The Peacecamp in Austria was a very meaningful experience to me in two aspects:
The social aspect:
I was surprised to discover that I am open-minded and can communicate and cooperate people who are supposed to be enemies. But I guess that is what happens when you spend 10 days with 26 kids from 4 different cultural backgrounds. It’s a real special experience because you eat, sleep, fight and laugh with them. It was a lot of fun, very educational and a real unique experience.
The political aspect:
Hearing the stories and opinions from kids my age from Hungary, Austria and from the Arab delegation changed my mind and my view of many things. To hear stories from a person is quite different from hearing information on the news and from what is generally shown in the Israeli media.
I never imagined that I would be able to connect to an Arab teenager, but I did. I learned to listen and to be tolerant and that is very important to me. I hope to see everyone again, soon.
Dana Kelerich