Debate for Peace

Debate for Peace led its third annual delegation to the United Nations offices in Vienna June 24-30, with student leaders ages 12-17 from four religious backgrounds, speaking five languages, from six schools in Israel and Kosovo. The students met with three NGOs active in peacebuilding, two UN offices, two missions to the UN, the embassy of Malta, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria.

The delegation began the trip by meeting with the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR) Vienna, where they learned about the nuances of peacekeeping, peacebuilding and peacemaking. The next day the group visited the UN in Vienna, where they learned from UNHCR about the challenges that refugees and other displaced persons face and how the UN helps refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). At the next meeting with UNOOSA, the students learned about the UN’s efforts to bring the global community together to collaborate on peaceful space research.

From the UN, the delegation traveled to the International Institute of Peace (IIP), where the discussion touched on conflicts and conflict resolution around the world, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The group was then welcomed to the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), where they learned about how NGOs and civil society can advance goals at the UN, before enjoying dinner together.

On the final day of briefings, the delegation met with the head of the Middle East unit at the Austrian Ministry of European and International Affairs to discuss the challenges facing the region, especially in light of the ongoing war. The students continued to the European Mission to the United Nations, where they learned about the EU’s agenda in advancing a shared agenda at the UN, and the nuances of multilateral diplomacy. 

At the Embassy of Malta, the delegation heard about how smaller countries can play a leading role in advancing diplomacy, as well as the importance of neutrality, with Malta currently sitting on the UN Security Council as well as holding the presidency of the OSCE. The day concluded at the US Mission to the United Nations in Vienna, where a panel of American diplomats spoke with the students and answered their questions about issues ranging from drugs and crime to nuclear disarmament.

In addition to the meetings, the group made sure to visit some of the touristic highlights of Vienna, from Sisi’s museum and the technical museum to the House of music and Schonbrunn zoo, even getting lost in the royal labyrinth. There was also time for a river cruise, and a day trip to Slovakia.

Debate for Peace expresses its deep appreciation to the embassies, missions and NGOs who hosted the delegation, and to the diplomats and civil society leaders who patiently met with these future leaders and answered their questions. Congratulations as well to the participants of the delegation, coming from Kasim Ghanim School (Maghar), Yahalom Middle School (Shoham), Younited International High School (Givat Haviva), De Shalit high school (Rehovot), Atid Cramim (Binyamin) and Pristina High School (Pristina).