Indonesia, Kenya and Timor-Leste delegates join largest number of camp delegates to date
Amman, Jordan: The fifth Generations For Peace Camp was launched in Amman today with founder HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan proclaiming that delegates can help create a legacy of peace across the world.
Founded in 2007, Generations For Peace has already held four hugely successful international camps; three in Amman, Jordan and earlier this year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, bringing together leaders of youth from divided communities and training them to use sport to unite the young.
The camp was launched by the arrival of the Generations For Peace baton which had been relayed by 40 runners more than 300kms from the Red Sea port of Aqaba and was handed to HRH Prince Feisal who welcomed the 80 delegates from 13 countries – the largest number for a camp to date.
The leaders of youth will take part in the 10-day programme and HRH Prince Feisal said: “The world is littered with conflicts – between nations, communities and factions within those communities. But Generations For Peace is successfully using sport as a vehicle for conflict resolution and reconciliation around the world.
“This has been a long year for us all. A year blighted by a global economic recession. But the trials and troubles of stock market crashes pale into insignificance compared to man’s continued inhumanity to man.
“There are currently close to 50 major conflicts around the world and hundreds of smaller one or potential ones. No one person, initiative or organisation can reduce that number by much, but together, we can begin to change attitudes, fight intolerance and bigotry, racism and hatred.
“Together we can and will make a difference.”
The delegates, who come from Afghanistan, Burundi, India, Jordan, Nepal, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka as well as first time participants Indonesia, Kenya, and Timor-Leste, will enjoy interactive classroom sessions combined with practical sports covering rules and skills in three sports: Basketball, Football and Softball. The curriculum stresses peace building; focusing on the need to build tolerance and understanding so that youth from communities in conflict can find common grounds rather than be divided by differences.
Generations For Peace has succeeded in bringing together like-minded individuals and partners who believe that commonalities outweigh differences and that planting the seeds of peace is a shared responsibility for all. The cascade programme has resulted in growing numbers of Generations For Peace programmes being instigated in the countries to where graduates have returned to after their training for the Generations For Peace Pioneer Certification Programme.
The Certification Programme is delivered during Camps by leading international peace education experts and sport coaches. The training programme is composed of an Introductory module providing orientation to the certification programme and the use of sport for peace, and four key modules which focus on the roles Peace Pioneers will undertake within their communities: Peace Building; instructing children; training of the trainers; Advocacy for Generations For Peace and Partners to the local communities.
They will learn how to teach basic sports skills and specific drills to help build an atmosphere of friendship and instil tolerance and understanding among young people from different sides of the divide.
Generations For Peace Pioneers are expected to train at least 20 trainers every year; work with at least 100-200 children annually; be an advocate for peace and to promote Generations For Peace; and to support other Peace Pioneers.
Generations For Peace enjoys incredible support, none more so than from its Founding Partner Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a renowned humanitarian from the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family.
This latest camp also marks the continuation of the initiative’s relationship with Samsung Electronics who are Official Partners while the International Softball Federation has supported Generations For Peace at each of its Camps to date as a Programme Partner. British football team Brighton & Hove Albion will be sending one of its coaches to provide assistance in the football programme while Camp 09 Official Suppliers will include Danao Juice, SAMA Mineral Water, Fly Sportswear and Mr Chips provided by M. Haddad & Sons Co.