CoE gathers teens from conflict zones to talk peace and have fun

STRASBOURG, June 15 – The Council of Europe said Friday that 32 young Serbians and Albanians from Kosova and Arabs and Jews from Israel would join a peace camp in one of the world’s leading theme parks, Europa-Park in Rust, Germany on 1-7 July to learn skills of non-violent communication and confidence-building.
The program at Europa-Park aims to teach its young participants the art of intercultural communication.
Campaign manager Michael Raphael said, “Respect for diversity and human rights and participation of youth in policy-making are the main aims of our campaign and the core values of the Council of Europe. This program gives our participants a chance to tell their stories in a safe environment and to form friendships that may last for years. The fun and games at Europa-Park help them build the foundation of trust with one another and, in some way, to overcome the trauma of war.”
From Mitrovica and Pristina to Haifa and Jerusalem, the participants’ home towns have seen the devastation and destruction of war. The program will equip the sixteen boys and sixteen girls, aged 17-20, with skills to explore the narratives of their past and to understand the concepts of stereotypes and prejudice.