The Jordan-based Quested Peace CC joined 13 other nonprofit organizations in 13 nations – including France’s Les Sureaux, Lebanon’s Aie Serve and the Ta’awon For Conflict Resolution Institute in Palestine – for a June gathering in Biarritz, in the Basque country of France.
Their goal was – and is -- to build an international network of non-profit organizations that can develop youth participation in society-building by using sports and traditional games.
Using both Basque sports and games associated with the participants’ native cultures, the event’s organizers demonstrated ways in which those activities can encourage social inclusion. They also addressed the challenges of taking part in a multicultural event; how to identify – and complement – the skills of an international partner; how to share authority and responsibility and how to ensure that the event benefits all parties.
Members of the groups involved (including Quested Peace's Ma'moun Khreisat, above) hope their newly-formed network will promote the values of service, volunteerism, equality, human rights, inclusion, solidarity, sharing, active cooperation and participation, intercultural understanding, a physically active lifestyle and diversity.
