The SMWIPM launched the second phase of its “Peace Journey” program in the Matareya district of Cairo, Egypt, from 19-21 July 2009.

  The main objective of this program is to promote peace building values and principles amongst young people through an interactive – participatory - and peer to peer learning environment. Over the course of the initiative, young students are empowered with the skills that can enable them to understand themselves and appreciate others, to resolve conflicts between themselves, in their families and communities. Through this program, young people start to view peace as more than an abstract term or a state-related definition, but as a channel to protect human rights and enhance people’s well-being.

The “Peace Journey” program was implemented in 10 schools, which had previously participated in the program last January. All schools where asked to invite 50 new students to attend the movement’s workshops run by its trained youth members and school teachers. In addition to the activities of the Culture of Peace Manual, the Movement assigned one of the participating schools with the challenging task of creating a grand-scale “Peace Mural”. In an effort to achieve this, artist Elhamy Naguib– Founder of Graffiti Cairo and long-time friend of the Movement – organized daily sessions to enable young students to express their “vision for peace” through art.

The SMWIPM would like to extend its appreciation to Mansour Group, its main sponsor for the Matareya program, as well as the Egyptian Ministry of Environment for its kind support.