To make the world go round, you need both givers and takers, with each depending on the other’s existence in order to have any kind of impact. Ranwa Yehia would definitely qualify as a giver. As far as simple ideas go, a summer camp is nothing new; an effective activity that not only keeps the kids busy during the long holiday months, but also an alternative method of education that has far-reaching effects. Ranwa is the project director and concept developer of the Arab Digital Expression Camps (ADEC), which are two-week residential, fun-based camps for Arab children held in Egypt. “The goal of the camps is to empower Arab youth from around the world - both from underprivileged backgrounds as well as those who can afford it,” she says. The camps encourage youths to develop the skills to translate their own ideas, fears and dreams reflective of their culture and identity through the use of advanced digital technologies. From making videos, to designing web sites to blogging, kids are allowed freedom of expression with their projects.

It may sound like a simple idea, but it is also an essential one, and something Ranwa believes can have a life-altering effect on Arab youths today, especially those who have little or no access to technology in their home countries. “There is proof from individuals from all over the world who speak volumes of the impact of similar experiences on their lives, careers and personal development,” she says. “On many levels, adults tend to forget or underestimate the capacity children have and continue to be overwhelmed with the amazing results children produce by merely being exposed to simple, but well-thought of methodologies,” Ranwa adds. Ranwa began working on the camp concept in November 2005 and two years later, during the summer of 2007, the first camps were held. “Arab youth are the major driving force of progress and socio-economic development in the Arab region and ‘digital’ will be the way they express themselves in arts, politics, sciences and humanities,” she says. “The idea is to make ADEC a place where young Arabs can be integrated within the global village with two vital skills - critical thinking and digital know-how,” Ranwa adds.

Hoping to tap into the creativity of young kids, ADEC brings together teenagers, teachers, experts and artists from across the Arab world, who together will learn, share experiences and acquire access to digital knowledge, which will hopefully inspire creativity from the kids. Campers have the option to focus on one of four fields, guided by professionals from different areas of expertise, who will offer custom-designed advice, training and practical skills. The fields to choose from include graphic design, digital music and sound, digital video and animation and web design. In addition, traditional extracurricular camp activities like theatre and sports, as well as plastic arts and a printing press club are also on the schedule to expose campers to even more different areas. “We have called on the expertise of a network of Arab experts, who are already established in their field and have produced works in self-expression, to provide training and advice for ADEC kids,” she adds. One of ADEC’s goals is to encourage Arab contribution to the global web content, therefore transforming Arabs from being mere receivers of information to actual participants. In fact, ADEC’s roots go back in history to the summer of 1984, when a similar project aimed to do the same - the Arab Computer Camps - which was a major non-profit initiative that lasted a decade, with the goal of exposing Arab youth to new technology, removing inhibitions toward it and learning basic programming skills. With over 10,000 participants over the ten years, they provided the inspiration for Ranwa to revive and update the initiative under the name ADEC and take it a step further, by maintaining an ongoing dialogue online.

To keep up the momentum built over the two weeks, the campers will take home a little bit of their experience from the camp so that they can share it with others. Each camper is given a CD and DVD that includes everything they’ve learned, as well as their final project - be it a short film, design or piece of music. And for the sake of ‘staying connected’, they’re also given several open-source software programmes, so they can stay in touch and share information with their mentors and friends, long after the camp is over. It all sounds rosy, but now in it’s second year, ADEC is also facing some challenges - campers’ enthusiasm not being one of them. Securing funding to sponsor disadvantaged campers, who cannot afford to attend has been a constant source of concern for the organisers of the camp. Whether it’s from private sources or part of a company’s corporate social responsibility programmes, ADEC are always looking to bring more people on board and appreciate any help they can get.The first camp held last year brought together 64 children from across the Arab world and was, by all reviews, a resounding success. That is, if you consider the fact that someone like Mohammed el-Soussi, a 12-year-old camper from Gaza was able to develop a comprehensive technical project proposal for a community portal in Palestine, which was uploaded onto their online portal - a success. And that’s just one example. To view other projects completed by kids visit www.arabdigitalexpression.net.

http://www.7days.ae/en/2008/07/10/express-yourself.html