Creating Friendships for Peace

Alexis Eskenazi, U.S. Teen Liaison

Alexis lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a junior at Castilleja School.  Alexis and her family hosted an Israeli-Palestinian pair of teens with CFP in 2019. The following summer, she helped lead a team of CFP alumni, administrators, and US teen volunteers to develop CFP’s first alumni survey, which explored strategic initiatives under consideration by CFP. Alexis aided in interpreting the survey results, which led to the development of CFP’s 2021 Pilot Peacebuilding Seminar for US teens held in spring and to new alumni initiatives and programs held in summer. She also participated in the US pilot seminar, graduating with a Certificate of Excellence. In her ongoing role, she will collaborate with CFP leadership and alumni from the US, Cyprus, and Israel-Palestine to enhance the long-lasting bonds of friendship among alumni.  This includes the possible expansion of the role of US teen hosts and could help to open new hosting areas to accommodate the increasing international interest in CFP’s peacebuilding program.

One of the unexpected successes of the US Teen Pilot Program was the participants’ interest in continuing to learn and hone the skills of managing difficult conversations and minimizing conflict.  They stated that high schools do not teach these skills as a rule and that these skills are needed.  One idea for meeting this need was to establish CFP clubs.

Betsy Small and I recently hosted a kick-off, inaugural meeting with five local NH high school students who attended the US Teen Pilot Program and a representative of their high school.  The students enjoyed sharing information and ideas with  CFP alumna Elpida Constantinou and a visiting German exchange student. Everyone was able to brainstorm about global peace perspectives and how the proposed club can begin and fit into the academic fabric of their high school. The local high school students are excited about the future of the club and plan on the meeting by early September to take steps into making the club a reality. 

In the meantime, CFP leadership is creating a structure and standard curriculum to ensure that CFP clubs will further CFP’s mission and goals.  Once the concept is fully developed, it will be shared with other high schools in CFP hosting areas.

Bo Dean
NH Area Coordinator

• Dr. Fred Luskin;
• Dr. Shani Robbins;
• Rhonda Gassow,
• JD/mediator;
• Dr. Eleftheros Michael;
• Dr. Warren Muir, founder and former Executive Director of Cyprus Friendship Program and former ED of the Children’s Friendship Program, Northern Ireland;
• Gordon Atkinson, JD; andCFP alumni from the areas of conflict we serve.

The violence which occurred in Israel and Palestine in early May followed weeks of rising tensions in Jerusalem. At the outbreak of the violence, CFP reached out to our Israeli and Palestinian alumni to ensure that they and their families were safe and were relieved to learn that they were.  In turn, they were encouraged to know that we are there for them. Several months have passed since the cease-fire of 21 May and unfortunately, the tensions and uncertainties remain across the region.  These present challenges in our efforts to establish the programs we had initiated. Yet these challenges will not stop our efforts; grassroots people-to-people programs are needed now as much as ever!

In 1998 the Omagh bombing, the deadliest single incident of the troubles in Northern Ireland, occurred when CFPNI’s (predecessor to CFP) summer U.S. residential was coming to a close and the youth were to return home soon. There were fears, uncertainties, and much discussion on how CFPNI would move forward in the face of that darkness. Fortunately, the decision was unanimous that the program would continue, with even greater intent, and not be modified or deterred by the violence perpetuated by a few.

With this history in CFP’s resolve, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to pursuing our plans for programs in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. Throughout our efforts to move forward, we will remain steadfast in our support for our alumni and their families in Israel and Palestine.

Tamera Drozd
Middle East Program Coordinator