that is what many people I know told me, they were telling me that it’s useless and if you want to go just go to have fun and visit the
city there …to be honest with everyone, sometimes their words got to me since many activities like the PIE project in Copenhagen have took place with no visible outcome.
But then I got to think about it
even more and after some time I thought to myself: what’s wrong with going there and presenting the facts and arguments from my point of view since that I’ve always been complaining that there is no one representing the
youth’s ideas and their views in Palestine and for that I decided to finally apply; fortunately I got invited to participate.
When we (Palestinian participants) reached Copenhagen and got
introduced to the organizers and some of the European participants I was so happy just to be there but inside me I was thinking what if things do not go as smooth as anticipated???, what if we (
Palestinians & Israelis) start fighting during the workshops ???? Those were the questions that worried me the most so I decided to just be objective, rational and open minded about what every one had to say
which I actually did.
As the conference started, I was merely trying to listen to everyone before saying what I had in mind and at first both sides tried to say things that best fit their own interests
both used different terminologies in their speeches some of which were provocative to the other side but as things moved on and people were listening to each other the discussion progressed to a level were it was
possible to talk about many issues that the conflict was built on in the first place and that was a result to the fact that each side showed respect to the other since that mutual respect among different sides in any
conflict is the best way to start the way for solving the conflict.
In my own opinion about what made the conference a success is that both sides were willing to compromise and listen to the other side’s
view of the story, although at some times the discussion got stuck at certain points but that is just natural since that we are individuals with different attitudes but the same goal which is peace between the two
nations.
However, there are always different groups on each side who will do everything in their power to avoid and stand against these kinds of projects such as the PIE project where sides in a conflict
can sit and discuss possible means that are acceptable for both parties to reach a final and stable solution and having such groups is never an excuse to avoid such projects because as for me, this is one of the few
chances I will get to sit with the other side and tell them what I think, my ideas, my points of view and what solutions I have and this is by no chance called NORMALIZATION which I am personally
against because the two sides (Palestinians & Israelis) are not living in a state of peace and stability, the issue here is that we were trying to open channels of communication to work out fundamental
conflict issues.
On the other side, the participation of the Europeans from all over Europe in the conference made all the difference in setting the light on major conflict issues specially that they
were never bias towards any side; on the contrary, they were hard on both sides sometimes and I personally think that the absence of the European side on a significant level in the conflict is one things that is
standing in the way of solving the conflict and maintaining peace in the region.
Finally, I would like to say that I am overwhelmed and actually proud to have participated in the
PIE conference in Copenhagen, August 2003 for that I got the chance to express the way I feel and many Palestinians feel too, I also got the chance to know how the other side thinks not to mention how great the
experience it self has been and if I have the chance to participate again in such activities I will never think twice.
Sincerely,
Usama Khalilieh
