Project COMMON BOND Winter Session 2020
This January, we welcomed participants from 7 nations – Canada, Republic of Congo, Israel, Northern Ireland, Norway, Sudan and the U.S. – to the winter 2020 Session of Project COMMON BOND in Washington, D.C. While everyone came from different backgrounds, they all shared one tragic commonality: loss of a family member due to terrorism, military service or mass violence.
At Project COMMON BOND, participants learned that there are others who identify with their pain, and that hope and resilience is possible. When the buses arrived, planes landed and cars shifted into park, it was time to begin the process of healing through community and leadership development.
The tougher moments, such as dignity sessions led by trained clinicians, were balanced out by lighter group activities like sports and art. Together, these activities led to the creation of lifelong friendships and the enrichment of cross-cultural exchange.
It’s wonderful knowing that these young people will return home empowered to be peace-builders and agents of change. The statistics show that Project COMMON BOND motivates participants to advocate for peace and dignity, but seeing truly is believing.
All of us at Tuesday’s Children are proud and honored to call these individuals members of our community, and look forward to the bright futures that await them. Terrorism, violent extremism and war may be powerful forces, but peace, dignity and friendships can prevail.
CLICK HERE to read our official Project COMMON BOND winter 2020 recap.
