Learning with a smile

Simulation, storytelling and performing arts – **DEDI just published the Civic Edutainment Manual Vol 2, presenting three new methodologies**

There is so much learning needed, so why not get at it with a smile because it’s entertaining and we feel at ease? This is what “edutainment” is all about. No wonder, edutainment is becoming more and more popular in Egypt among initiatives and organizations: Using edutainment methods makes workshops much more appealing and engaging.

So far, DEDI has produced two manuals introducing various methods and explaining how to practice them. The aim is to enhance and facilitate the use of edutainment. The first manual was launched in 2019 and the second was launched in February this year.

Edutainment Manual Volume 2 has been produced in cooperation with Ambassadors for Dialogue Egypt. It contains presentations of three different methodologies used by three different initiatives: The Mortagal Team (formerly known as Al7awy team) using performing arts; The Animation School – Jesuit Cairo using simulation and Nut Initiative using feminist writing and storytelling.

The author, Menna Tullah Reda, has a master’s degree in Sociology and Social Anthropology from the Central European University. She has been a development and civil society practitioner for more than eight years, focusing primarily on youth work.

Theory and practice

The manual endeavors to bring together theory and practice, both local and international, pertaining to civic edutainment. This allows for a better understanding of how to work with civic edutainment methodologies in Egypt. Menna Tullah Reda has also included an overview of the literature on civic education, edutainment and edutainment practices in Egypt.

The documentation of each of the three initiative starts with a definition of the methodology and a summary of how it was used in different contexts. Following that, is an introduction to the initiative and its philosophy. Also, we learn how the initiative decided on the methodology in question and what the practise is like. Finally, there are general reflections on the methodology.

The manual is geared toward educators and civil society practitioners. It should help them to incorporate the

methodologies into their teaching and program design efforts. Researchers can also benefit from this manual since it brings together theory and practice on civic edutainment and its potential in Egypt.

The Launch event was held at DEDI. Following a welcome speech by DEDI’s Civic Education Unit Team, representatives from the three featured projects introduced their methods.

Also, Ayman El Hosseini who has translated the Manual into Arabic, explained the challenges of finding the right words. Finally, the participants had a vibrant discussion on the next steps for the Civic Edutainment Manual and how to capitalize on the existing efforts. The event was open to public and attended by a number of Civic Education practitioners and partners of DEDI.