World

Camp Peace: Achieving Peace Without Wars

by sara star | May 21, 2009 at 07:57 am

238 views | 62 Recommendations | 4 comments

While we were busy reporting and reading about world threats, a peaceful story quietly slipped on by. On March 31, 2009 a simple fundraiser was held in Ottawa to raise money for Camp Peace.

A question asked of me a while ago... “If not by armies, how do we achieve peace?” As a pacifist, I found the question incredible, and difficult to answer to those who don’t understand what it is like to live peacefully. How about not pointing another gun at another human being? Too simple, perhaps. Building trust amongst a diverse globe is essential. It won’t happen over night. Whether pacifist or soldier, we strive for the same goal.

While countries will be busy funding their armies, while international forums will be using their clout, and while enemies will continue to debate nuclear arms, these 20 students will be meeting in Ottawa in August. Ten students will be from Israel and ten from Palestine.

It was an idea started in 2004 by Michelle Divon, daughter of then-Israeli ambassador Haim Divon: a summer peace camp in Ottawa that would bring Israeli and Palestinian students together with Canadian students to share stories, work on arts projects and get to know each other a little better.

This year's event, to be held Aug. 2 to 14, will bring 10 Palestinian and 10 Israeli students aged 16 to 18 to Ottawa. Organizers are also working on a reunion in Jerusalem in June for previous participants.

There was four films at the fundraiser.

The audience will see four films by Israeli, Palestinian and Canadian students who attended a similar camp in Vancouver last summer presented by the Peace it Together Society. The students were given cameras and asked to produce their own films while at the event, talking about their experiences.

The films, Loubani says, "accept the reality that there is conflict but try to move the students and the communities forward to a peaceful co-existence and a just solution."

Comment at the 2005 meeting

Campers participate in daily discussions about the Middle East conflict, and learn about each others' religion and beliefs.
Palestinian camper Bisan Salameh told Canada AM that just seeing the faces of Israelis has been an enlightening experience.

She said he has been able to see "the human side of the Israeli – not being my enemy, but the Israelis themselves. Having the same hopes, having the same interests."

Peace Camp Nova Scotia

Peace Camp Nova Scotia (PCNS) works to bring together Palestinian and Israeli teens, aged 15-17, for two weeks of intensive dialogue, creative arts and leadership building on the grounds of St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Amy Judd

at 10:45 on May 21st, 2009

Amazing, good for them - and thanks for this story that we missed.

Babel-Fish

at 15:32 on May 21st, 2009

The problems of the world unfortunately can not be solved that way due to way authorities are set up the politics and religion and the ideals and greed of the elite.

However its an attempt even though its just a like tear of purity splashing into a sea of hate of a thousands of years of greed and struggle.

Paschen

at 15:56 on May 21st, 2009

It is a good idea and may contribute to help, however it wont solve it not be the solution.

The problem has to be solved much earlier and way before it reaches our world stages it starts in the school year and at home with the Bullies and the radicals or teasers...

Every buildings most important futures are its foundation, its roof and structural integrity, one can not be fixed with out the other as well.

The German and Japanese models are or would be an example to follow and learn from, even their constitution includes a close of non aggression.

Nothing last though of not maintained and uphold with vigilance.

However we do promote violence more so then peace in our world and we glorify it as well, in our monuments and our arts as well as in our teachings.