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Youth Peacebuilding
For over 35 years, the School for International Training
(SIT) has provided life-changing intercultural experiences for youth and
professionals working in diverse contexts. It has developed effective
models for youth programs which address global issues and build meaningful,
supportive relationships among young people who care about improving their
world. Each summer the School holds a two week peacebuilding and leadership
camp for international youth at its campus in Brattleboro, Vermont. Participants
have included Greek- and Turkish Cypriots, Israeli Jewish and Arab youth;
Catholic and Protestant high school students from Northern Ireland; and
high school students from the U.S. The youth participants dialogue with
each other on issues of common concern, build supportive peer and mentor
relationships and join a growing global network of youth peacebuilders
supported by Internet web conferencing. A visit to Boston and a full complement
of recreational activities are included in the program.
The Youth Peacebuilding Camps include a balanced representation of young
people from different sides of a conflict, such as Greek and Turkish Cypriots,
Israelis and Palestinians, and representatives from other groups in conflict.
They range in ages 16 to 20 and have the demonstrated maturity and leadership
potential needed for the camp, as well as the commitment to participate
in follow up activities when they return home.
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The camp offers primarily experiential simulations as well as some informational
sessions during the workshop to help the participants develop skills in
conflict management, team-building and group decision-making. Faculty
and staff run short workshops in which the participants are challenged
to heighten their skills of observation, reflection, critical analysis
and problem-solving as they relate to intercultural situations. The knowledge
and skills gained are applied toward a personal working definition and
operating model of effective intercultural communication. Other sessions
emphasize more personal self-knowledge and general relationship skills
for teens. The participants have many opportunities for their own bicommunal
dialogue with trainers from their own cultures and also benefit from larger
group sessions in which they learn how other cultures in conflict manage
their differences. Outside of these focused group sessions, the participants
engage in outdoor challenge, recreational and social activities designed
to help them utilize the knowledge and skills gained in the training and
informational sessions. Processing of these activities stimulate reflection
and discussion of the issues raised during the group sessions in addition
to providing fun, relaxation and sharing among the participants. Working
with facilitators from their countries, the students also plan a conference
to be held at the end of the camp to present their strategies for working
toward more peace and understanding when they return to their homes.
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