A three-year initiative that the Focolare Movement in the Holy Land launched on 25 October. At the theatre of the Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem: the ‘Together We Connect’ project, a new ray of hope in light of the challenges facing the region. The project brings together five schools in Jerusalem and Bethlehem to build bridges between students, promote common human values, cultivate peace and train young people as leaders for active citizenship.

In this context, Tamer Zakkak, project coordinator of “Together We Connect”, says that one of the most important topics we will be working on is self-understanding and self-esteem. Personal development, peer education and intergenerational dialogue: We are looking for new leaders for a more aware generation. In small steps, like a drop, but we would like to start with something. And we hope that this drop will expand to reach more generations in the future, and broaden the vision of the project through these students.

Marco Di Salvo, the Focolare Movement of the Holy Land, says, “We would like to make a difference together! Because we know that we cannot do it alone. We focus on different values, which young people can initiate in their own environment, to be agents of change, to spread a culture of care, fraternity and solidarity in the places where they live. The Focolare Movement is developing this program in collaboration with the association Children Without Borders - Bethlehem, the Permanent Conference of Historic Cities of the Mediterranean, the Institute for Mediterranean Studies and Programs and the New Humanity Foundation. The aim is to offer students an experience that enhances their participation in society, promoting responsibility, respect for differences, teamwork and mutual support.”

 Br. George Haddad, ofm, director of Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem, says with the arrival of the Franciscan friars in the Holy Land some 800 years ago, their goal was to preserve not only the shrines, but also the ‘living stones’, that is, every human being. Today, more than 400 years after the foundation of our institute, the Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem, we continue this mission. We work with our children and young people, to help them grow so that they can truly be the future to be proud of. We are happy to join the project of the Focolare Movement in the Holy Land, with the intention that this initiative may become the seed for a prosperous future, rich in goodness and peace, as St. Francis of Assisi taught us.

 On the other hand, Eva Azar--executive administrator of the office of education and instruction of the Lutheran Schools, says, “We believe in young people and their ability to change with love and peace and to build bridges, not walls and barriers, and I believe that this beginning will build a great bridge and give light to young people and children who will in turn extend it to others, young people and adults. ‘Together We Connect’ represents a commitment to a future built by our young people, based on the values of peace and solidarity. The goal is to continue together to fan the flame of hope and change.