outward bound peacebuilding...in this issue: 1 winter/spring interns thank you to our fabulous...
TRANSCRIPT
SPRING NEWSLETTER SPRING 2013
OUTWARDBOUND
PEACEBUILDING
WINTER/SPRING INTERNS 1
OPENING LETTER FROM ANA 1
PROGRAM UPDATES 2
ANA IN MYANMAR 2
2ND ANNUAL BENEFIT COCKTAIL PARTY 3
JUNIOR BOARD KICK‐OFF EVENT 3
RAISE YOUR HAND CAMPAIGN 4
UPCOMING EVENTS 4
2012 CONNECTING THE HUB 4
IN THIS ISSUE:
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WINTER/SPRING INTERNS
Thank you to our fabulous interns– Isabel Ferro, Lili
Nikolova, Ghita Hassoun, and Ayla Zamangil!
OPENING LETTER FROM ANA
Ana Patel, Executive Director
As I write this welcome paragraph to Outward Bound
Peacebuilding’s Spring 2013 newsletter, Nettie Pardue, the
Director of Programs, is hiking in the Monongahela Na‐
tional Forest in West Virginia with a small group of wom‐
en from Syria, the United States and Thailand. None of
these women have ever hiked for more than a mile or two,
much less the day long treks they have ahead of them. As
they chose what to stuff in their backpacks (the duffle
shuffle!), the group was engaged in a conversation about
whether cotton or synthetic fabric headscarves were better
for hiking, and the Americans were trying on the head‐
scarves so they could join the discussion (final answer:
synthetic because it dries more quickly). And so it starts.
The expedition is a pilot program with the Summer Peace‐
building Institute in partnership with Outward Bound
Baltimore.
Nettie only just returned a week ago from a 10‐day expedi‐
tion in Croatia with 12 Palestinian and Israeli women
where it rained the entire time and, said Nettie, she wit‐
nessed great transformation of individuals and the group.
Upon her return from Virginia, Nettie leaves two weeks
later for Costa Rica, to lead the 2nd Practicum in Experien‐
tial Peacebuilding (PEP) in Costa Rica – a group that will
include peacebuilding leaders from Bangladesh, Brazil,
Ethiopia, Rwanda, Myanmar and the United States.
I dedicate this newsletter to Nettie Pardue, Director of Pro‐
grams for Outward Bound Peacebuilding. Nettie is the
heart of this organization. Her commitment, energy and
curiosity sustain us. Her tenacity and compassion guide
us. She is, in every way, the kind of leader that Kurt Hahn,
the founder of Outward Bound, visualized for the organi‐
zation. Thank you Nettie.
PROGRAM UPDATES
Three programs, three countries!
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In May of 2013, 12 carefully selected women from Israel and the
West Bank stepped onto the trail for an extraordinary 10‐day
expedition in Croatia. A joint effort between the Outward
Bound Center for Peacebuilding (OB Peacebuilding) and Search
for Common Ground (SFCG), the Emerging Leaders Program
focuses on empowering next generation leaders from all aspects
and sectors of Israeli and Palestinian life. The 2013 program fo‐
cuses on women leaders and enables participants to develop
social tools, realize their own potential and increase understand‐
ing across cultural boundaries. This program this year is imple‐
mented in partnership with Outward Bound Croatia.
Over the course of the expedition, participants faced many chal‐
lenges, from language barriers and cultural differences, to the
harsh climate and unrelenting rain. The morning of day four
brought heavy rain and a cold wet feeling permeating the
group. Despite being chilled and damp, the morale was high,
and the group came together around some fun warm‐up activi‐
ties that spawned a spontaneous and wild drum and dance ses‐
sion in the mud and rain!
The all‐women’s group and facilitation team allowed for a
unique bonding experience and also demonstrated the strength
and capability of women. The participants are earnestly looking
forward to the next component of their program, which will see
them gathering in Turkey for a four‐day retreat to share
thoughts about their expedition, their return home and their
future as leaders together.
This spring, OB Peacebuilding will also conduct two programs
aimed at practitioners and graduate students in the fields of
conflict resolution and peacebuilding. At the end of May, OB
Peacebuilding launched its first joint program, Developing
Peace Leadership in the Wilderness, for young leaders from
around the world with the Summer Peacebuilding Institute.
ANA IN MYANMAR
New possibilities for OB Peacebuilding!
Executive Director Ana Patel joined a Columbia University
peacebuilding delegation to Myanmar and Chiang Mai, Thai‐
land in February 2013. Ana met with political and civil society
leaders in the capitol city of Yangon, as well as representatives
of the opposition armed groups and ethnic territories in north‐
ern Thailand. Myanmar is undergoing an extraordinary transi‐
tion to a more open political system and economy after over
50 years of military authoritarian rule. The pace of reform is
dizzying, as is the accelerated timeline for a peace process,
including political dialogue between the central government
and 11 armed groups.
While in Yangon, Ana facilitated a workshop for young lead‐
ers to introduce Outward Bound and discuss the possibilities
of an Outward Bound Peacebuilding program for young lead‐
ers. The response was enthusiastic. Young people are interest‐
ed in leadership development opportunities, and are eager to
contribute to the peacebuilding process in their country. Given
the strength of the many Outward Bound Centers in South
Asia, including India, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka,
there are tremendous opportunities for collaboration within
the Outward Bound community. OB Peacebuilding is now
working on a context assessment of Myanmar and a concept
paper for a pilot program with young leaders from Myanmar.
During seven days of hiking and camping in Monongahela
National Forest in West Virginia, participants will utilize an
experiential approach to develop compassionate leadership in
an intimate interaction with the natural environment and their
fellow course participants.
In June, OB Peacebuilding will host its 2nd Practicum on Expe‐
riential Peacebuilding in partnership with the University of
Peace in Costa Rica and Costa Rica Outward Bound. During the
course of the 10‐day expedition, participants will backpack in
the Piedras Blancas region, engage in a homestay with a local
Costa Rican family and conclude with a day at the UN mandat‐
ed University for Peace.
2nd ANNUAL BENEFIT COCKTAIL PARTY
Celebrating five years of programming
Over 80 members of the OB Peacebuilding community and
honored guests, Liat Hadad and Alaa Hamdan, gathered at
The New York Times Building for OB Peacebuildingʹs 2nd An‐
nual Benefit Cocktail Party. Executive Director Ana Patel and
Founder Elizabeth Anglin Knox both delivered remarks about
OB Peacebuildingʹs programs and methodology. The evening
was filled with lively conversation and delicious food and
drink.
Liat and Alaa, two alumni of the Palestinian‐Israeli Leaders
Program, spoke about their background and experiences on
the program. Alaa told the audience:
...in the Emerging Leaders Program, we met for the first time met in
the wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, away from cities and with
no access to digital communication with the outside world... This was
a real ʺSurvivorʺ but with all winners and not just one. It was a
powerful and uneasy experience where the interest and survival of
the group becomes main priority and you build trust with others
regardless of their background. This situation allowed us to
ʺundressʺ from our national/ ethnic identities and, then, dressed us
with the new identity of our joint group.
A big thanks to all those supported the 2nd Annual Benefit
Party Party and to the efforts and hard work of the Host Com‐
mittee, including Frances Ashley, Daniel Herz, Elizabeth An‐
glin Knox, Jay Kranis, Chien Lee, Vivian Lee, Luke OʹNeill,
Julia Pershan and Pamela Takiff. OB Peacebuilding raised
enough money to support 4 women on the year‐long Palestini‐
an‐Israeli Emerging Leaders Program this year!
JUNIOR BOARD KICK-OFF EVENT
Film screening of 5 Broken Cameras
On Monday, March 4, the Junior Board of OB Peacebuilding
held its kick‐off event in New York City. Over 40 students and
professionals gathered in the basement of Loreley Restaurant &
Biergarten to view a screening and partake in a discussion of the
Oscar‐nominated 5 Broken Cameras, a 2011 documentary co‐
directed by Palestinian Emad Burnat and Israeli Guy Davidi.
The film was followed by a lively discussion moderated by Jun‐
ior Board member Heidi Rosbe, who posed thought‐provoking
questions to the audience. Conversation topics included the
implications of conflict on a community (particularly on youth),
the role of nonviolence, and the importance of the many grass‐
roots projects currently being conducted on the ground.
In total, the event raised $650, which will cover seven sets of
rain gear, airfare, or a partial scholarship for a PEP applicant.
Thank you to all those who came to the event and we hope to
see you in the future!
Photo from the Women Leaders Expedition.
Velebit Mountains, 2013.
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“We are a group of committed key individuals with common
universal values from different backgrounds and sectors who
serve as a bridge to share their experiences and information and
interested to contribute in making true change.”
‐ Palestinian‐Israeli Emerging Leaders Program alum
In October of 2012, 18 alumni from the Palestinian‐Israeli
Emerging Leaders Program gathered in the mountains Croatia
for the 4th annual Connecting the Hub. During the five‐day
retreat, alums worked together to come up with new and crea‐
tive ways to keep the network going. Over the next year, the
group plans to hold six meetings and gatherings in the region.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY
5/3 ‐12: Palestinian‐Israeli Womenʹs Expedition in Croatia
5/4: Alums Liat Hadad and Aladin Hamdan speak at Romemu
Synagogue
5/6: Board Meeting in NYC, Cocktail Benefit Party at The New
York Times Building
5/9: Liat and Aladin speak at the Masjid al‐Farah Mosque
5/10: Liat and Aladin speak at Temple Sharey Tefilo Israel
5/27 ‐ 6/4: Summer Peacebuilding Institute Expedition in West
Virginia
JUNE
5/27 ‐ 6/4: Summer Peacebuilding Institute Expedition in West
Virginia
6/14 ‐ 23: Practicum on Experiential Peacebuilding Expedition
in Costa Rica
JULY
7/4 ‐ 7: Palestinian‐Israeli Womenʹs 1st Retreat
2012 Connecting the Hub
With Outward Bound Croatia
Raise Your Hand Campaign
$20K Match Campaign
During OB Peacebuilding programs, we count on others in
the group to give us a hand – we start each morning with a
morning circle holding hands to feel the strength of the group
as we begin another day. We help each other up steep slopes,
across streams and gullies, and we hold each otherʹs ropes for
rock climbing. The Raise Your Hand campaign celebrates OB
Peacebuilding’s work with small groups of people that work
together to build momentum for big change. Launched in
October 2012, the Raise Your Hand Campaign was a three
month fundraising initiative with a target goal of $20K,
which, if successfully raised, was matched by generous con‐
tributors. The initiative encouraged people from different
parts of the world who believe in the mission and approach of
OB Peacebuilding to support the organization by taking a
raised hand picture and contributing to the cause. Thanks to
the generous efforts of our community, OB Peacebuilding
made the $20K match!
Group photo from the Summer Peacebuilding
Institute Expedition in West Virginia.
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Outward Bound Peacebuilding 29-46 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY, 11101
www.outwardboundpeace.org | [email protected]
SUPPORT OUTWARD BOUND PEACEBUILDING! Please consider an investment in peacebuilding leadership around the world.
Visit bit.ly/support_obcp to make an online donation.
You can also make a check payable to “Outward Bound Peacebuilding”.
29-46 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101
Photos from our 2nd Annual Benefit Cocktail Party
Aladin Hamdan, alum of the 2009 Palestinian – Israeli
Young Social Entrepreneurs cadre.
Liat Hadad, alum of the 2011 Palestinian – Israeli Emerging
Business Leaders cadre.
A big thank you to all our volunteers! Executive Director Ana Patel delivering welcome remarks.