Reflecting back on my experience at the 2004 summer school I come today to the realization that it was definitely a life changing one.  The course has taught me a lot. I took part in the first program in the summer of 2004. Back then I realized immediately the importance of the program, the depth of the knowledge provided to us by the trainers and different speaker but most importantly, I was amazed by the high level of maturity of the participants.

 

 

 

Up till today I have been using a lot of what I have learned during the program in 2004 in terms of knowledge and skills, but mainly, in terms of attitudes. The program introduced me to many people in the field with whom I have become good friends and colleagues. The program’s alumni have been in general quite successful in their studies and early careers in the field of peacebuilding and today they form a network that has a lot of potential. Finally, the course introduced me to amazing young people with wonderful leadership attributes who have inspired me with their zeal and determination to change the world.

 

 

Lebanon is still witnessing many conflicts that can at any point manifest themselves through violence. Consequently, the country needs as many “conflict literate” people as possible, with skills such as conflict analysis and conflict transcendence through creative, constructive and nonviolent conflict approaches. Today we are observing more and more rift among our youth along the fault lines of the polarizing political discourses. We are in desperate need of as many peacebuilding programs and initiatives as possible to prevent the recurrence of violent clashes and to build a generation of young Lebanese capable of playing the role of bridge builders and to bring a harmonizing discourse and unifying practices.

 

 

The course provided me with a solid foundation and good basic understanding of what conflicts are and stirred a vivid interest in me to further my studies in this fascinating new field; which I did by attending the MA in peace and conflict studies at the European Peace University in Austria 2 years later. Today I am running the Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution program at the Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue (FDCD) which aims at building local capacities for peace in Lebanon and in Iraq through training and dialogue.

 

  

Absolutely yes, I know that the LAU Summer School will keep being offered for many years to come because I have seen how it has touched and transformed the participants’ lives over the years. Already many graduates of this program have been involved in peacebuilding related activities some becoming trainers others program designers and managers, etc. Soon enough some of the graduates would have piled up sufficient experience and knowledge to contribute back to this program by leading some of the topics and session and even by potentially securing funding for such an initiative to keep being a quality and pioneering tradition much needed in Lebanon.