Generations For Peace delegates learn new coaching techniques from professionals
Amman, Jordan: As football kicked off the sports-specific modules at the fifth Generations For Peace Camp underway in Amman, Jordan, the 80 delegates from 13 countries have been sharing their harrowing experiences of conflicts that have underlined the importance of the global initiative.
Stuart Christie, Health Development Manager at British Football Club Brighton & Hove Albion SC, has been putting the leaders of youth through their paces over the last two days, with his practical coaching sessions interspersed with classroom lectures delivered by communications specialists on how sport can be a key element in conflict resolution.
“I have been humbled by the stories that some of these delegates have shared with me,” said Christie. “But despite their experiences, the one thing that is consistent is the desire to bring peace to their neighbourhoods. Some of the delegates have never even participated in sport, let alone organised sporting sessions for kids, but I am confident that they will leave here enriched with new skills to implement within their own communities back home and have learned that football can help to tackle divides.”
The delegates attending the 10-day camp, which runs until December 16, hail from Afghanistan, Burundi, India, Jordan, Nepal, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka as well as first time participants Indonesia, Kenya, and Timor-Leste. Football will be followed by basketball and softball for the sports-specific modules while the enlightening classroom sessions are led by international peace education and communication trainers.
Generations For Peace is the brainchild of HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein who has attended the sessions to listen to the delegates’ experiences first hand. Since its launch in 2007, the initiative has welcomed 31 countries from three continents and is set to become even more global in 2010 with three further camps planned and more countries to send delegates.
To date, up to 40,000 children have enjoyed Generations For Peace initiatives created by delegates who have returned home to teach more leaders of youth on how to use sport to bridge divides within their communities.
Generations For Peace has already held four hugely successful international camps since its 2007 inception; three in Amman, Jordan and earlier this year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, held under the patronage of Founding Partner HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
This latest camp also marks the continuation of the initiative’s relationship with Samsung Electronics as the Official Partner 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.