環(huán)球英語 — 248：Seeds of Peace

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Voice 1

Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight. I’m Joshua Leo.

Voice 2

And I’m Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 3

“‘Seeds of Peace’ gave me hope that one day we will be able to live in peace - a just peace based on the elements of respect, dignity, and basic human rights and values for every Israeli and Palestinian.”

Palestine

Voice 4

“The true power of ‘Seeds of Peace’ is the power to keep friendships alive, even in times of war. This year has been difficult, but Seeds of Peace has helped me remain hopeful about peace and the future.”

Israel

Voice 1

These are the words of two young people from Palestine and Israel. They are just two of the young people involved in the organization ‘Seeds of Peace’. ‘Seeds of Peace’ believes that peace cannot grow unless someone plants a seed. This is their goal - to plant seeds of peace. They bring young people from many different places together. They train these young people to be peace leaders. And then they send the young people home. The goal is that as these young people grow, peace will grow with them.

Voice 2

‘Seeds of Peace’ started in 1993. When ‘Seeds of Peace’ first began there were only forty-six [46] young people involved. They came from Israel, Palestine and Egypt. Today, ‘Seeds of Peace’ includes three thousand five hundred [3500] young people. They come from areas like South Asia, Cyprus, the Balkans, and the United States. These are all areas where seeds of peace must be planted - they are areas of great conflict.

Voice 1

All of the ‘Seeds of Peace’ programs start in Maine, in the United States. Here, Seeds of Peace started an international camp for young people. This is a place where young people from conflicting nations can come together. They leave their homes to meet in a peaceful environment. Arab Palestinians meet Israeli Jews. Greek Cypriots meet Turkish Cypriots. Indians meet Pakistanis. And, Americans meet Iraqis. Each government chooses young people to represent their country at the camp. Their governments believe that they will be important leaders in their countries in the future.

Voice 2

These young representatives live together in small cabins. They share meals together. They learn about each other’s cultures and religions. They have group discussions. They are given particular jobs and they complete those jobs together.

Voice 1

Often, it is the first time these young people have come face to face with someone from the other side of the conflict. These young people discover that they are not so different from each other. They build relationships with each other. During their time at camp these young people learn valuable skills. They learn about working together as a team, without fighting. And they learn communication and negotiation skills. These are all important skills for working towards peace. Here is what one representative had to say about the program.

Voice 4

“‘Seeds of Peace’ is the only organization that takes people that want peace from all over the world and helps them become a major part within their community - encouraging others to believe in peace.”

Voice 2

‘Seeds of Peace’ works in many places in the world - the Middle East, the United States, the Balkans, Cyprus, Afghanistan, and South Asia. Young people from each of these areas visit the camp in Maine in the summer. But there are also programs in each area during the year.

Voice 1

In the Middle East, young people are involved in the Advanced Coexistence program. This program is for young people living in Israel, Palestine and Jordan. Some young people meet every week to talk together. Others come together on their holidays from school. They talk about the issues they face at home. They talk about ways to solve conflict. It is one of the only places where these young people, from opposite sides, can come together to talk. One member described this experience in the Middle East program.

Voice 5

“As I looked to the side for a moment, I saw two of my best friends - one Israeli and one Palestinian... At that moment I understood that I love them both the same way. No worries, no limits.”

Voice 1

The Balkans Program started in 2000. It includes young people from Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Croatia and Albania. These nations are still recovering from recent conflict. During this sad conflict community members turned against each other. These neighbours hurt each other greatly. Because of this, it is difficult for the young people to trust each other. So, Seeds of Peace brings them together. Many of the young people go to the camp in Maine. They learn that they can live together peacefully. When they return home they are able to continue their new friendships. They can talk on the phone and through the Internet. And they can write their thoughts in the “Olive Branch.” This is a small newspaper. Young people from ‘Seeds of Peace’ started it together. One member said this about the Balkans Program.

Voice 6

“We are neighbors and have common interests. We should help each other and go forward because that is what neighbors do.”

Voice 2

The newest Seeds of Peace program is in South Asia. It started in 2001. It is for Indian and Pakistani young people. Seeds of Peace describes the meeting between Indians and Pakistanis in this way. “Over the course of the program, insults, tears and anger are gradually replaced by words of care, understanding and honest attempts at coming together.”

Voice 1

Some people believe that they can achieve peace through war and conflict. But it is clear in the many conflicts in the world that this does not usually work. Unless, that is, a person is using the right tools. Seeds of Peace is giving their young members the tools of communication, negotiation, and friendship. They hope that these tools will defeat war and conflict. As one member from the United States said:

Voice 3

“If you want peace, you have to go to war. But to go to war, you do not need weapons. You need yourself, your voice, your words. And that’s how ‘Seeds of Peace’ is fighting.”