Humanitarian Aid NOW and Recreating Gaza in the FUTURE

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by luisella valeri on January 11, 2009 at 12:34pm

Thanks Myron, I agree
Just only thinking how to relancing LIFE, we can work in peace!
I always look for the children, our possible future in peace, if we care.
Smiles Luisella

FABRIZIO DE ANDRE'- Se Ti Tagliassero a Pezzetti

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Permalink Reply by myron joshua on January 11, 2009 at 12:51pm

Ciao Luisella,

Children are the future.

Education is a key issue as well. Education that stresses the humanity of all of us.

It is a big challenge that must be on everyone's agendal

This is one area where dialogue and personal contact have real effect. I see it all the time in our area where Palestinians and Israelis do have such contact. But it takes an effort. It doesn't happen by itself..and it doesn't happen enough.

It means new school programs and use of informal education in community centers, internet sites (IPEACE for youth..how about it??)

Permalink Reply by luisella valeri on January 12, 2009 at 2:16am

Dear Myron,
i.Peace for youth, fantastic idea!
But everyone have to work for children, in every land.
Really necessary to have Israeli and Palestin children toghether to do something they like, toghether. The great conductor Daniel Barenboim works wonderful with his orchestra half Palestinian and half Israeli young people. It's necessary to intensify those projects!

And we all (...? Luisella and...), have to do some little project...a "Majed" project...with him! So, he has in mind ideas and what he is living now, begin possible!
Smiles Luisella

Permalink Reply by Clicia Pavan on January 12, 2009 at 4:17am

You're right
( If people want peace must be constructed on the ground and not just on paper)

Permalink Reply by Roberto Gamaliel Saldivar Silva on January 12, 2009 at 4:48am

THEY SAY THAT THE OCEAN IS FULL BUT YOUR DROP IS NEEDED TO FILL IT UP. TOMMY.

Permalink Reply by M. Renee Orth on January 12, 2009 at 9:58am

Myron, I completely agree with you. The following are some preliminary ideas I put on paper in advance of a call I have next week concerning the funding of a Palestinian humanitarian foundation. I would love your, and other's, input, especially from Palestinians. I envision the outside world providing the support structure and the Palestinian people filling it with what they want to create:

Our ultimate goal is to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine, and thus provide an example of how to create peace throughout the world. The antidote to violence is hope and opportunity. Accordingly, we will provide Palestinians, with emphasis on the 50% of Palestinians under 18 years old, with the resources, including training, leadership skills, and materials, they need in order to create the nation of their dreams.

There will likely be a power vacuum in the wake of the Israeli offensive, thus one of our first objectives should be to identify potential Palestinian leaders who espouse non-violent change. Ideally this group will ultimately be led by an MLK/Ghandi/Mandela type who can energize young Palestinians, while still commanding respect of others (both older Palestinians and the rest of the world). Perhaps a group of leaders from other non-violent movements, such as South Africans, and/or veterans of the Civil Rights Movement, could train and mentor the Palestinian leaders.

Second, we will create a Palestinian Peace Corp. that will take a holistic approach to empowering Palestinians to build their nation:

• Create (perhaps using an existing platform) a network that will enable Palestinians to communicate their needs, visions, and ideas with the organization. A system that enables others to score ideas – an organic, dynamic, non-hierarchical democratic system – will ensure we are not enforcing our Western vision on Palestinians (other than the value of democracy, that is). This effort will require early outreach to bring communication technology to the Palestinian people.

• Recruit skilled architects, engineers, and construction experts from all over the world – especially from developing nations – to help and train the Palestinian people to build their infrastructure using sustainable techniques, thus providing at once both the material foundation of a new nation and on-the-job training for skilled workers. Palestinians in other Arab nations should be a target of our recruiting efforts.

• Overwhelm Palestine with a veritable army of educators to assist Palestinians in building an educational system that will prepare them and their children for the 21st century. An intensive program, which leverages technology to reduce cost and increase effectiveness, aimed at training Palestinians to be educators should be a priority.

• A force of healers will mend the wounds, both physical and emotional, of the Palestinian people. In addition to doctors practicing Western medicine, spiritual healers from various backgrounds – Buddhism and Sufism in particular – should be encouraged to share their wisdom.

• In addition, efforts must be made to heal the rift between the Israelis and Palestinians. A system of truth and reconciliation will be necessary, but its creation will likely best be left to a quasi-governmental authority. In addition, outreach programs that expose both sides of the conflict to the “story” of the other side may be effective in countering the propaganda that has cemented the perspectives on both sides. True peace, as opposed to a lack of violence, will depend on individuals letting go of anger and hatred and embracing forgiveness and understanding.

Finally, in order to be effective in creating a better future for Palestinians (and thus Israelis too) we must not engage in debates concerning the past, including the very recent past. We all have opinions concerning the rights and wrongs of this conflict – these opinions will never be reconciled. What is required to create a future that does not resemble the past is to let go of being right, to let go of being a victim, to let go of the desire for vengeance, and instead to look ahead.

Once we settle on our goals, we should identify and reach out to organizations that may already be carrying out similar programs to evaluate potential joint venture opportunities.

Permalink Reply by myron joshua on January 12, 2009 at 11:30am

Your large vision is wonderful.
I think that Gaza needs special assistence. Socially, economically, urban needs are on such a different scale than the West Bank. Somehow the uniqueness of Gaza and its relationship to the West Bank are an issue.

Permalink Reply by Majed Abusalama on January 12, 2009 at 2:49pm

this is good ideas to work with it , and when you can work with the children untill we can give this the term of peace with connections alot of activites ,and from my experences as trainer for the children untill 18 , i can tell you can you succeed if you can Use another activites with another vision.

if we work with the children, we can dream in the future, i want the future as palestinian Youth , i hope if we can work with the socaity to teach them another terms . i am ready to help my friend like we spoke together.




thanks.
still like we hope
majed abusalama
Gaza