This July, a unique and ambitious peacebuilding initiative brought together young leaders from different sides of two conflict zones—Israel/Palestine and Kosovo. The week-long TOKA-Debate for Peace camp, a direct collaboration between Debate for Peace and the Kosovo-based TOKA organization, created a safe space for empathy, dialogue, and growth.
The camp brought together several dozen teenagers: Israeli, Palestinian, Albanian, Serbian, and American, to build meaningful connections across national, ethnic, and religious divides—and to explore how young people can become agents of peace in regions still grappling with the legacy of conflict.
The program’s design emphasized not only intercultural bonding but also the development of core peacebuilding skills. Participants took part in dialogue circles, storytelling, writing and acting workshops, and an Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding simulation. Discussions were at once local and global, with the youth discussing how conflicts impact their daily lives, as well as how to create positive change around them.
In addition to peacebuilding and conflict resolution programming, the students engaged in games and challenges (Splat and Water Olympics being some of the highlights), visited Prizren, and hiked Kosovo’s Via Ferrata.
Despite initial caution, and many challenges along the way, the students showed incredible courage and empathy, rising to the challenge. Honest dialogue emerged, friendships blossomed across every line of difference, and the young leaders left camp not only with new skills, but also with a strong sense of shared humanity.
This pilot program was more than just successful—it was groundbreaking, providing a space for both Israeli and Palestinian youth, and Albanian and Serbian youth, to engage freely and openly. It demonstrated the mutual benefit of linking youth from different conflict zones, creating a model for cross-border peace education that we hope to expand upon in the coming months.
As the final night came to a close, one truth was clear: when given the space, support, and respect, young people from divided communities can move from mistrust to mutual understanding—and even friendship. This is not just peacebuilding; it’s the foundation for a more hopeful future.
Debate for Peace is grateful to the TOKA staff for creating a safe space for all of the students, and for partnering to create the 2025 Peacebuilding camp.
Debate for Peace 