Retrieved from St. FX Media Room, August 26, 2007.

Palestinian and Israeli Youth to participate in Peace Camp Nova Scotia at Coady Institute, St. FX

- A new partnership between Peace Camp Canada, the Government of Canada, the Coady International Institute and St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) will build on previous successes in an effort to launch a "next generation" peace camp -

Antigonish, NS - Peace Camp Canada (PCC) is forming a new partnership with the Coady International Institute, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and StFX to launch Peace Camp Nova Scotia, bringing its successful peace camp model to a higher playing field. Peace Camp Nova Scotia will focus on helping 20 Palestinian and Israeli youth break down negative stereotypes and, together, build understanding, trust and mutual respect.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with DFAIT, the Coady Institute and StFX in developing our peace camp model and extending our work to Nova Scotia," said Elan Divon, Executive Director of Peace Camp Nova Scotia. "The effects of this kind of peace work are simply impossible to quantify and we are looking forward to working with our new partners to do even more."

According to Mr. Divon, Peace Camp Nova Scotia is drawing its campers from some of the worst hit areas of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. For example, the Israeli delegation will be arriving from the town of Sderot-a town near the Gaza strip which has been hit very hard in recent years due to constant rocket attacks and artillery fire. The Palestinian delegation is arriving from the West Bank-specifically Jenin, Ramallah and Beit Jallah, all hard hit areas as well. Most are traveling abroad for the very first time, and all have never met individuals from the 'other side.'

"The Canadian government is a committed advocate for building peace in the Middle East," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "Bringing Palestinian and Israeli youth together in Canada to get to know one another and to exchange perspectives will promote greater understanding between these future leaders."

Coady Director and StFX Vice-President Mary Coyle said the camp is a natural fit with the Coady Institute.

"Peace Camp Nova Scotia embodies the Coady Institute's work in several areas, including peace building and conflict transformation and the engagement of young people," she said. "We are honoured to play a role in any process that will help people in the Middle East build a peaceful future."

Dr. Sean Riley, President of StFX, welcomed the campers and encouraged them to make the most of their experience.

"I hope they will be able to tap into the Xaverian experience of fellowship and generosity that has created lifelong relationships and positive memories for generations of young people," he said.

Peace Camp Nova Scotia is a youth for youth initiative that prides itself on the quality and scope of its facilitation, on its balanced leadership and governance structures, and on the Canadian moral and civic values it seeks to instill in its campers. By combining intensive dialogue, the creative arts (drama), and leadership building, the peace camp experience is able to cultivate trust while engendering authentic transformations on the part of its Israeli and Palestinian youth participants.