peacecamp2016

Hello everybody! My name is Caroline and I live in Vienna with my son and a young refugee from Afghanistan, I have housed in my home. I’m the group coordinator of the Austrian delegation which includes 13 young people from three different schools in Lower Austria and Vienna (Sacre Coeur Pressbaum/BAKIP, BRG Purkersdorf and ERG Donaustadt/Diakonie Wien). I’m going to experience the peacecamp for the third time. My special interest in the Middle East is due to many friendships and my involvement with this topic for many years. I have Israeli friends as well as Palestinian friends and both are extremely precious for me. My special interest in this case is how to communicate in a respectful and esteeming way, without blaming and hurting each other, starting to respect each other’s experiences and feelings. The latest developments of the war in Syria and all its impacts to people who escape from war and look for shelter made me very attentive and alert that we all live in one world, in which we all have to care for peace. My interests are creativity, arts, music, theatre, dance and all kind of activities! ;-) As a professional actress and trauma pedagogue I’ll work with all peacecamp participants on your family albums with the means of Biography Theatre. Therefore I would love to invite you working with me on your special things that you ought to bring with you: little souvenirs of your home, your family or photographs with delightful and positive memories. We’ll do some kind of theatre improvisations and maybe we’ll find some scenes, based on your objects. I’m very curious to meet you and I wish you a splendid time at peacecamp 2016! I’m looking forward getting to know you soon!

Hi, my name is Ronny. I am Evelyn's husband, and while she is the mastermind behind the peacecamp project, I am rather the allrounder taking care of all the organisational details entailed with such an event. I will be at the camp on and off, commuting between Vienna and Lackenhof. I was born in Argentina and am living in Vienna (with interruptions) since my childhood. I have two grown-up daughters and (so far) one grandson. I am looking forward to be with you all at peacecamp no. 14! See you soon ...

I am Evelyn, your host at peacecamp.
I started the peacecamp project in 2004 and since then, am realizing peacecamps each year. My intention is to offer young people a chance to meet and to exchange views about the obstacles to peace within their respective societies. I believe that young people are creative, intelligent and often more courageous than the older generation(s) and that they may be able to find new approaches to problems that the older generation can or could not resolve. I do believe that a real encounter with "strangers", with "others", with "opponents" can contribute to the understanding of one another and make a difference in the way in which people of different countries, nations and religions relate to one another. I believe in friendship, in dialogue, in the personal responsibilty and strength of each individual to contribute to, and shape the society in which we are living. I believe in compromise. I believe in looking into the future rather than dwelling on the past.
I believe that the world is a beautiful place, that each country and nation has wonderful people and that each one of us can contribute to make the world a better place for all.