org/programs/open-applications or call (617) 440-1636.