Events Calendar

	AEI-Open Windows News Non-violence Training Seminar MAN – Lyon 3rd – 13th July 2006 Four youths from the AEI New Graduates and Young Employees Youth Group, led by Mr. Fuad Giacaman – AEI-Open Windows Director General participated in an intercultural youth exchange in Lyon/ Paris. The name of the hosting organization is MAN (Mouvement Pour une Alternative Non-violente). Two different Israeli peace loving groups participated also in this youth exchange, which were; Refusnic and the New Profile. The first part of the seminar focused on learning values of non-violence, communication, representations, conflict management, mediation, so there were presentations, discussion meetings, working groups and ice-breaking games as well as cooperative and sportive games. It aimed at getting to know one another, to reduce the stereotypes, and to build bridges of better understanding as a step to pave the way for discussing hot issues, such as; mutual recognition, the vision of the Palestinian, U.N. resolutions, refugees' problem, cultural differences. The wedding of Ariane was fascinating with the ceremony, the reception, the priest and the witnesses. Our participation in the wedding with the Palestinian folkloric traditional wedding including, trilling, Dancing (Dabkah) was an added value to the beauty of this event. There were fun and cultural activities, such as watching football matches and Ghandi. The second part included more meetings with French organizations, official personalities from different towns in Lyon, councils, general assembly of Lyon when our participants presented the AEI as well as the present situation in the region. In addition to city tours There was an evaluation meeting with the participants when they returned; How was the general atmosphere at the seminar? There were some participants who were contented psychologically and happy with the team spirit that prevailed among the group; -        Psychologically it is good, just getting out of Palestine and being away from the Israeli Occupation for a while is pretty much needed. -        We didn't have any personal clashes with our group members. The team spirit prevailed However, one of the participants pointed out that the first part of the seminar was more comfortable than the second part, because all of the participants were in the same place in addition to the dorms and the food. Others were less satisfied with the organization; one related it to the following remarks; -        Not much sight seeing and excursions -        The discussion was interrupted and stopped by any excuse when it got started to be serious and hot, especially those about the conflict -        There was language problem especially with the French people -        There were no French youth participants. "It was important for us to see their points of view about the conflict and also to show us around" said one of the participants. Did you enjoy this exchange (fun)? There was entertainment most of the time, yet interfering in one's personal issues was not welcomed at all. The geographical and cultural differences of the Palestinian participants, created sensitivity among the Palestinian two groups. -        There was exhaustion yet enjoyment while traveling. -        Meditation and walking through the bushes was nice -        The duck which was called "Jessica" during Dolomieu's lunches was very interesting. How do you evaluate the participants? It was a little bit difficult to evaluate the participation of the Israelis because there wasn't deep interaction. The AEI participants didn't have real verbal hot discussions with other participating organization members, regardless of some of the personal political confrontations that happened from time to time. There was certain homogeneity among the AEI participants, the girls participation was modest but the seminar to them was a very unique and rich learning experience What have you learnt from this exchange (knowledge and skills)? Some of the participants claim that they didn't learn new things, except approaching the same knowledge from different angles and ways. Yet they don't deny the fact that they met new Israeli peace loving groups such as the Refusnic and the New Profile. They also improved their English communication skills and learnt how to handle conflicts and also how to act/ react in conflicting situations, so in general they have developed their personalities. For example, one of the participants learned how to use different terminologies and approaches depending on the people whom he talked with. They also showed their courageous stands against some Israeli participants' mentality which focused on diverting them from discussing the occupation polices to talking about cultural differences (sex, gender, women and gay rights) Do you consider such exchanges a means to communicate Palestine and a kind of non-violent resistance or a kind of normalization? Some of the participants were not satisfied with their performance. They said that they couldn't communicate Palestine properly hence couldn't leave an impact with the people they met, however, on personal level they succeeded in presenting and discussing many of the hot issues like the democratic elections of the new Palestinian government and others. Other participants were satisfied with their contribution because they witnessed for their faiths and national stands. Mr. Fuad proudly said: "I was able to communicate Palestine better than many of other Palestinian leaders. I was able to introduce the concept of Sumud (steadfastness/ resilience)". Mr. Fuad also pointed out how his wisdom of being able to manage a conflict that took place when all the participants were invited to meet with Arab-Israeli group from Haifa who highly talked about the State of Israel, when the Palestinian delegation decided to withdraw form that meeting. But Mr. Fuad decided to put off this meeting till he discussed that matter with the Palestinian group. Mr. Fuad succeeded to a certain extent to present AEI main non-violent actions especially the strategy of peace spirituality during his short presentation. What were the challenges and the hot issues that were discussed there? One of the participants had a talk with an Israeli young man, and he was asking questions from an Israeli colonial perspective. He said: "he wouldn't listen to my analyses, as if he was brainwashed". Cultural differences regarding food wasn't taken into consideration especially when the Middle Eastern people enjoy eating Recommendations and Suggestions -        studying a better criteria in choosing participants in order to achieve homogeneity among the group -        giving on-going trainings on national, inter-religious, peace and non-violence issues -        organizationally speaking, recommend to have more specific topics for discussion -        having youth participants from the hosting organization (French) -        sticking to the planned schedule -        having more time, 10 days are not enough -        organizing more excursions, trips and site-seeing -        more involvement in the French public community (public speaking) -        more trainers and more time for the presentations -        more administrative responsibilities to be given to all organizations' organizers and participants -        pay attention to the quality and quantity of the food served To sum up, this intercultural non-violent training seminar was an interesting, informative and learning experience. It was a golden opportunity for both Israeli and Palestinian groups' members to have better understanding and get to know their different points of view. It was a chance for our Palestinian youths to raise their voices in front of the Israelis and French about their sufferings from the Israeli Occupation repressive practices. This youth encounter has opened new horizons for getting to know more about the different aspects of the youth culture.