Typically, I tell students about my travels and living experiences abroad. I have lived and worked for long periods of time in Thailand, Burma, Greece, Spain, and France. I often solicit questions and begin a discussion with the kids, if time allows. Then I read from my work. I am an excellent reader and have presented my work in festivals, workshops, reading series, and writing conferences across Canada, in the U.S., in Asia, and in various countries in Europe and the Middle East.
After my reading, the students are encouraged to ask questions. We often get into interesting discussions about living in different cultures, feeling divided between different cultures, speaking other languages, and the difficulties and joys of living abroad. Much of my writing is focused in way or another on human rights and censorship issues, which I can focus on or minimize according to the school's needs. I believe that students are citizens, and have a responsibility to learn about and act upon the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This can be applied in a very direct way to discussions about bullying, as dictatorial governments are organizations of bullies. To frame a political discussion in this way is very helpful in getting kids to understand that the people who suffer under corrupt and violent regimes are just like them--people who want to live free, healthy, and safe lives.
