This was Peacecamp 2014
When I signed up for Peacecamp this spring, I really didn’t know what to expect. I had no idea what kind of activities were planned, what kinds of people I was going to meet, or what we were going to discuss in the Large Group. To be honest, I was kind of skeptical at first!
Well, it turned out to be an experience that deeply changed me and my worldview and something I am extremely grateful to have been part of.
When we met each other at the airport, the 31 strangers were just many faces and names I couldn’t pronounce…but very soon we started talking to each other, had a lot of fun and bonded as a group (and I think we grew very close in those 10 days!).
Especially the Culture Evenings and the Talent Show, and the big show in Vienna made me really happy and I was very impressed by all the cool dances the other delegations performed!
But naturally, we didn’t only have fun there…after all, we came to discuss important and difficult matters…this happened in the Large Group, which were mostly really interesting to listen to, but there were also many things that shattered me to my roots. So I had a hard time with these things, but it was vital that they have been voiced!
However, I didn’t only learn about new cultures, conflicts and problems in other countries, but also much about myself. On the one hand, the activities made me act more open towards others and more focused on what’s happening to the people around me, but on the other hand I also found out many things about my own identity, which was (and is) extremely important at this time in my life.
Each and every one of you (from the teenagers as well as the adults) played an important part in our group! And no matter how small or big that part was, or how much or how little you and I talked: I still think of you every day, and if we never meet again, I wish you as much peace as I can for your time on Earth…
Also, for the team: I know how hard it is to work with a large group of teenagers with that many differents points of view and motivate them to get up, WALK, stand up for their opinions and sometimes to embarrass themselves…thank you for doing that, you did a great job!
What I take with me from Peacecamp are not only lots of new awesome songs, language skills, cool dances, many good friends, but also an expanded mindset. And lots of beautiful, intimate, fun, awkward, hurtful and valuable moments.
Caroline Mocza, Vienna
0 comments | Comment
The programme "Religionen der Welt" ("Religions of the World") presented a short documentation of the peacecamp in Lackenhof (5 minutes):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybOiAoqi-nY&feature=youtu.be
0 comments | Comment
