In November 2012 one of the Outward Bound Peacbuilding facilitators, Olfat Haider, will join a group of six women from six continents who will embark on an 800 mile, 80-day long expedition to the South Pole. As part of the Access Water 2012 program, these women will represent key water challenges on their respective continents. The expedition aims to raise awareness of water issues in addition to empowering women and girls to achieve their goals and make a difference.

Born and raised in Haifa, Israel, Olfat is a Program Manager at Beit Hagefen, an Arab-Jewish Center in Haifa. She holds a B.Ed in Physical Education, a B.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Haifa, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Gender Studies at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv, Israel. Olfat has also been involved in several projects promoting peaceful co-existence between Jewish and Arab youth in Israel, including leading and facilitating numerous multicultural and multi-ethnic groups of various ages in wide-ranging projects and initiatives. As a certified Outward Bound instructor, former and only Arab member of the Israeli national volleyball team, and facilitator for the 2009 Young Social Entrepreneurs Program supported by OB Peacebuilding and Search for Common Ground, Olfat is a wonderful choice as the Middle East representative to this team of inspiring women in a trek to the South Pole.

Olfat aspired to this 80-day journey because of her interests in the outdoors, education, and her desire to make a difference in the world. Olfat recently spent three weeks in Norway training for this expedition. Though the cold will certainly be a challenge to this native of Haifa, this is not Olfat’s first challenging journey to Antarctica. In 2004, Olfat, along with three other Palestinians and four Jewish Israelis, sailed to Antarctica from South America as part of the project Breaking the Ice, an expedition that included the first successful ascent of a peak now named “Israeli-Palestinian Friendship Mountain.”

Olfat sees this new opportunity as a way to demonstrate that women can make a significant impact in the world, to highlight the importance of caring for nature, and to bring awareness to the Arab-Jewish Conflict. OB Peacebuilding will disseminate news of the expedition starting in November when Olfat starts her remarkable journey to the South Pole with two renowned polar explorers and educators and six extraordinary women from different continents and generations. For more information on the trip, check out YourExpedition.com.

To read a great article on Olfat on Haaretz, click here.

Alums Michal and Faris at the Cocktail Benefit Party

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is both an honor and a privilege to be able to stand here in front of you and to share with you one of my most profound experiences both in my privet and political life. My name is Michal Shir, I’m thirty two years old and have being working in the Israeli political system for over a decade being a spokesperson and a political advisor for several of the leading figures in the Israeli political System such as PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Education, Mr. Gideon Saar.

Today I’m the founder and CEO of theIsraeliCenterfor Political training which is the first Center inIsraelwho trains future leaders to work inside the political system such as Parliamentary assistants, spokespersons, Campaign managers and lobbyists. Recently we have started teaching Democracy and responsible citizenship in high schools throughoutIsrael.

I’m proud to say that we have more than 60% of our graduate working inside the governmental offices and the Knesset – the Israeli Parliament. Being part of the Israeli political system for so long, I have been participated many times in peace delegations with Palestinians. I have been traveling around the world getting to know “the other side.” I can assure you that meeting the “other side” inJapan,Turkeyand many more wonderful countries made peace really a fun thing to do! That is why when I was called for an interview for the Emerging political program by Mr. Fadi Rabiah, who was to become one of the most influential characters in my life, I immediately said, “Yes.”

Little did I know back then the great impact this program will have on me. On the first day of our expedition we set together both sides, Israelis on one side – Palestinians on the other – god forbid we should not be close to one another.

We were asked to draw a timeline of our life. All of the Israelis left and right wing wrote the same: we were born inIsrael, grandchildren of the holocaust generation, served and proud to be part of the Israeli defense force and in short – “This is our country! Get out!” No surprise was that the “other side” wrote the same principals only in their point of view. That night we stayed each side to its own, hardly speaking one group to another. After two days climbing mountains with 30 kilos on our back we started to crack- yes ladies and gentleman put Middle Easterners in the wild and take away their hummus and you will get communication.

I’m not so proud to say this, but I was the first one to crack. On the third day I couldn’t carry my back pack any longer – my back was painful, my feet were killing me and, like on purpose, it started raining!  In seconds, two members of the group, Ali and Rami took my really heavy backpack and carried it without anyone telling them to do so.

 I was so amazed, grateful and confused. Well I was confused twice: once because I hate getting or asking for help. And twice, because they were from the “other side.” How am I as an Israeli , Likud party member suppose to react to that? I mean, it’s not like I’m supposed to give them Jerusalem now right?

On this night we all set in the circle and started talking to each other even though it was mostly about politics. However, when we got up the next morning something was different, we talked to one another and started to get to know each other on a personal level. Seven days, three more mountain tops and one river later we became a family. No more other side, we learned to listen to each other to touch the everyday battles and struggles that we have in our personal, privet level. We learned to care.

If you ask me now who in the group is from the left wing, right wing, Israeli or Palestinian I will actually need a minute to remember. When we came back home we stayed in touch, we met on several occasions, went out together and kept that special something that was created during the expedition. However, the reality in our region didn’t change, and very fast it burst our idealistic bubble.  We just came back from our retreat inTurkey. We were so happy to see each other again! We were thirsty to learn new things from the Outward Bound team and from Search for Common Ground.

And then the peace flotilla came to theGazashore. The flotilla had so-called peace representatives wanting to breach Israeli borders without legal permission. I was thinking to myself that all of the work and effort that we had made in the leaders program was destroyed. I felt desperate about the situation, but had little time to think because a Web war started, especially on Facebook. Everyone took part!

 Personally I took a day off and started working on proving that the Israeli side was right and to announce to the world that the flotilla was a provocation that meant a lot of things BUT peace. While I was working I received a phone call from Fadi Rabieh ,the manager for the leaders program.

 First, I looked at the phone, I didn’t know what to do. . .I mean, why is he calling me? Putting me in this impossible situation, what could I possibly say to him? And then I answered, forcing myself to speak. “Hello. . . ” I said in an unsure voice.

“Hi Sweety!” I heard Fadi’s reassuring, trustful voice. “I just wanted to say. . . that I hate that it happened.” Wow! I could breathe again. Those few words taught me what was leadership and a leader responsibility is all about. In these words he didn’t say that he was for or against the flotilla. He was reflecting my feeling and thoughts. I hate that it happened!

I was so relived after that and knew on that moment that our family is OK; nothing can break us. From that day forward we continue to talk even on hard days when there are casualties on both sides –  not saying if we are for or against it – just hating the situation and swearing to take part and change it! I learned during these two years that as a leader I can’t just throw empty words to the air- I have to take full responsibility and find a solution.

I have great faith in my generation and in the wonderful leaders that are part of our Emerging Leaders family- the political group, the civil society group and the business group. On our last retreat in the CzechRepublic, we met the business group, the new members of our family. One of the members, Sam, an international business man asked me, “What are we doing here? We get along just great, but there is a world out there and the reality is not changing.”

I asked him for two things: First, imagine what would have happen if Netanyahu and Abu Mazen would have participated in such a program in their 30? How would the negotiation process gone differently? Second, I asked all of the members of the group to write down the names of all the powerful people that they know on a personal basis.  I can tell you that the names that were written are the people who call the shots in our part of the world.

 We can change the world now and in the future. In our group we have future members of parliament on both sides that are running for the nearest and future elections. We have people responsible on the media and public opinions on both sides. We have people in our group that are part of the decision making process in all kind of levels.  We are changing the reality.

What Outward Bound Peacebuilding and Search for Common Ground have given us is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of not only a great and powerful network but also to be part of a great empowering and supporting family.On a personal level I have to say that this program helped me build and shape the Israeli Center for political training.  I am teachingIsrael’s future leaders the values that I have being taught by this program.

I learned to trust. Trust myself and my personal abilities, trust others to help me and trust this wonderful process.

While I was sitting in my Solo at the expedition in Spain, on the river bank, I was watching a rock standing in middle of the river. At first I thought to myself, I’m like this rock- strong and stable – but after a few moments I thought, “I don’t want to be the rock! It’s going nowhere! I want to be like the river, to be able to overcome the obstacles in my life, to keep flowing while tossing aside what it not serving me and to keep the wonderful opportunities that come in my way.”

I will be forever grateful to Outward Bound Peacebuilding, Search for Common Ground, their facilitators Nettie Pardue, Shawn Dunning and especially Fadi Rabiah for believing in me and for teaching me how to believe. Thank you.

Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding

The OBCP Junior Board is a group of carefully selected volunteer leaders committed to advancing OBCP’s core mission and program development. The Junior Board coordinates with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to develop activities that contribute to the Organization’s networking, fundraising, and community building aims. Members of the Junior Board come from a variety of sectors and backgrounds, offering their professional experience to enrich the goals of the organization. In addition to being able to impact the organization in a positive and meaningful way, Junior Board members build their own leadership capability and advance their personal and professional networks through their participation.

The Junior Board is currently recruiting for the following volunteer roles:

• Marketing & Communications Director
• Events Co- Coordinators (2)
• Finance / Budgeting Director
• Strategic Fundraising Director
• Peacebuilding Expert
• Secretary

* If you believe that you may contribute to the Junior Board in another capacity, please indicate so in your application with a brief description of your background and potential contributions to the group.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and passion for peacebuilding issues
• 3+ years of professional experience
• Demonstrated technical expertise aligned with position of interest

Roles and responsibilities:

• Promote Outward Bound Peacebuilding and its efforts to build peace amongst leaders living in divided communities
• Identify new potential individual and organizational partners
• Participate in scheduled Junior Board meetings (4-6 times per year)
• Implement and support Junior Board-hosted events via planning, promotion, and participation

Membership terms:

• 1 year commitment to current role; 3 month trial period
• Individual annual fundraising commitment of $1,500-$3,000 (you elect your personal goal within this range based on what you believe you can donate or raise)

To apply, send a resume and statement of interest / cover letter to juniorboard@outwardboundpeace.org by June 1, 2012. Your statement of interest should address:

• Why you are interested in the position?
• Your unique skills and qualifications. How will your professional background contribute to the Junior Board?
• How did you hear about Outward Bound Peacebuilding? What drew you to the organization?
• What are some ideas you have for events and fundraisers we can implement this year?

*Interview process will begin June 8

Deadline: March 15, 2012.
Apply now! 

What?The Practicum on Experiential Peacebuilding is a program that combines a unique outdoor experience with experiential learning techniques in a multi-cultural environment. Participants will spend 7 days backpacking/hiking in Piedras Blancas, a remote lush hilly region accessible only by foot and horse and divided by the Savegre River. You will enjoy an overnight stay with a local Costa Rican family, join in a service activity, develop an experiential activity to try out with the group, and spend a day at the UPEACE Centre for Executive Education, U.N. mandated University for Peace, in Costa Rica.

Why? The United States Institute for Peace 2010 report, “Graduate Education and Professional Practice in International Peace and Conflict,” finds that U.S. graduate institutions are inadequately preparing students for careers in international peace and conflict particularly in the area of “field experience” and “applied conflict analysis and resolution skills.” Outward Bound Peacebuilding’s Practicum on Experiential Peacebuilding offers an experience based program focused on applied leadership and conflict resolution skills and taught in a challenging multi-cultural environment through an expeditionary outdoor approach.

Program Learning Objectives:
- To explore and learn the methodology and philosophy of experiential peacebuilding.
- To cultivate compassionate leadership and cross cultural awareness for sustainable change
- To learn, practice and apply conflict resolution and peacebuilding skills in an experiential context.
- To join active networks of peacebuilders.

Who? The Practicum on Experiential Peacebuilding is designed for working professionals and graduate and college students who want to get out of the classroom to apply and advance their leadership and conflict resolution skills. The Practicum is offered by Outward Bound Peacebuilding in partnership with Outward Bound Costa Rica.

When? June 16-24, 2012 (course starts 11am in San Jose and participants should not plan to fly out before 1pm on the 24th)

Where? Costa Rica (fly into San Jose). Piedras Blancas is a remote region home to many of our activities. Accessible only by foot and horse, this lush hilly region is divided by the Savegre River and is home to many of our homestay programs, hiking portions, service projects and solos.

Tuition and logistics: Tuition for the Practicum on Experiential Peacebuilding is $2000.00.  Tuition includes all instruction, training, food, equipment, course reader, transportation in country and transfer to and from the San Jose airport to the Outward Bound Costa Rica base camp. Tuition does not include airfare to and from Costa Rica, visas, and exit fees (30USD) which must be arranged by participants.

How? To apply for the 2012 Practicum on Experiential Peacebuilding, please click here.

For more information, please send an email to practicum2012@outwardboundpeace.org or call (718) 943-1247.

Deadline for Registration is March 15th, 2012.

Click here to view the flyer for this year’s Practicum on Experiential Peacebuilding.

Sustainable development and environmental peacemaking in the Middle East

A conversation with Gidon Bromberg, Israeli Co-director of Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME)

Co-sponsored by the Center for Global Affairs, CGA Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation (PACT), and the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding

Thursday, February 23, 7.30 – 8.30 pm
Center for Global Affairs
15 Barclay Street (between Broadway and Church Streets)
Directions can be found here.

Friends of the Earth Middle East engages Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians in collaborative efforts to promote water justice, sustainable development, and environmental peacemaking in the region. It is jointly managed by co-directors with offices in Tel Aviv, Bethlehem, and Amman. Join Israeli Co-director Gidon Bromberg for a conversation moderated by CGA adjunct instructor Naira Musallam on the potential of collaboration as well as its challenges — and the implications for environmental peacemaking globally.

You can RSVP by clicking here.

Click here to view the flyer.

Key Results: Social Import Report

Improved personal and emotional well-being
Young people become more resilient and optimistic, and their emotional health and self-esteem improves. 93% of teachers agree that Outward Bound influences their pupils’ personal development, in particular their confidence and self-esteem.

Improved social well-being
The quality of young people’s relationships improves, in particular with their friends, family and teachers. 93% of teachers observe better relationships between pupils on return to school.

Improved connection with the natural environment
Young people’s knowledge, awareness and appreciation of the natural environment improve. 72% of teachers observe improved awareness of the natural environment in their pupils on return to school.

Improved enthusiasm and confidence in learning
Their attitude towards learning improves, and they become more confident, capable learners in the classroom. 60% of teachers observe an improvement in their pupils’ performance in the classroom on return to school.

Full report can be found here.

What is your name and where are you from?
VLADIMIR MESARIC (mesahrich), nickname DADO (dahdoh); ZAGREB, CROATIA

How do you spend your time?
Working for OB Croatia and helping with the travel agency I founded; Besides, I’m trying to be outdoors as much as possible. Rock climbing and high altitude mountaineering are my favorite free time activities.

What was your first ever experience with OB?
In spring 2006 OB Romania instructors came over to Croatia and conducted the first 10 days TOT (Training for Trainers) for OB Croatia staff. But I had some information about Outward Bound for some time, before 2006.

Please tell us a favorite story from an OB expedition.
There are many. Maybe this one: We work with “tough” kids who, at the beginning of the program, reject everything we teach. Two girls decided to leave the program in wilderness on a second day. We let them go; they returned half an hour later realizing that they really do not know where to go because the were “in the middle of nowhere”. At the end of the program they asked “When can we join the next course?”

What were your motivation for opening OB Croatia?
It is an opportunity and challenge to apply all my outdoor, professional and life experience to set up a high quality organization with the main objective of experiential outdoor education.

What do you envision as the most long-term goals of OB Croatia’s programs?
To participate in the educational system; to became leader in outdoor education among NGOs; to participate in governmental and private social care system; to play significant role in educating Croatian future leaders.

How are OB Croatia and OB Peacebuilding related?
First contact between OB Croatia and OB Peacebuilding was established when founder Beth Anglin Knox was in Zagreb in Spring 2007 on her way to Rwanda. She conducted a short soft skills training for our staff. During her stay in Croatia she talked about OB Peacebuilding beginnings. As Croatia suffered from ethnic violence in the recent past, the idea and need of peacebuilding are close to us. Later we met Beth in New Zealand at the staff symposium in 2007; there she told us about the progress of OB Peacebuilding. It seems that our OB centers started about the same time, in 2006/2007. When we heard about the possibility to work together this year, we were really excited.

What excites you about OB Peacebuilding?
Results! We saw here two groups of young people from different sides of a high fence become friends: that fact inspired me and my colleagues. We hope we can use the experience of OB Peacebuilding here in Croatia.

What does peace mean to you?
Stability, ability for ordinary people to live without fear, and dignity with the prospect for a better future.

For many of the twelve Israeli and Palestinian business leaders, the highlight of the ten-day expedition in May 2011 was the 3am hike to the top of the Velebit mountain range.

From the top, the leaders – the newest members of OB Peacebuilding’s Palestinian-Israeli Emerging Leaders Program- watched the sunrise over the Adriatic Sea, hugging and congratulating each other for making it to the top. The hike was one of many memories of the expedition that will inspire the efforts of these traditional enemies to work together throughout the next year and years to come.

This group of carefully selected business leaders represents the third cadre of the Palestinian-Israeli Emerging Leaders Program, a shared experiential learning and leadership development initiative that seeks to build trust among and increase the leadership skills of the participants. The experience begins with a ten-day wilderness catalyst expedition and continues throughout the year with workshops in the region and two retreats. A joint effort of Outward Bound Peacebuilding and Search for Common Ground Jerusalem, the program empowers emerging leaders aged 25-45 from different sectors and backgrounds to launch initiatives that improve their local communities and reach across the Israeli-Palestinian divide.

Wild boars, nightly newscasts, and a heavy diet of sardines were other highlights of the 2011 Croatia expedition. Facilitated by OB Peacebuilding’s own Nettie Pardue, Director of Programs, and hosted by the Outward Bound Croatia team represented by executive director Vladimir Mesaric (Dado) and program manager and instructor Orsat Kratofil, the program is a successful example of the collaboration Outward Bound Peacebuilding seeks to initiate with Outward Bound Schools and Centers around the world.

Mr. Lee is a non-executive director of Hysan Development Company Limited, Swire Pacific Limited and Television Broadcasts Limited in Hong Kong.

Mr. Lee has been Chairman of Outward Bound Hong Kong and Vice Chairman of Outward Bound International and is currently Chairman of both the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding and Outward Bound China. He is a Trustee Emeritus of Stanford University and was on the Board of its Alumni Association and on the Advisory Board of its Graduate School of Business. Currently he serves on the Advisory Board of its Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, its School of Education and its School of Engineering.

Mr. Lee is also a Board Member of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, St. Paul’s Co-educational College, The Asia Society (Hong Kong Center) in Hong Kong , Phillips Academy, Andover,  and The Asia Foundation in the U.S.

Follow this link for more details: http://www.sfcg.org/programmes/jerusalem/Emerging_Business_Leaders_Program_Overview20…11.pdf

Application deadline is early March. Please feel free to forward the application to qualified applicants.

Director of Programs Nettie Pardue traveled to Costa Rica to visit with our Central American partners at Outward Bound Costa Rica and to visit the University Peace. “It is wonderful to visit with our partner schools around the world to leverage experience and best practices and a new trick or two. Outward Bound Costa Rica has a gorgeous base and they are doing great things.” Nettie spent time with a group of participants paddling on the Orsosi River and visited a potential course area on the Nicoya peninsula. We are looking at developing an 8-day program showcasing our work in experiential peacebuilding. Stay tuned.