Some 70 young people from conflict-affected regions are taking part in a Youth Peace Camp event from 30 April to 7 May; they come from Kosovo*; Ukraine (especially from border regions and Luhansk and Donetsk), and from the South Caucasus. In the framework of the Cypriot Chairmanship of the Council of Europe, youth delegates from Cyprus (Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) are also attending the Camp, which is taking place at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. The young people engage in dialogue and conflict transformation activities based on human rights education and intercultural learning. This year’s camp is paying particular attention to the role of hate speech in armed conflict, with reference to the No Hate Speech Movement campaign at European and national levels.
This Council of Europe initiative aims to give the participants a positive experience of living and learning together with those from the “other side”. The programme addresses identity issues, accommodating different views and encouraging critical understanding of roles and perspectives. The camp’s objective is also to motivate and support youngsters as multipliers and peer leaders for securing peace in their communities. Replacing discrimination within national and ethnic groups with dialogue and promoting understanding is the key idea of the Peace Camp.
- Youth - Peace - Dialogue website
- Speech by Gabriela Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe
- Photo gallery
* All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
