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Beirut, June 28, 2005
Lebanese and
Palestinian youth show the way
What
role did the Palestinians play in the Lebanese
war? What should the Lebanese do to provide to
the Palestinians rights and safety?
These are just some of the questions that will
be discussed during the two coming week-ends,
July 2-3 and July 9-10, by 40 selected Lebanese
and Palestinian students. The event is the first
part of The Lebanese and Palestinian Youth
Dialogue on Conflict Resolution, a project which
aims to tear down walls of prejudices and
ignorance between the two youth communities -
and replace them with bridges of understanding
and communication.
"Dialogue paves the way to better understanding,
and eventually solutions to divisive issues
especially when approached with objectivity and
an open mind," says Aline Hitti, one of the two
project coordinators.
The
project is carried out by three non-governmental
organizations JCC (Joint Christian Committee for
Social Service), PHRO (Palestinian Human Rights
Organization) and MIRSAD (Multi-Initiative on
Rights: Search, Assist & Defend). It is funded
by the European Union with
50.000 Euro, equivalent to
approximately 75 million Lebanese Pounds, in
collaboration
with the
Office of the Minister of State for
Administrative Reform through the AFKAR Program.
Each
of the two weekends 20 students with different
backgrounds and views will meet at Deir Saydet
El Bir in Jel El Dib. Round table discussions,
role playing and team building activities will
be a part of the program that should bring them
closer together, and closer to an understanding
of each others history and current problems.
"As
today’s youth we should establish a relationship
between each other different from that of our
parents," says Karim Abu Dhahi, one of the
Palestinian students selected to participate in
the project.
The
two dialogue weekends are just the beginning of
the project, which will continue throughout this
year. During the coming months the 40 Lebanese
and Palestinian students will visit each others
communities, participate in the same human
rights workshop, and establish a volunteer
network where they can continue the dialogue.
The
press is invited for both weekends. To get a
program or more information contact the two
project coordinators:
Aline Hitti, phone: 03-636 450, e-mail:
alinehitti@yahoo.com
Sharif Bibi, phone: 03-087 289, e-mail: cheshab@hotmail.com
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