The challenges of maintaining democratic values in a multicultural society

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Rationale

The Center for Humanistic Education at the Ghetto Fighter’s House views takes upon itself the role of deepening understanding and identification with humanistic and democratic values and providing tools for moral judgment and civic involvement and responsibility.

At the center, the events of the Holocaust are examined as a starting point for understanding regime and societal processes from the past and present that bring people, groups, and entire societies to extreme and inhumane acts in the name of ideology or other motives.

The Center for Humanistic Education aims to strengthen awareness and the ability to address these dangerous processes.

The Center builds on the assumption that manifestations of extreme violence on racial or political grounds are the endpoints of a process and not incidental. We believe that is possible to strengthen the ability of police officers to deal with moral dilemmas by expanding their understanding of the complexity of the protection of human and civil rights in a democracy, and the comprehensive significance of the rule of law in a multicultural democracy.

The goals of the program

1. Deepening awareness of police officers of the complexity of cross-cultural interactions on the streets of Israel and the importance of sensitivity to this in the fulfillment of the role of law enforcement and maintaining public order.

2. Strengthening police officers’ psychological and physical resilience in dealing with complex situations

3. Equipping police officers with the tools to evaluate situations and choose appropriate responses in keeping with democracy and the rule of law.

Methodology

We work on two levels:

First: on the cognitive level, through the examination and study of societal processes, issues related to values, and moral dilemmas.

Second: on the emotional and interpersonal level, with the aim of strengthening sensitivity, humanity, and open dialogue between the police station’s staff.

Program Structure

Five sessions, each consisting of five academic hours

Participants: Up to 20 police officers from all parts of the station selected by the station commander, committed to full and active participation.

The preparation process involves a meeting between the Center for Humanistic Education team and the senior officers of the police station in order to coordinate expectations, select specific content, and allocate responsibilities.