Pace of Peace project

Comment

Comment by Corey Gil-Shuster on February 26, 2010 at 11:02pm

Based on my experiences and what i have read for my thesis which is on the issue of the impact of interaction, I would say the immediate effects were encouraging (changes of opinion about the Other) but after time spent back in their own reality with the constant demonization of the Other, the effects would almost disappear. I still think it is helpful for both the individuals and for the promotion of working together because even if one of those students went back to the original beliefs about the other, it is still an experience which when tied to more and more positive experiences begins to create a web of belief that peace is possible.

Comment by Stewart Mills on February 26, 2010 at 10:55pm

Thanks Corey. It might be a good story to follow through i.e. in the spirit of "Arna's children" or Justine Shapirio and BZ Goldberg's "Promises" to see what impact the interaction had some years down the track.

http://www.promisesproject.org/

Comment by Corey Gil-Shuster on February 26, 2010 at 10:43pm

you would need to find someone who went to that high school. I know people in Ranana but they have young children. I will ask around and see if anyone knows anyone.

Comment by Stewart Mills on February 26, 2010 at 9:19pm

Thanks Corey.

What a beautiful animation. A ray of hope. I like the scene where the soldiers where transformed into a rock band (what else should 18 or 19 year olds be doing??)

I tried to check out more background to the film. The paceofpeace link seems to no longer work. The following blog gives some background:

http://www.sababiblog.com/2009/07/palestinian-and-israeli-high-schoolers.html

“This is a great coexistence project that was launched at the International Animated Film Festival. The project aims to help Palestinians and Israelis re-envision the possibility of living together in peace. Originally conceived by Davide Papini and Attilio Valenti, the two seasoned animators partnered with the Office for Peace in Jerusalem of the City of Rome, the Municipalities of Raanana (Israel), and office of Qalqilia (Palestinian Authority).

Since the project aims to help build a vision for the future, "the main protagonists of the project [were] young people, those most defenseless builders of the future and, perhaps, those least intoxicated by the poisonous fumes of reciprocal acts of war and terrorism."

Aviv Secondary School in Raanana, Israel and Al Sadia Secondary School in Qalqilia, Palestine, created the animated film “Pace of Peace”, "which portray their thoughts, hopes and expectations for the future and the cohabitation of their two nations." The film had also the artistic supervision of the most prestigious Italian authors, Giulio Gianini and Emanuele Luzzati, twice Oscar nominees.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuele_Luzzati
Emanuele Luzzati (3 June 1921 - 26 January 2007) was an Italian painter, production designer, illustrator, film director and animator.

Is anyone interested in following up with the schools to see what an impact this project had on the children involved? I tried to look up the Israeli school to but could not quickly find a web link to the school.

Thanks again Corey. I think peacemakers need to use animators more to get across the message. Rational discussion has an important place but the "war of ideas" in many ways will be won through emotional decisions we make; such as how we feel after watching how people behave in real life or through the arts (such as film).