The non-governmental organization (NGO) Miracle Corners of the World Inc. (MCW) organized the 5th Youth leadership Retreat, which took place in New York and Vermont from 20 to 27 July 2003. The week-long gathering was part of its efforts to encourage a multicultural exchange and build connections among the youths of today. Students, NGO representatives and leaders from the Middle East, Africa and the Americas intermingled in order to assist seminars and workshops on themes regarding the protection of peace and conflict resolution.
The main reasons for gathering a multicultural youth is rooted in the organization's belief that the most efficient solutions to conflict resolution are grounded in long-term ambitions. When considering that Africa and the Middle East face the greatest challenge in overcoming conflict, MCW decided to invite youth leaders from these volatile regions to share their experience and engage into dialogue. This cultural and educational exchange enabled the youth at the meeting to gain a better understanding of ways to resolve or even prevent conflicts. As Jacqueline Murekatete, a Rwandan victim from the 1994 genocide, emphasized at one of the seminars, "ignorance is the worst of all devils".
The Youth Leadership Retreat therefore aimed at bringing together the people representing the future of today and promoted a cross-cultural dialogue between the young people of the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. The retreat's fifth consecutive success since 1999 has encouraged them to engage in similar activities in their respective communities.
The MCW mission is to work closely with community members and leaders, educational institutions, governmental agencies and not-for-profit organizations across the world to develop programmes that promote cross-cultural understanding and sustainable improvements in the education, health care and economic well-being of socio-economically disadvantaged communities. The grass-roots organization develops and assists with numerous community projects in Africa and the United States. Emphasis on community revitalization and youth empowerment highlights its goals and practices.
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