They joined Prince Feisal Al-Hussein, the founder and chairman of Generations for Peace, and Princess Sarah Al-Feisal, the chief executive, at a special ceremony to mark the occasion.

They were joined by Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, where the achievements of the 57 delegates were honoured. 

"It is a proud day for every one of our 57 delegates," said Prince Feisal.

"With the knowledge and skills they have acquired at Sochi Camp 2010 they will be able to offer young people in conflict a clear path out of the tangled maze towards reconciliation and, eventually, to peace.

"From Sochi, these fine young leaders will go on to empower other leaders of youth back home by speaking with a voice that articulates their passion for peace.

"Sochi Camp 2010 is the beginning of a long and difficult journey ahead together, but these delegates now have the tools to go out and build a sustainable peace.

"Thanks to the amazing collaboration between Sochi 2014 and Generations For Peace, and having seen the passion and commitment of our delegates, I am convinced now more than ever that there will soon be positive and sustainable change in their local communities."

Delegates from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, the FYR Macedonia, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine have embarked on the Generations For Peace Pioneer Certification Programme.

They have received training in the five modules which comprise the Generations For Peace curriculum: Sport and Peace; Peace Building; Working with Children and Youth; Train the Trainers; and Advocacy and Partnerships.

"It is more than symbolic that this first ever Generations for Peace camp in Europe has been staged here, the host city of the next Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Chernyshenko.

"Generations For Peace and Sochi 2014 are united by the values and ideals of the Olympic Movement.

"Together we are striving towards peace, unity and universal understanding.  We share a total commitment to the fundamental principles of mutual respect and fair play.

"Sochi is proud to be the first Olympic host city to have established a partnership with a world-recognised peace through sport organisation.

"We are also very proud that Sochi 2014 staff and volunteers have worked so closely with Generations For Peace staff and delegates.

"You have helped us to learn some valuable lessons as we prepare to welcome the world in 2014.

"We hope that you too have learnt a little from us."

The camp was the seventh since the pilot was launched in 2007 but the first to be held outside the Middle East.

"After Sochi Camp 2010, the number of first generation delegates professionally trained at Generations For Peace camps has now reached 526, from a total of 46 different countries and territories," said Princess Sarah (pictured).

"Many of these delegates have become certified Generations For Peace Pioneers who have gone on to train a further 3,100 second generation delegates and pioneers.

"Put all this together, and 51,000 children in conflict regions around the world have been brought together by Generations For Peace, all through the power of sport.

"It will take these delegates here around one year to become Certified Generations For Peace Pioneers.

"So for them, and for us, the real work is just beginning.

"But I am positive that these talented, passionate, courageous young men and women will succeed; that’s why we chose them."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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