The choice of participants is made in both communities with people from very diverse backgrounds, to bring together people who are open, curious about the experience and about each other. Whenever possible groups are made up of an equal number of participants from both communities.
Professional Israeli-Palestinian mediators facilitate meetings and help participants to get to know each other better: culture, traditions, religion, roles of women and men, individual and collective histories… in an attempt to overcome fears and break stereotypes. This identity approach of the other is done through discussions whose themes are suggested by the members of the group, through role plays, workshops and weekends in the desert. The outline of the work is based on the dynamic and development of the group and incorporates current events. Thus, during the Gaza war at the end of 2008, meetings focused on the human values of each and the violent and cruel repercussions of the conflict in which each was involved, at least morally.
The stay in Switzerland goes far beyond reward and entertainment, as the work started in Israel continues during the ten days of the trip with daily encounters; these are ten continuous and dense days of coexistence during which they are welcomed in pairs by family and share the same room. They also spend three days in total immersion in a mountain chalet. Freed from the stressful context of conflict, faced with a foreign environment and in a situation of intense, long and positive coexistence, the group's dynamics are transformed and solidarity emerges.
After this fruitful stay which opened up new perspectives for them, the meetings of the groups are continuing in Israel and Palestine. Some have testified publicly about their experience and continue to commit to dialogue and mutual recognition.
To find out more about all the projects already completed and to come, please refer to the ACHIEVEMENTS tab
