To become a true global citizen, one must abandon all notions of otherness and instead embrace togetherness.
Suzy Kassem
UNESCO MGIEP focuses on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.7 towards education for building peaceful and sustainable societies across the world by developing programmes that promote social and emotional learning as well as innovate digital pedagogies.
In a world of growing fascism and increasing intolerance against immigrants and cultural, social and religious minorities, the game ‘Bury Me, My Love’ strives to question right-wing populist sentiments in a visceral and heartfelt manner.
Through this game, the senior students at Modern were taught to question sentiments of intolerance and empathize with the plight of refugees.
The title of the game arises from the translation of an Arabic expression that one would say to a beloved — “Bury me, (as in, put me to rest in the grave) my love” — to imply that they wish to die before their partner to avoid having to face a life without him/her.
The storyline of the game follows Nour, a Syrian refugee who wishes to escape Syria and migrate to Europe. As a player, the students are given the role of Nour’s husband, Majd who communicates with and advises her through a WhatsApp-like interface. Their choices on what Nour should do ultimately decide her fate and students are welcome to explore every possible outcome.
While each student is at a different level of the game, the theme of human rights and the plight of refugees is evident throughout. It is almost impossible to imagine that the game is inspired by a true story. In fact, the name of the game has been directly picked by the creators of the game from the last text message sent to Dana (the Syrian woman whose real-life story and struggle became the inspiration for the game) by her mother as the young Syrian girl left the country.
By the end of the programme, each student is likely to experience growth in their own thought process along with their character, which will mark a step forward in their journey to becoming ideal global citizens.
