| This qualitative case study describes an exemplary program in international peace education through the eyes of ten adolescent American women from diverse cultural backgrounds. In July 2000, Building Bridges for Peace brought 38 high school age women (Palestinian, Israeli, and Palestinian Israeli) to the United States for a program designed to help them develop the skills to become peacebuilders in their home communities. They were joined by ten Americans selected from schools in the Denver, Colorado area. The program lasted three weeks, with two weeks at a summer camp in southwestern Colorado and activities at the beginning and end of the program in Denver.;The focus of the study was the curriculum of the program and its effects on the ten American participants. In addition to describing the process of peacebuilding at camp, the research focused on three areas of possible change in the American participants: (a) their perceptions of their own self-growth; (b) changes in their perceptions of their cultural identity; and (c) changes in their perceptions of the Palestinians and Israelis.;The researcher spent three weeks shadowing the American participants and observing program activities. Three data collection procedures were used---observation, analysis of participants' journals, and focus group interviews. A descriptive narrative was constructed using themes derived from data analysis and excerpts from the participants' journals and interviews. A ten-step process of peacebuilding incorporating these themes forms the framework of the descriptive narrative.;The Americans, as a third party to the conflict, played an important role in the peacebuilding process at camp by mediating, providing emotional support, and drawing cross-cultural comparisons. They formed close relationships with the Middle Eastern participants and demonstrated the ability to empathize with various sides of the conflict. The intercultural context provided opportunities for reflection on personal and cultural identity issues. Most of the Americans reported that the greatest change they saw as a result of their camp experience was their sense of empowerment. Not only were they more involved in issues related to the Middle East, but they had the confidence to attempt new activities and positions of leadership within their communities. |
