KUWAITI STUDENTS' TERRORISM TRIAL ANYTHING BUT "MOOT"

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000426 SENSITIVE, SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP (JSAWYER),NEA/PPD (PAGNEW, DBENZE),S/CT, NEA/PI, R E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL SOCI PTER KU ZR SUBJECT: KUWAITI STUDENTS' TERRORISM TRIAL ANYTHING BUT "MOOT" ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: "The experience of a lifetime" is how one Kuwaiti student characterized her participation in a course titled "Rhetorics of Cultural Dissonance" offered at the American University of Kuwait (AUK). This course was developed with USG-funding and aimed at countering the influence of extremists and the arguments used to justify terrorism and recruit Arab youth to violence. Based on the students' views on the course, expressed during an informal exchange with Ambassador Jones on April 21, the curriculum has succeeded in developing critical thinking, respect of the "other," self-awareness, and acceptance of alternate points of view. During the "moot court" exercise, which acts as the culmination of the course, students role play the prosecution, defense, and jury in a terrorism trial. On trial is not just the accused, but Kuwaiti students' preconceptions of terrorism, religious duty, civil rights, and democratic freedoms. Embassy Kuwait and AUK are seeking additional funding to expand the curriculum and support its spread from AUK to other universities (public and private) in Kuwait and in the region. END SUMMARY. -------------- RHETORICS OF CULTURAL DISSONANCE -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In 2008, Embassy Kuwait, with funding from the Strategic Engagement Initiative and PAS discretionary funds, wrote a $60,000 grant to AUK and Dr. Rawda Awwad to develop an experimental course designed to counter terrorism and extremist ideologies by teaching students to critically examine the world around them and the arguments used by extremists and moderates alike. The curriculum that emerged under the title "Rhetorics of Cultural Dissonance" is being taught in the 2008-2009 academic year as a two semester course at AUK with 50-60 students participating. In addition to intensive readings of Western and Eastern philosophy and political thought and current news, the course involved digital video conferences (DVCs) with students at Dartmouth College, AUK's partner U.S. institution, and will culminate in the simulation trail or "moot court" of a terrorist suspect. Our simple objective was to have the students struggle first hand with the issues the United States faces in dealing with Guantanamo detainees; Dr. Rawda took the project far beyond in extremely effective ways. ¶3. (U) During a classroom visit by the PAO and CAO on the opening day of the trial, the students impressively displayed their enthusiasm for and knowledge of U.S. legal concepts such as innocent until proven guilty, due process, and reasonable doubt. Final jury deliberations will be staged as a public performance in May for the entire AUK student body. ¶4. (U) On April 21, 2009, Ambassador Jones visited Dr. Rawda Awwad's class at AUK. The students were engaged in their final project -- a simulation "moot court" exercise, during which they role play the prosecution, defense and jury in a terrorism trial. In this simulation trial, the accused is charged with treason, conspiracy and incitement to terrorism; based on his involvement with an Islamic Center and public speeches in an unidentified U.S. city. The Ambassador visited on the third day of the trial and watched the questioning and cross examination of a witness. At the beginning of the class, the Ambassador and students had a frank 15-20 minute session during which the students talked about their experience of the class and how it has changed their worldview. -------------- "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER" -------------- ¶5. (U) The students waxed eloquent about their experience of the course. They told the Ambassador that "knowledge is power" and they now feel comfortable countering "ideas with ideas" and engaging in a dialogue both within their society and across cultures. They said the course taught them to read and think critically and to look for the commonalities instead of the differences, which in turn breaks down prejudices and pre-conceptions. One student said she felt the course had helped her to expose the manipulations young Arabs are subject to and to start separating "the religious from the political from the cultural." One student said the recent speech by the Iranian President on racism was an example of non-productive rhetoric. He said Arab and Muslim leaders need to communicate with other countries not dictate or grandstand. ¶6. (U) The students' highest praise was for the DVC sessions with their peers at Dartmouth College. They said it was "priceless" and showed that the relationship between "East" and "West" is not a simple equation - the "West" is a known quantity and the "Arabs" are misunderstood. Rather, said one student, "everyone needs to be educated [about one another]." They said the DVCs highlighted the need for more communication and asked for more such opportunities to engage with American students. -------------- COMMENT KUWAIT 00000426 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶7. (SBU) By cultivating critical thinking skills and forcing young Kuwaitis to examine and accept other points of view, this program is reducing students' vulnerability to extremism. Embassy Kuwait supports the spread of this curriculum from AUK to other universities (public and private) in Kuwait and in the region. Post hopes additional USG funds to support this project will be forthcoming. END COMMENT. JONES