Cultures in Conflict: Journey Across the Desert 23.11.2005 Breaking The Ice is a charitable, non-profit foundation that brings peoples of different cultures and backgrounds together to “break the ice” and create an understanding of each other that transforms conflicting relationships into trust and mutual respect. As part of our mission, we initiate physically and mentally challenging expeditions or “journeys” where people of conflicting backgrounds learn to overcome their differences by having to depend on and trust one another. On January 1st 2004, four Palestinians and four Israelis broke the ice on a 35-day land and sea expedition to Antarctica. More than 550 million people around the world followed their story as they scaled an unclimbed mountain and named it for peace. On March 1st 2006, a group of men and women of different backgrounds and nationalities – Christians, Muslims and Jews – will come together on a journey across the Sahara Desert and the territories of five different countries and cultures. They will confront difficult physical and spiritual terrain and test themselves against the challenges of their surroundings and their prejudices. As with the Antarctic expedition, an international news production crew as well as a documentary filmmaking crew will accompany the team to broadcast their story to the rest of the world and make their message of understanding known. The Expedition Team The key to making the 2006 Journey across the Desert a success is the expedition team. Because of the importance of the mission and the limited number of space available, it is critical that we select each candidate personally rather than simply extending an open application. Below is summary of what Breaking the Ice is looking for in the participants of this year’s journey: 1. This is not an “adventure” trip in the usual sense of the word. We are looking for serious people who are ready to do some hard work and confront their “enemies”. 2. The mission is scheduled to begin in Jerusalem on March 1st, 2006. In preparation for this mission, a training camp will take place in the Middle East (most likely Jordan) for 1 week in late January. The participants must be willing to commit to this week of training and to 3-4 weeks for the actual journey in March. 3. The chosen team will include Muslims, Christians and Jews who will come from many different countries, which may include: the United States, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Slovenia, the Balkan states, the Ukraine and others. The main focus will be on nationals from the Middle East, but we would also like to include an American as well as participants from Eastern Europe. 4. Our mission to transform conflict into mutual understanding on a global level utilizes the media to spread our story of hope and inspire others. Therefore, we are looking for candidates who have a compelling story to tell, individuals who have been directly affected by conflict and possess an intense and dramatic background. 5. Participants must be willing to confront their enemies and themselves during a very intense 3-week journey. We will have a conflict resolution psychologist on the trip that specializes in helping people overcome their differences. However, the participants must be open to the prospect of working towards this goal. 6. We will be working on very high diplomatic levels to bypass standard visa requirements and secure entry for all participants, however, candidates should be in possession of a valid passport or travel documents. 7. Participants will be under extensive media coverage and may be requested to answer personal questions in interviews for TV, radio, newspapers, etc. Therefore, participants must understand that we cannot protect their identities. 8. After the journey, participants must also be willing to make themselves available in their home countries for interviews via phone, television and/or the Internet. 9. The journey will take place in vehicles, on camel, and on foot. Every participant must be physically capable of completing a 3-week trip through the desert. All candidates will be required to have a physical examination prior to being accepted as a final participant. 10. We also would like to recruit team members who can actively help the organization in achieving its goals. This would include people who can recommend other possible participants, people who are willing to take part in lectures and educational seminars or perhaps provide contacts that would be useful to the foundation. 11. Applicants must understand that Breaking the Ice will not pay any participant for their participation in this expedition, but all expenses for the chosen team members will be paid for with regard to flights, meals, lodging, etc. for both the training camp and the expedition. 12. Applicants must be ready to take an active role in preparation for the trip. This includes things such as getting their physical examinations done in a timely manner, filling out necessary documents, and providing requested information. 13. Selection as a participant for the Breaking the Ice journey should be considered a great honor. Participants will be viewed around the world as global ambassadors for peace.We hope that you will be able to help us in our search for great candidates and thank you for your help and support. Contact Information: Adam Rice Chief Operating Officer adam@breakingtheice.org Ulla Eisenberg Senior Director of Operations ulla@breakingtheice.org Breaking the Ice gGmbH Gotzkowskystrasse 20-21 10555 Berlin Germany Tel. +49 (0)30 460 600 14 Fax. +49 (0)30 460 600 44 << | >> |
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