August 15th, 2006
URI Global Youth CC Retreat in Cyprus
Thirty young adults (ages 16 to 30), group leaders, and local elders and religious leaders participated from Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Lithuania, Tunisia, United Kingdom, USA and Cyprus. URI is grateful to the Kalliopeia Education Foundation and the European Med Youth Foundation for their financial support.
Highlights from the organizers’ viewpoint were:
Just to see and meet all of the people who were brought together by synchronicity was one highlight. The interfaith tree-planting ceremony was also a highlight – having everyone standing around the tree, reading prayers from the different faiths, knowing that these 3 little trees (oaks – which are known for their strength and endurance) would always be in Kritou Terra to greet us when we come back, this was very moving and beautiful.
The beach clean-up was also a highlight – especially in receiving feedback afterwards from some participants I realized that through this mindful process of picking up trash for about an hour and a half, people were really beginning to think differently about their own habits and the responsibility they feel to look after their natural environment.
Meeting with the villagers and religious leaders we saw how open they were to listening and sharing with the young people. All wanted to hear each other’s opinions and perspectives. I think this two-way, inter-generational exchange was a really healing bridge for both sides.
Finally Takis, the cooperative owner in the village, spoke about the 4 keys to a strong and healthy community – 1) love and respect, 2) open communication, 3) keeping things clean and tidy, and 4) having a strong connection with the natural environment. In a way, these 4 keys summed up the main themes of the conference and what we were trying to accomplish with each other.