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AEI-Open Windows Visitors
Netherlands Youth Group Visit
On Monday, 3rd
July 2006, a youth group from the Netherlands
came to meet with the AEI-Open Windows
University and New Graduates and Young Employees
youth groups. The gathering included around 50
members.
This encounter
was characterized by being less formal and more
flexible. So the youths felt ot ease to express
themselves. The program started with an
ice-breaking game called "fruit-salad", and then
Dr. Toine introduced the AEI briefly.
The theme of
the meeting was about youth life in Palestine
and in Holland. Mr. Anton Murra – AEI Assistant
Director and Youth Coordinator- opened the
discussion by giving a briefing of the youth
life in Palestine from several aspects;
education, social, political, medical, etc. The
Dutch youths were very interested in knowing
about the above mentioned axes but more about
the political aspect especially Hamas which was
democratically elected as the new Palestinian
Government, Israeli/ Palestinian conflict,
terrorism and suicide attacks. It was really
very interesting seeing the youths discussing
such hot issues in a very respectful way.
The second part
of the time, was dedicated to learn about youth
life in Holland. The Palestinian youth found it
completely strange learning about youths
concerns; rights, freedoms, faiths and
individualism. This was the first time for our
Palestinian youths been exposed to such youth
concerns. The most important things is that at
the beginning the youths couldn't absorb the
difference in the youth lives and concerns in
different cultures and countries but later
through the side conversations they were able to
respect such differences.
Finally, all
were invited to a delicious barbecue and ended
the encounter with a group picture. |
