College campuses worldwide are becoming increasingly polarized. Student groups outside of the Middle East are developing views that are often more entrenched than those within the Region. Frustration at their presumed inability to effect change deters students from the paths of moderation and cooperation. Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim groups are not working together nearly enough; they are divided and increasingly ignorant of, and antagonistic to, the views of ‘the other’. This leaves campuses susceptible to extremist infiltration as groups draw battle-lines against each other and as voices of moderation are lost.
By introducing OneVoice Youth Leaders to divided campuses, we aim to bring opposing groups together and to deliver a message of unity. We will offer student groups a common cause and focus for their endeavors, which will enable them create a positive and effective joint force. Replicating our Middle East methodology, OneVoice will demonstrate to student groups that their views and goals overlap more than they realize and that a united message and efforts can help build sustainable peace.
During week-long speaking tours, Youth Leaders: address large audiences; meet with student and community leaders; and exchange best practices in combating challenges that arise from the conflict in their own communities. In the process, we bring opposing groups to the table, expose them to voices from the Middle East living with the conflict daily, and inspire coordination among the many campus and community stakeholders.
Building on the IEP’s successful track-record, OneVoice has also been working to strengthen and deepen the impact on campuses by holding follow-up Leadership Training Seminars and cultivating Sustainable Networks that will identify challenges in their own communities and design initiatives to address them. Active networks throughout North America and the UK have already coordinated a series of simultaneous “Mobilization Days” designed to raise awareness in their own communities and amply the calls for an end to conflict in Israel and Palestine.
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