Peace Building Summer Camp organized by World Vision in partnership with a local NGO Sukhumi Youth House brought
together 35 young people from all districts in Abkhazia and from four ethnic groups to discuss different topics related to their communities' civic lives.
This generation of youth has grown
up in 15 years of tension since the 1992-1993 armed conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia. The youth in Abkhazia have been raised in a place where the unresolved conflict is still the central topic of
their everyday lives, and an uncertain future looms over their personal hopes and dreams.
The ethnic Georgian population that fled during the conflict has been slowly returning to the
eastern parts of Abkhazia, but lives in isolation from the Abhkaz population. Physical separation between two ethnic groups coupled with a low standard of living results in increased mistrust,
negative stereotypes and perceptions between them.
World Vision Georgia looks at the post-conflict generation as the critical force of change towards positive relationships between the
ethnic groups. This is the generation that is open to change their perceptions and stereotypes and will subsequently have positive impact on their peers.
By promoting values of
dialogue, tolerance and nonviolent conflict resolution, the camp has had a significant impact on creating long-lasting bonds between youth in Abkhazia that will overcome their prejudices and
stereotypes and become a foundation of peace in Abkhazia.
Bonds that were created during ten days of joint life in a tent camp were especially evident on the last day of their joint
adventure when tears, hugs and kisses between camp participants meant that new friendships will last beyond the life of the camp.
During the 10 days, children were taught debating skills
by an experienced instructor from Sukhumi Youth House, World Vision's local partner. Seventeen-year-old Rustam Anshba from Gudauta enjoyed the debates because he feels it is important to listen to the
arguments of others as well as to express your own.
When asked what the best thing about the camp is, all 35 children responded with one voice: 'New friendships!' They enjoyed lessons,
games, hiking trips to peaks of mountains as well as cozy evenings around the campfire, but new friends are what they value the most. Physical distance and fear of traveling to 'the other side' will
be the main challenge for new friends.
The majority of Gali children has never traveled to western parts of the region and was concerned about their trip to the camp. Dzina from Gali said
that upon arrival to the camp it was difficult to establish contact with Abkhaz children simply because they have never had any communication with them before. However, they quickly realized that
Abkhaz were warm and friendly people and communication barriers soon dissolved.
'We became stronger, more tolerant after the camp', proudly stated Tamara Durova, from Gudauta, at the final
camp debriefing day organized on August 24th in Sukhumi Youth House.
Sixteen-year-old Nizfa Nanba, from Gudauta, was excited when talking about the significance of peace building summer
camps. She attended a summer camp with Georgian children in Turkey last year and feels that the camps are important for her as well as for other youth of Abkhazia, because 'having made new Georgian
friends, they can no longer be my enemies.'
Many children expressed desire to become active members of their communities when they return to their homes and use the skills and
knowledge gained during the camp. Some of them have already participated in a number of charitable activities organized by Sukhumi youth club 'Duna'.
The Summer Camp was sponsored by the
Canadian charitable organization Eagle Down Foundation and World Vision Switzerland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
