Offering an Olive Branch
an article by Adam K. Kaloides

The grim situation in the Middle East calls for action by all people who are concerned about human rights and the needless loss of lives.

The Student Ambassadors for Human Rights under the aegis of the UNESCO Chair in Comparative Human Rights at the University of Connecticut have decided to make a modest contribution to peace efforts in the region. Our plan is to foster a productive discourse between Israelis and Palestinians. In an effort to demonstrate our practical concerns and reach out to display our common humanity, we wish to invite two Israeli students and two Palestinian students to the University of Connecticut where they can interact free from the stifling political atmosphere at home.

The students will preferably be of university age and have a sufficient proficiency of the English language as to receive the most out of this experience. The students will spend a two-week period, the duration of which will be spent interacting with each other and the surrounding residents.

In the University of Connecticut’s community we can work together with the Israeli and Palestinian student leaders to create a symbol of peace and understanding that will counter the harsh images of hostility.

As Student Ambassadors for Human Rights we understand that it is impossible to change the world over night. But, with our many politically free initiatives we have had the opportunity to engage on a strictly human dimension. We have already received remarkably positive results from our efforts to improve the learning conditions for the Dalits (untouchables) in India. Furthermore, the in-depth interaction Student Ambassadors for Human Rights have had with other students of all ages has created a profound awareness of human rights. Our taking an active role in the prevention of child soldiers as well as the healing for victims of such a heartless corruption shows strong promise in the awareness that can be raised to end this tragedy. We have helped raise a more positive consciousness not just in our own community, but also in society as a whole and this is just the beginning

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Relations formed in the darkest times
will they provide a basis for reconciliation?

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MIDEAST PEACE

LATEST READER COMMENT:

The tragic crisis in the Middle East continues to exact heavy human tolls. In the past 4 years, over 1000 Israelis have been killed by suicide bombings. Two thirds of the Israelis killed have been civilians. Over 3,000 Palestinian lives have been lost at the hands of the Israeli Military. The ratio is about 3 Palestinians for every Israeli. These killings are senseless because they do not address the human costs for the future generation of Israelis and Palestinians who must live together for the next millennium, unless total catastrophe befalls either of the warring parties.
Moreover, the casualty figures do not tell the whole truth about the scene of this human tragedy, as they do not include the terrible cost to the communities.. . ...more.

This report was posted on December 4, 2004. The moderator is Anna.

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