Heritage

46 heritage for peace and reconciliation | manual for teacherContentsbasic rights specified in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 39). 5Educators who teach on topics relating the past to the present should consider the experiencesof these children. In some cases, it can be helpful to involve the experiencesof these children in class.tp Teaching practicef The students recognize and articulate the ethical and social issues embedded in theschool’s own First World War history.The Royal IBIS School in Bredene, near the Belgian coastal town of Ostend, is aunique school, and not just because of its characteristic marine-styled uniform. Itwas founded by Prince Albert of Belgium in 1906 to provide education and trainingfor orphans who were raised in a fishing-industry environment. Over the years, thisboarding school has developed into a safe haven and stimulating learning environmentfor 6 to 16 year olds coming from socially challenging backgrounds. Surroundedby water, with modern infrastructure and within walking distance of the beach, theIBIS offers both a home and an education (either primary education or maritimesecondary education) to a maximum of 110 boys.For more information:www.ibisschool.beWhen the First World War broke out, the school decided that it was not safe for thechildren to stay in Flanders. On 13 October 1914 – the day before the Germans capturedOstend – the IBIS staff, together with 20 schoolboys who had stayed behind,embarked on IBIS V (0.75) and IBIS VI (0.76), two Belgian steam trawlers sailing toMilford Haven in Wales, Great Britain. There, the staff and students found refuge atthe local secondary school. Throughout the entire War, Milford Haven would remainthe most important refuge for IBIS.In December 1918, IBIS VI was the first fishing vessel to dock at the port of Ostendafter the War. The ship was escorted by the military, and stocked with fish as a giftfrom the Belgian ship-owners at Milford Haven to the hungry people of Ostend.5 Article 39: States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recoveryand social reintegration of a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse; torture or anyother form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recoveryand reintegration shall take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity ofthe child.