Raising awareness through Palestinian student engagement: A public health nursing perspective

As a Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at University of Illinois at Chicago, I have attempted to raise student awareness regarding human rights issues in Gaza and to be specifically attuned to concerns raised by our Palestinian students. To that end I have invited speakers from an interdenominational peace team which worked in Gaza to address my Public Health Nursing course.  My intention has always been to encourage students to view social justice as a global concern with ethical ramifications for all practitioners. This past Spring we organized out third War and Peace Forum at the College. As part of the program we included a showing of Shelley Hermon's documentary on Gaza, "Within the Eye of the Storm." One of our discussants was Kristin Szremski, Director of media and communications for American Muslims for Palestine. The discourse following the film included students, their parents and assorted community members. As a Quaker, I hope to work more closely with our American Friends Service Committee in their efforts to promote peace and justice in Gaza and within our own communities.