CAFOD young campaigners inspired by international workshop in Lebanon

The group in Lebanon

Source: CAFOD

A group of CAFOD volunteers have been inspired by an international workshop in Lebanon which aimed to nourish a greater understanding between cultures and aid dialogue between these different cultures. The International Youth Exchange was hosted by Caritas Lebanon between 31 August - 11 September 2019 in Koura, North Lebanon, and included participants from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordon, Palestine, Syria, Germany and Italy.

Campaigners Anna O'Leary, Efua Pokoo, both 19, and Joshua Nichol, 20, travelled to the workshop in Lebanon where they met with other young campaigners from the Middle East and Europe. During the workshop, they took part in sessions where they shared what they had been doing in their local communities - which included campaigning on issues like climate change - and practical sessions where they learned new skills in how to influence and campaign in their local communities.

On her experiences, Efua said: "I've made friends I will keep for a lifetime from all walks of life all joined by a common shared interest. This trip definitely pushed my boundaries and comfort zone but I'm better for having done it."

Joshua said: "The camp was an incredible and life-changing experience; to see how social entrepreneurship can be used to help improve lives was really eye-opening. One family we visited had been through a very tough time because of the winter snow. Their house was almost going to cave in because of the damp. But the Caritas Lebanon worker we were with was so proactive, sending people to sort it out the week after we left. There are no words that can describe the positive influence that Caritas Lebanon - and young Lebanese campaigners - bring to their local communities."

The group now hopes to organise events in their local communities and implement what they learned at the workshop to get other young people involved in campaigning and volunteering. Anna concluded: "The workshop allowed me to gain a full appreciation for the situations people are living in as well as the amazing, innovative work done by Caritas Lebanon youth."

Link: cafod.org.uk/Education