Youth of Abkhazia Participate in Peace Camp
Prior to Breakout of Hostilities in Georgia

Given the recent conflict in Georgia this summer, it’s refreshing to know that 50 youth representing various ethnic backgrounds (Abkhaz, Georgian, Russian, and Armenian) were able to get together to participate in what has become an annual Peace Camp in the mountainous area of Auadkhara in Abkhazia.  The Peace Camp was held in July only weeks before the breakout of hostilities across the Republic of Georgia.

The 1992-3 conflict in Abkhazia followed by 15 years of separation left deep divisions and mistrust between the two main ethnic groups - the Abkhaz and ethnic Georgians.  Over the past few years ethnic Georgians started returning to their villages however they continued to be faced with physical isolation and very few interactions between them and the rest of the Abkhaz population.  The Georgian-Abkhaz conflict is one of protracted tensions and violence in which the population's psychological traumas have created negative perceptions of the opposite side that are very difficult to address directly with adults that have directly suffered from the war.  

It is therefore important to look at the new generation as an element of hope where attitude changes are still possible.  With this in mind, World Vision together with The Eagle Down Foundation supported this fourth Peace Camp in the region to give the youth an opportunity to be engaged in joint activities as well as to spend ten days of intensive socializing as an essential first step to restoring and normalizing relationships in Abkhazia.

The successful Peace Camp this year follows the 2005 "Peacebuilding and Ecological Summer Camp", the 2006 "Young Citizens for the Future Summer Camp" and the 2007 "Debating for Peace" summer camp.  Youth were all very deeply and positively impacted by the Peace Camp experience. During the camp, ethnic divides and stigmas completely disappeared although the targeted youth live in an environment of permanent interethnic mistrust. In addition to learning about conflict resolution techniques and about international governmental structures, the youth were presented with civic education training in human rights and democratization.  They used a Model United Nations format to simulate the activities of the UN Security Council as they attempted to resolve complex international issues.  Such a Model United Nations underscores the potential for solutions through discussion, compromise and multilateral cooperation.

The bonds created amongst the youth during these annual Peace Camps have also had long lasting effects on the participants.  The staff reported last year that they often heard of Georgian youth from Gali visiting their camp friends in Sukhumi on a regular basis and vice versa. Chechen and Abkhaz youth also continued to communicate by phone and email as they overcame their cultural differences.

Given the recent breakout of hostilities in Georgia shortly after this Peace Camp was held, we hope that the youth participants will continue to reach out to each other across ethnic divides in an effort to promote reconciliation and understanding in their communities in the years to come.