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Mrs. Mubarak witnesses the closing ceremony of the Second Peace Camp

Alexandria, 9 May 2005—H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, First Lady of Egypt and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, attended the closing ceremony of the Second Peace Camp, held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, on 9 May 2005. The ceremony was also attended by H.E. Mr. Farouk Hosni, Egyptian Minister of Culture; Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; General Abdel Salam El-Mahgoub, Governor of Alexandria; and Mrs. Mary J. Eisenhower, President of the People to People International Organization.

During the ceremony, Mrs. Mubarak expressed her appreciation to those who brought the promising talents and voices of youth into the peace dialogue. She affirmed that with the rapidly changing world scene around us, there is a need to “reach out for each other to promote this lasting peace and universal human goals”, stating that this gathering is a new step in this direction. She also stressed the importance of the role played by women in promoting peace, human security, and social justice dialogues, for they are “the very gender that generates and sustains life”.

Mrs. Mubarak pointed out that “differences are not obstructive barriers”, but they are an “integral part of the richness of our common humanity, the very fabric that unites us”. She stated that, “Therein, lies a most fundamental principle and challenge of lasting peace and stability”.

In addition, she addressed the young Peace Camp participants, asserting that the past ten days they spent together are a “living proof that the cause of peace and cultural understanding is indeed attainable.” She pointed out that they could be “our peace ambassadors in spreading knowledge of the outside world to the people of the world and a reliable voice of reason and factual understanding”.

The ceremony also witnessed discussions by the members of the students in Peace Camp where they shared the experiences gained during Peace Camp and their vision towards world peace, as well as the art of peaceful negotiation and its importance in today’s global atmosphere. This was followed by the announcement of the winners of the World Quest competition and the handing out of certificates of honor to the team leaders by Mrs. Mubarak. The day’s activities also included the sending of messages of peace to peace organizations around the world by the youth.

Peace Camp is an initiative of the People to People International Organization (PTPI), a non-profit, non-political, non-religious organization, founded by the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower and currently headed by his granddaughter, Mrs. Mary J. Eisenhower. PTPI is dedicated to enhancing international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities which involve the exchange of ideas and experiences among peoples of different countries and diverse cultures. The seeds of Peace Camp were sown in 2002, in association with the Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement.

This year’s Peace Camp gathered more than 50 youth members, aged 16-19, from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and the USA, gathering in Egypt to experience and promote the ideology of negotiation through peace. This was the second Peace Camp to be held in Egypt after the tremendous success and international recognition of its predecessor in 2003.

Peace Camp II began on April 30, 2005. During its activities, which took place throughout various cities and towns in Egypt, the youth experienced community participation by putting together approximately 2500 Care Bags to be distributed to children with special needs, hospitals and schools in Egypt, Sudan, and Iraq. In addition, they visited Egypt’s children in various schools and hospitals. They also, for the second time, planted the Seeds of Peace trees in the Egyptian International Garden, symbolizing the enduring characteristic of peace.

Release of the peace balloons	Mrs. Mubarak during her speech	Peace Camp participants with Mrs. Mubarak