Archive 2002 Theme 2002
In 2002, 40 participants from Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia (Tatarstan) and the US were invited to Switzerland. The annual theme was: “The Swiss democratic system and its federalism”. The group comprised of journalists facing censorship in their countries, teachers promoting peace in the US, and Afghanis working in the Ministry for Women’s Affairs. The participants met members of the Swiss Government, Swiss authorities at all levels (Community, Cantonal and Federal), and prominent personalities of various institutions; and took part in workshops and public podium discussions.
Following the two-week program, through the contacts made and the ideas they developed, a group of participants started “Babushka”, a Swiss-Russian project that aims to help elderly women in Russia. A group of Americans and Afghanis also organized a follow-up project to promote computer literacy in Afghanistan and foreign culture exchange program in the US.
Program 2002
The twelve-day visit to Switzerland began on August 15th with participation in a three-day seminar on "People's security in a changing world" with ex-ICRC President Cornelio Somaruga. This was followed by visits to every region of the country and discussions with young people representing various institutions of Swiss democracy (town and city authorities, the Youth Parliament etc.). The 40 guests and attendants traveled by buses and trains throughout Switzerland. Following the tour, the, the participants made a three day visit to the Swiss National Exhibition "Expo.02", where the focus was on future outlook. In addition, public discussions were held on the Arteplage in Murten; here the Afghan participants explained the situation in their country. The People's Peace Festival in Davos concluded the visit and the participants departed on August 26th.
Participants 2002
The following young leaders (click on the countries) from four countries in conflict participated in the program:
Sponsors and partners, 2002
The following sponsors and partners supported exCHANGE FOR PEACE::
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
Presence Switzerland (PRS)
Initiatives of Change, Caux
Berner Zeitung (Media Patron), Berne
The Bernese Cantonal Education Dept.
Loeb AG, Berne
Migros Cooperative Aare South region, Schönbühl
Ernst & Young, Berne
Ass. Citizens of Berne
Union Bank of Switzerland UBS AG, Berne
Ellen Ringier
Valser Mineralquellen AG
Die Schweizerische Post
Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB
Openair Verein Gampel
Schifffahrt BLS Thuner- und Brienzersee
Victoria Jungfrau, Grand Hotel & Spa
Disetronic Services AG
Berner Kantonalbank
Swisscom AG
Marti Reisen AG
COOP Region Bern
Expo.02
Restaurant LirumLarum
Rado Uhren AG
Stadtpräsidium Bern
Stadt Thun
Stadtpräsidium Biel
Stadt Baden
Pfadi Hochwacht Baden
Swisspeace – Schweizerische Friedensstiftung
Stiftung "In the Spirit of Davos"
Kanton Graubünden
Davos Tourismus
Gemeinde Davos
Parsenn Bahnen
Verenahof AG, Baden
Regionale Verkehrsbetriebe Baden-Wettingen
Familie Jalal, Zürich
Hans Tschirren, Confiseur, Bern
Thomas Burgener, Staatsrat des Kantons Wallis
Special Thanks to the team:
Hannes Streif
Roland Bischofberger
Arjeta Qerreti
Eva Maria Thür
Samuel Brändle
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