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 Israel-Palestine remains one of the most explosive trouble spots in the last half century, with conflict affecting international relations around the world. The Youth Federation for World Peace in Partnership with the Universal Peace Federation has initiated a series of interreligious encounters, fact-finding trips, cultural initiatives, athletic programs, and service projects as part of its Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI). Bringing young leaders from the world's faith traditions, young business leaders and parliamentarians, and leaders from civil society, MEPI participants meet with Palestinian and Israeli leaders, as well as citizens from all walks of life in an effort to transcend polarizing stereotype that perpetuate division.
Like past popular movements for peace and social justice, the international, interreligious delegations work to build coalitions that can build a critical mass to change both public opinion and move institutions of authority. Each side in the conflict has its own narrative and history. The first objective, accordingly, is to enable both to listen to and understand the experience of the other.  Importantly, the Middle East Peace Initiative draws on the history and spiritual authority of the great Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Far from being obstacles to peace, these traditions, with ancient roots in the Holy Land, provide the essential values and spiritual resources to facilitate peace.
One important outcome is to build a model of unity and mutual respect among the religiously diverse participants. Thus, Jews, Christians, and Muslims travel together to each others' holy sites and gain a first-hand understanding of the history and traditions of those who share the land. For many participants, this is the first substantial encounter with the people and traditions of the other faiths in a religious context and not only provides a new perspective of one's own faith but deepens an understanding of the beliefs, traditions, and essential values of those of other faiths. A joint initiative of the Youth Federation
for World Peace and Martin Luther King III's
Realizing the Dream has opened the peace process in Israel to a largely overlooked stakeholder: its youth. MORE |
YFWP's emphasis on young leadership is particularly meaningful. Young people have inherited the divisions and largely been excluded from the peace process. YFWP specifically engages young leaders and provides service training and education in principles of nonviolence and conflict resolution rooted in the timeless ethical values of the world's religions. Developing bonds of friendship across racial and religious divides and devising broader perspectives that reconcile divisions can be critical to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. MEPI Alumni Facebook Page (pictures, testimonials, video, blogs)
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