Amman, Jordan, 2 June 2010: As Generations For Peace sets new landmarks at its sixth international camp, one country’s delegates have underlined the impact that the HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein-led initiative is making across the world.
With European delegates making their first appearance at the 10-day camp among the eight new countries and territories from three continents taking part for the first time, Nigeria has demonstrated the difference that Generations For Peace can make within troubled communities.
Mavis Orjimi may be attending her first international camp, but she began her Generations For Peace journey long before arriving in Amman, Jordan, with the 76 other delegates from 17 countries and territories.
Along with fellow camp attendee Tunde Ayo, Mavis has already been trained in her home country of Nigeria by Safiya Ibn Garba, who is a certified Generations For Peace Pioneer that graduated through the Amman Camp 2008.
The determined 26 year-old is a success story from the cascade programme that is a core element for Generations For Peace, which teaches leaders of youth on how sport can make a difference in regions that have been divided by war and conflict.
“In Nigeria we have 286 ethnic groups and the conflicts differ from region to region but they have the same outcome: death and the destruction of lives and property,” said Mavis. “When I met Safiya and learned about the ideals of Generations For Peace I was immediately convinced that this is an organisation that can really make a difference. I was trained by her and now I am looking forward to launching my own programme to target other leaders of youth, religious leaders and teachers on how sport can help to reach across the barriers of divide.”
Safiya has returned to Jordan for her third camp to help mentor the delegates and to share her experiences. She has become a key figure for Generations For Peace which has opened a satellite office in Nigeria to support the dozens of projects being implemented across the country.
“Mavis and Tunde are working in difficult locations but have proven themselves to be excellent leaders of youth and ideal candidates to become Generations For Peace Pioneers,” said Safiya. “The organisation is growing by the day in Nigeria and by training more leaders of youth we will see more Generations For Peace activities and projects enjoyed by thousands of young people from both the north and the south of the country.”
Created by HRH Prince Feisal in 2007, the International Olympic Committee member and President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, Generations For Peace will put the delegates through a demanding 10-day curriculum combining interactive classroom discussion with practical coaching sessions demonstrating how sport can encourage sustainable co-operation and tolerance.