GI youth workshop in Gaza

26.05.2010

 

On May 26, the GI held a workshop in Gaza including nearly 20 youth leaders on strengthening the language of civil peace and denouncing the culture of violence inside of society. The seminar was part of the internal peace program run in conjunction with the Swedish Olof Palme Center. Participants discussed the implications of the lacking of a culture of civil peace and a language of dialogue.

 

The participants demanded leadership to take action toward a pluralistic Palestinian society inclusive of various perspectives and mutual respect. The participants mentioned that violence and weak law enforcement strengthen old values, and harm any attempt at progress. They also said that an aggravation in the phenomenon of violence, disarray and the security anarchy threaten the coherence of society and the civil peace, and have a direct influence on stability in all levels of society: social, educational, political and economic.

 

Saleem al-Hindi from GI Palestine, spoke about the basic requirements that must be adopted in order to strengthen the culture of dialogue and civil peace emphasizing the importance of including all aspects of society acting in good faith committing to constructive dialogue and denouncing violence. He stressed that the dialogue should serve as a guarantee to the freedom of speech for everyone.