Creative Cooperation Youth Exchange

The International Center of Bethlehem was one of the five partner organizations in planning and implementing “Creative Cooperation”, which is a youth exchange project under the European Commission’s youth programs.

The project took place in Stuttgart Germany between 12^th and 22^nd December of 2003, with the participation of 30 young individuals ages 20-25 representing 5 different countries; Germany, Turkey, France, Portugal, and Palestine.

“Creative Cooperation” was designed with a focus on creativity and art expression as a common ground between the different participating cultures. Participants of different backgrounds were able to communicate and cooperate to find -through arts- common peaceful grounds to express their collective feelings and concerns.

The project was an opportunity for young individuals from 5 different countries to meet, interact, develop their creativity skills, experience other cultures, share feelings and concerns, and plant seeds for international understanding.  

Through the various workshops and through intercultural learning, “Creative Cooperation” has provided means to convey correct views of realities, promote critical thinking, produce informed leaders with broad visions, and encourage deeper understanding and active measures for peace and dialogue.