Teens from Mideast to seek peace at retreat

[idontwantaname]

<snip>
To Gordon, Project TRIUMPH was an invaluable experience that shaped the way she views others.

"I learned to carefully listen to other political opinions, even if they are opposite of mine," she said.

She cited the workshop about prejudice as having the biggest effect: "It showed me that stereotypes are a way to deal with the fear you have of another group.

"When I met the Arab kids, my stereotypes were shattered and that was a big thing for me," she said. "The project opened my eyes to see people as not part of an ethnic group; we are all humans, and that's what is important."

Project TRIUMPH volunteers are encouraged by their efforts.

"I don't pretend to be able to see an umbrella of peace over this troubled region, but when a young Arab says to you, I never talked to a Jew before and now I have Jewish friends,' you know you're doing something right," Block said.

For the most part, there is optimism about the Middle East's future.


http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/apr/12/teens-from-mideast-to-seek-peace-at-retreat/

[LeftishBrit]

1. Sounds like a very good project!

I hope it expands and thrives; and there need to be a lot more such. I strongly believe that such grassroots projects that bring people of different groups together are among the best hopes for peace.

There are a number of such projects supported fpr example by the Alliance for Middle East Peace (www.allmep.org) and the British Shalom-Salaam Trust (www.bsst.org.uk).

One of the most interesting projects of which I'm aware is the Neve Shalom village and school.

http://nswas.org