| |
“I have done many memorable things in my life, but this has been one of the most important things I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of.” From the Foreword by David Bedford, Director, Flora London Marathon
"I have been consistently encouraged by the work of Conflict
Prevention through sport by Geoffrey Whitfield and his colleagues.
Their successful work in Israel with Arab and Jewish young people
has been the result of both vision and sustained hard work. The
story will encourage and activate everyone interested and involved
in peace work." Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus
“There's much talk about conflict resolution; less about
conflict prevention, and even then, it tends to be in the rarefied
realms of conferences and consultations. Other than the fact it
is a good read, there are three reasons why this book is important.
It deals with conflict resolution at ground level; it involves
the generations whose futures are in the melting , and it's about
sport - which is not just fun, but is where you people learn about
justice, fair play, obeying the rules and team work.” Former
Head of Religious Broadcasting, BBC Northern Ireland
“The shared vision – democratic, passionate, and rife with
difficulties and pitfalls – is an expression of religion
as passionate action. Imagine, if you can, the glorious incongruity
of Arab and Jewish boys and girls playing soccer in Bethlehem
or Nazareth, or in the shadow of the Sermon on the Mount. Downright
inspiring.” Ron David, author of Arabs & Israel
for Beginners
“ The book reads more like a suspense novel as Geoffrey
documents the birth and growth of WSPP, the impossible made possible
by the involvement of people who ‘have a scale of mind and
heart beyond the ordinary’. Football (soccer) is a powerful
metaphor for learning to trust, having confidence in each other,
and working together toward a common goal . . . behaviors which
continue to be all too elusive on a global scale.” J.
Clayton Schroeder, bookseller and freelance writer, Portsmouth,
NH, USA
The World Sports Peace Project brought together Israeli
nd Arab youngsters and adults from towns in Israel, staff and
students from four English universities, Premier League clubs,
most notably Arsenal, the British Embassy and the British Council
in Israel, the Israel Sports Authority, and runners in the Flora
London Marathon. It became a pointer to more creative ways for
community relations in divided societies.
Who is this book intended for? For those wanting to read about Arab and Jewish youngsters playing football together; for those interested in conflict prevention and peace-making; and for those wanting to run such a project in other political climes. Over three years, a successful Football/Conflict Prevention Project took place on an annual basis, close to Nazareth. Those who took part will be able to tell their children and grandchildren of the time when Jews and Arab-Christians and Arab-Moslems played in mixed teams against mixed teams. Their team could only win when they learned to work together, when trust and confidence in each other overrode political antagonisms. With such a model, the future of peoples in other strife-torn communities could move forward to hope, and not backward to despair.
 |
| |
List of Contents to follow |
Publication Details
| |
ISBN: |
|
978-1-89859-548-9 p/b |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Page Extent / Format: |
|
192 pp. / 229 x 152 mm |
| |
Release Date: |
|
September 2006 |
| |
Illustrated: |
|
Yes |
| |
Paperback Price: |
|
£14.95 / $25.00 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|

|