DebateforPeace Model UN

Peace, Respect and Tolerance at the Forum of Young Religious Leaders in Astana Kazakhstan

October 16, 2024

By Debate for Peace founder Steven Aiello

Last week I was blessed to participate in the first Forum of Young Religious Leaders, held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The forum was part of the annual meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Participants came from dozens of countries around the globe, representing a rich diversity of religions, and speaking different languages: from Chinese speaking Tao monks to Russian speaking priests to Kazakh speaking Bahai representatives. I met Shi’a leaders from Iran, and scholars of AlAzhar, the most prestigious Islamic university in the Sunni Muslim world. Each participant added a unique color to the rich tapestry of religious diversity at the conference, and I was truly honored to be the Jewish representative.

One of the highlights of the program was the opening reception, hosted by Maulen Ashimbayev, Head of the Secretariat of the Congress. In addition to a four course meal, well appreciated by the participants who came from all over the globe, we got to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Kazakhstan, with an incredible music and dance program.

Later on we were also offered the chance to visit cultural and touristic sites around Astana–-I chose to visit the Yryskeldy Haji Mosque, which is one of only three mosques in the world that uses solar panels to produce more energy than it consumes. The head imam of the mosque came to greet me, and another imam showed me around the mosque and patiently answered questions about the mosque, and about Islam in Astana in general.

The forum itself began the next morning with an exhibition showcasing artwork by schoolchildren in Kazakhstan under the themes of Peace and Spirituality. In the book corner, dozens of books and monographs were on display. I was honored to present two books: The Lesson of the Olive Tree: contemporary thoughts on the Torah, which I published just a week earlier, and The Write Path, an anthology of writing by Israeli and Palestinian youth from four religious backgrounds that we published through the Writers Matter program. Before leaving the art and publication section, we were invited to draw or sign a giant peace banner.

The dialogue portion of the forum began next. This inaugural forum focused on the approach of religion to contemporary issues, from sustainable development, to artificial intelligence and technology. We heard from a range of speakers, with the benefit of simultaneous translation to maximize inclusion. My own speech was on technology and religious values, and I focused on encouraging us to consider what our core religious values are, and how we can use technology to enrich our religious experiences and our interpersonal relationships. The conference was further enriched by the participation of dozens of volunteers and local participants, who asked questions during the panels.

Beyond the immediate benefits of learning from so many incredible religious leaders, I left the conference feeling inspired and spiritually rejuvenated. Coming from a conflict zone and an ongoing war, during which religion has often been abused and exploited to promote hate, not love, to divide rather than unite, it was refreshing to be enveloped in a feeling of brotherhood from the moment I stepped foot in Kazakhstan. This was thanks to the thoughtful conference organizers, the wonderful participants, and atmosphere in Kazakhstan: a religious pluralism and tolerance that is sadly far too rare. Each conference participant’s needs had been carefully planned, which in my case meant an abundance of wrapped Kosher meals provided by the Chabad of Astana. It may sound like a fantasy for a religious Jew coming from Israel to break bread with Muslim leaders from Iran, Qatar, Egypt, UAE and other countries in the region, but thanks to the Forum of Young Religious Leaders, and Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, I got to experience it in person. It was heartening to experience that, and empowering to realize that there are many others who have dedicated their time and energy to turning the dream of religious tolerance and peace into a new global reality.

Peacebuilding in Sarajevo: The Asfar- Resolve Network Conference

October 10, 2024

By Debate for Peace staff Hala and Sharehan

The Asfar- Resolve Network Conference

This three day well organized conference brought together lots of participants from different parts of the world to better understand injustices and conflicts globally and come up with realistic solutions.

This year’s Resolve conference was held in Bosnia-Herzegovina; a place which has experienced many conflicts, yet is full of interesting people. From the minute we arrived at the conference location we were welcomed by energetic participants and volunteers who we really enjoyed our time with!

The first day, the topic was about youth in peacebuilding which in fact we really related to– since our main goal is to focus on youth groups all over the world to be aspiring peacebuilders and activists. In addition to the opening panel and workshops, as volunteers in this conference, listening and seeing all the participants for the first time brought us lots of new ideas and hope.

That first day we had some inspiring guest speakers, one of them that really caught our attention was a woman who spoke about her experience working with youth in Afghanistan, which shifted the gears of our minds. Because the obstacles she had to overcome in order to make change in the world especially in such a “dangerous” zone made us realize that no matter what we face at the end we can achieve one of our goals, which is being the change and making what is so called impossible possible.

Another one of the speakers was a representative of the Post-Conflict Research Center in Bosnia, who opened our eyes to using the method of educating kids from a young age in schools about peacebuilding and how to speak up rather than staying silent, which is an ingenious idea that we can also apply here in Israel.

Although we learned a lot that day, we also had fun playing a simulation game called MORE. Since we had the opportunity of playing roles that were assigned to us and really feeling the pressure of making decisions that may determine the results of the simulation game. After an interesting day we had the opportunity to discover the old town of Sarajevo, with the amazing participants and volunteers from five continents.

The second day started with us decorating the conference room, as us girls and volunteers always do. We had the honor of hearing Jo Berry’s story about how she managed to hear the enemy’s story and the motivation of the man who had murdered her father and how that decision to meet and listen changed her whole reality. During her talk she said “Perhaps more than anything I’ve realised that no matter which side of the conflict you’re on, had we all lived each other’s lives, we could all have done what the other did”. When Jo finished her story, she talked to the audience individually. After hearing everyone’s perspective Jo was interested in Debate For Peace members Hala’s perspective on the story . So Jo decided to give Hala a book signed by her, which Hala was so surprised and thankful about. Because during Jo’s talk Hala picked up the methods of forgiveness that Jo mentioned and used to forgive the soldier who killed her father.

During that day we snuck out during our lunch break to visit the synagogue, however we are glad that we did. Seeing the faces of our new friends approaching the synagogue, many for the first time in a synagogue, and them taking pictures of the place was amazing, because then we realized no matter what your background or ethnicity is, everyone has a soft spot when it comes to accepting and admiring new things that comes their way.

When we came back to the conference room, we learned how to really write a heartfelt well structured paragraph, that we really did the old style with a couple of tears, pens and paper.

That night after our bellies were full of authentic Bosnian food we had the chance to get to know each other on a deeper level, by playing a card game called “Empathy Box” that was facilitated by Steven, which actually had some of us participants in tears by the end of the night.

The third and last day of the conference started with laughter and joyful tears that were shed while playing simulation games to highlight the complexity in peacebuilding. Then to continue with our topic we heard from an inspiring speaker with a complex yet real story of coming from an unrecognized village. Our own Sharehan Alwakiliy had the opportunity to share her story: where she came from, and how she had the courage to speak up and overcome many obstacles.

After that amazing session we played more simulation games led by Steven, and the twist was that people who participated and very much enjoyed the games got an Israeli chocolate as a reward. Unfortunately the conference time passed quickly, and before we knew it was time to say goodbye to all of our new friends. Even though we had only known them for three days it felt like an eternity now?

Another interesting thing we did post conference was to experience every religion in one day, highlighting the beauty of Sarajevo, the Jerusalem of Europe. First we heard the adhan call to prayer, so we decided to head to the masjid to pray since some of us are Muslim. Afterwards we were invited to Friday nights prayers and Qiddush in the synagogue which was really interesting and new to all of us. On our way back to the old town we heard the bells of the church ringing so we decided to follow the sound and visit the church. People practice their religion in many different ways yet at the end we belong to one human race which for those of us in peacebuilding is a really huge reminder that at the end of the day we are one, no matter our differences.

With deep appreciation to the Asfar team, all of the partner organizations, and the wonderful participants, volunteers, and locals of Sarajevo who helped us have such an amazing experience!

Youth Delegation to the UN in Vienna Meets Diplomats and Civil Society Leaders

July 2, 2024

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).

IOMUN XIX: Women’s Rights and Robot-Human Crisis

June 24, 2024

IOMUN XIX took place on Sunday June 23, with students from over a dozen countries and 4 continents competing in two virtual MUN committees. In the UN Women committee, delegates debated the many challenges facing women’s rights in Afghanistan following the return to power of the Taliban, trying to advance solutions to improve the situation. In the crisis committee, students time-traveled to 2075, where a (hopefully) fictitious war between humans and robots has broken out. The students represented humans and robots and tried to avoid a catastrophic end of the world.

The conference lasted for well over three hours, as both committees built up momentum. Finally during the award ceremony at the end, their achievements were recognized. Each participant will also receive a certificate of participation. A special thanks to the Secretariat team of IOMUN XIX: Angjelina, Nevan, Sai and Ziva. IOMUN is supported by the US Embassy in Jerusalem and run by an international Secretariat of students on three continents. In addition to the virtual conferences, IOMUN runs delegations to the UN, and to Model UN conferences abroad, in partnership with Debate for Peace.

TIQVAMUN IX at China International University: 150 students debate human rights, sustainable development, and war

May 27, 2024

TIQVAMUN, Israel’s second oldest MUN conference, was hosted by the Chen Young Ambassadors School at Thursday, May 23. This year the conference brought together 150 students from over a dozen schools and cities for a full day of Model UN at the UIBE-ISRAEL China International University in Petah Tiqva. The students competed in six committees ranging from beginners (Human Rights Council; UN Environment Programme) to intermediate (UN Development Programme) to advanced (African Union, and 9/11 two-cabinet crisis).

After a full day of the conference, the awards were announced: In HRC, Maya Kessel (Hadassim), Shachar Cohen (Hadassim) and Maya Sinclair (Yachad) were Outstanding Delegates, while Guy Regev (Atid Lod) was Best Delegate. In UNEP, Yuval Prusak (Misgav), Hili Michaeli (Atid Lod), and Yarden Indursky (Meitarim Ra’anana) were Outstanding Delegate, while Omer Attia (Hadassim) was Best Delegate. In UNDP, Amir Liba (Shoham), Hadar Rosenfeld (Atid Lod), and Naya Sagiv (Atid Lod) were Outstanding Delegate, and Rotem Weiss (Branco Weiss Rabin Keshet Mazkeret Batya) was the Best Delegate.

In the advanced committees, in the African Union Tzlil Israeli (Atid Lod) and Gilad Revel (Branco Weiss Mazkeret Batya) were Outstanding Delegates, and Alon Rozenson (Shoham high school) Best Delegate. In the US Cabinet, Roy Bernstein (Atid Lod) and Nika Berditchevsky (Debate for Peace) were Outstanding Delegates, and Alma Ben Avraham (Shoham) was Best Delegate. In the Taliban-Al Qaeda cabinet, Rotem Tsadok (Branco Weiss) and Ziv Maman (Shoham) were Outstanding Delegate, and Ward Uweis (Debate for Peace) was Best Delegate.

Director of the Young Ambassadors School, Sharon Seiden Volcani, congratulated the students who organized and participated in the conference, and said that the conference instilled values of democracy, diplomacy, problem-solving, debate, civil discourse, and negotiation skills to the participants. TIQVAMUN IX’s Secretariat included Maya Avraham (Secretary General), Yaniv Becker (USG), Eve Burde, Amichai Kremer, Shani Eigerman, and Ella Fishler. Thanks to the US Embassy for its support of the conference, and of MUN in Israel.

Two Sides, One Humanity: An Israeli-Palestinian Poem

May 2, 2024

The following poem was cowritten by a Jewish Israeli author and a Palestinian author as part of the Writers Matter program led by Professor Bob Vogel. The juxtaposition of two stories (fictional names based on the tragic reality of the ongoing war and surrounding conflict) illustrate how there are two human sides to the conflict, both suffering and both struggling to see one another’s pain.

Two Sides, One Humanity

It’s Sunday morning. I wake up, drool on my pillow, sheet marks scattered across my body, face still puffy. I turn on the TV to watch my favorite cartoon when unintentionally I see the news. I only linger for a moment.

On the news, they say it was them. How can I love them? They are the devil. How can I love them?

My friend Mohammad lost his parents in 2014; they were killed by a bomb. Before that, he used to be the life of the party, his smile shining bright, laughter filling my ears anytime I was around him. He loved to play soccer and play “bananir” and “8omida.” He had a dream; he wanted to be a therapist, to help heal souls, broken souls.

He doesn’t smile anymore, only the pity smile he gives to the people who say, “Sorry for your loss.” He doesn’t care about souls anymore; he doesn’t believe everyone has them. I threw a ball at him and said, “Come on, let’s play.” He kicked it back like it was never a part of him and said to give it to a kid who would enjoy it. I think I saw a tear fall, but I didn’t say anything because kids were orphaned all the time. Looking back now, I would have hugged him and told him everything would be okay. But that was a lie, and we both knew it even then… Ten years later, Mohammad was killed during the war. Then I knew it would never be okay.

My friend Yoav lost his brother during the second intifada. He was always a quiet kind kid and never let anyone fall behind. He loved to read books and go to the beach. He said he was at peace there. Yoav wanted to write books and travel the world.

Yoav is still quiet, but the kind of quiet that you notice, the kind that comes from people who have lost the will to say anything. He doesn’t read books because his brother would be the one to bring them to him. I don’t remember the last time I saw him holding a book. Yoav doesn’t come to the beach anymore. I wonder if he even has a place for peace. He doesn’t travel. I think he felt guilty to travel when his brother was six feet under. Looking back, I would have hugged him and told him everything would be okay. But that was a lie, and we both knew it even then… Twenty years later, Yoav was killed at the nova party. Then I knew it would never be okay.

Sometimes I wonder how you expect us not to hate the very people who took everything away from us.

Mohammad, even when he didn’t get to be a therapist, he was my therapist. He never liked seeing me sad, so why leave? He taught me so much and even showed me how to love myself. He used to help his mom and everyone around him. When he was killed, I didn’t just lose my friend or my therapist; I lost a part of me. A big part of me is with him in heaven. Maybe he can be that part’s therapist.

Yoav was everything to me. He was a brother. He wrote me little stories and held me up when life got tough. So why leave? Yoav was a pure-hearted boy. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. And now he’s up in the sky. My dear Yoav, are you looking down on me, guiding and protecting us?

Mohammad?

Yoav?

Just feel, take a deep breath, and let go.

Stretch your hand and lay your head on my chest over my heart.

Can you feel my heartbeat?

I can’t feel yours.

Why can’t I feel yours?

Can you hear me? Are you listening?

Are you there? Maybe if you don’t have a rhythm, you can follow mine, the rhythm of love.

Love? I think I mean the rhythm of fear.

Eyes, beautiful eyes left open even when life went.

Ears, clogged. Leave the ignorant bliss and educate yourself.

Stop hearing and start listening to me.

I will own up to my part in our story.

But stop hiding.

You are not innocent; a victim maybe, but you played a hand in your own downfall.

Tongues, swear to god.

They spread empty promises and lie

until those little white lies turn the tongue into black dust.

You promised a future, but Palestinians in Gaza fail to pass the age of 18.

A nation of children who never grow up.

You promised a place where I could be me. Israeli Jews massacred in their own country.

A nation that has been slaughtered since the beginning of time.

Our senses make us senseless.

Paralyzed in fear like a child abandoned

angry like the breeze slapping the trees.

Two sides, always two sides, yet only one ever seen or one you choose to see.

I Am From- by Dana

April 21, 2024

Part of the Writers Matter program led by Professor Bob Vogel

I Am From / Dana Khatsevich

If you ask me where am I from

I’ll remain silent and won’t answer at all

I would be staring right into the void

Afraid to say something and regret afterward.

If you ask me where am I from

I’II imagine all the hurting souls

Screaming and prying trying to go back to their homes

Covered in blood and wounds

Afraid to move to not get shot

If you ask me where am I from

I’II be frozen and won’t move at all

I would try to avoid my thoughts

Because I know deep down

That they are just lost hope

If you ask me where am I from

I want to shout out the name of my home

I want to say

I am from a beautiful place

with a loving community and a welcoming hand.

I am from a beautiful place

With shining smile and unforgettable face

The place that I should never be afraid to represent

but what can I say, I’m afraid of everyone to find that I am from Israel

Delegation to Philadelphia and DC with Writers Matter and Heart of a Nation Brings Message of Hope and Empathy

April 18, 2024

In the immediate aftermath of October 7th, Debate for Peace partnered with Professor Bob Vogel to run a 9 week writing course to help students and teachers process the emotions that they were facing. The writing, which covered themes ranging from fear and pain caused by the war, identity, questions about the future, and more, turned out to be very powerful and moving.

Over the last week, with the help of Professor Vogel’s Writers Matter, and Jonathan Kessler’s Heart of A Nation, a delegation of six students and two teachers traveled to the US to read their work and speak about their experiences. These meetings highlighted the difficulties that Jewish Israeli and Palestinian teenagers have faced in the last six months, as well as their dedication to forge a new, peaceful future together.

The group met with public and private middle school and high school audiences, visited four college campuses, several synagogues and a church, met young professional groups, and spoke at the World Affairs Council in Philadelphia and the Israel Policy Forum in DC. In Philadelphia they also had a chance to interact with local participants of the Writers Matter program, and to lead a peer writing session.

In total, the delegation met with about 500 people during the course of the delegation. The reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with many audience members and participants mentioning how inspired they felt, encouraging the students to keep writing together, and even asking how they could get involved.

Debate for Peace is grateful to the US Embassy for its support, to Professor Bob Vogel for his selfless dedication to giving students a voice, to the generous donors who enabled the delegation, to Mr. Jonathan Kessler and Heart of a Nation for hosting and facilitating the delegation’s visit to DC, and to all of the groups who invited the delegation to present.

Debate for Peace Visits European Parliament and UNRIC; Competes in YMUN Europe

March 24, 2024

Yale Model UN Europe brought together students from top schools across North and South America, Europe, and Asia for three rigorous days of MUN, March 15-17. Debate for Peace was proud to take part in this prestigious conference, held in Brussels, Belgium, the heart of the European Union.

The Debate for Peace delegation included students from six schools around Israel, as well as two students from Pristina high school. The group held a day of briefings on Thursday, March 14th, meeting with the German mission to the European Union, the Human Rights Action Unit at the European Parliament, the UN Regional Information Center (UNRIC), followed by a discussion with Simone Susskind with the Actions in the Mediterranean group.

The delegation then competed in six committees, ranging from historical crisis committees to the EU, SOCHUM and ECLAC committees. Each delegate put in hours of research to prepare for the conference, and the team as a whole performed at a high level, as befitting such an international competition. A special congratulations to Ari Plosker (Best Delegate Historical Security Council) and Yara Huleihel (Essay competition winner).

Debate for Peace thanks the Yale Model UN team for a special MUN conference, and for helping bring together students from such diverse backgrounds for this wonderful experience.

IOMUN 17: Delegates on Five Continents Address Challenges of the Past, Present and Future

March 6, 2024

On Sunday, March 3, 40 students from over 15 countries participated in IOMUN 17. The latest iteration of international online MUN, featured three committees: UNESCO (redesigning education); UNOOSA (addressing space challenges in 2075), and a historical Crisis committee dealing with the 9/11 attacks.

The conference opened with a guest speaker, Jake Morris, who spoke about how his own MUN experiences, from a delegate in high school to helping run Johns Hopkins University MUN, helped prepare him for a career in international relations.

After the ceremony, delegates began their opening speeches, before moving to collaborate and negotiate as they attempted to write a comprehensive resolution to their respective challenges. Despite being from a wide range of time zones, the delegates worked for nearly four hours, going down to the wire, before the final votes, or in the case of the crisis committee, the final directive.

During the award ceremony, in UNESCO, Teo Leon Villa (Estonia), was Honorable Mention, Maheswaran Narayanan (Estonia) was Outstanding Delegate and Shaurya Shetty (Mozambique) was Best Delegate. In the UNOOSA committee, Giancarlo De La Cruz Rodriguez (Spain) was Honorable Mention, Mahir Kridai (delegate of UKSA) won Outstanding Delegate, and Goutham Sivasailam (ROSCOSMOS) was Best Delegate. In the 9/11 crisis committee, Naomi Gildor (John Ashcroft) received Honorable Mention, Ayushmaan Mukherjee (Head of FBI) was Outstanding Delegate, and Guy Bar Gil (CIA Head) won Best Delegate.

IOMUN 18 will be held on April 14th. IOMUN is supported by the US Embassy in Jerusalem and run by an international Secretariat led by Nana, Yaniv, Ziva, Angjelina, Nevan, Sai, Anna, Sami, Ethan and Maria.