Tourism2030 - Olympic Truce Peace Ambassadors

Dolapo Fakuade

2018-08-17T07:32:16Z

Country: Countries of Residence – New Zealand & United States of America; Nationality – Nigerian

Hobbies: Travelling, meeting people & learning from different cultures, researching, playing badminton, managing crisis

Profession/Area of Interest: Emergency and Disaster Manager

Aim for the future: to be a world renowned emergency and disaster manager who proffers solutions and measures for increasing resilience to devastating disasters/emergencies/crisis.

Interesting fact: I’ve worked on projects and volunteered with the Police, Fire Service, Red Cross, Local authority and manage a project which involves a dozen local and international charities. As an emergency and disaster manager, I’m one of the few people who have worked with all emergency agencies providing an objective multiagency perspective to responding to disasters which drastically affect communities.

Community Project to promote peaceful coexistence: I pledge to promote the Olympic Truce and the values of the Olympics through sports and education in communities through my work and community projects in different countries. I have and will continue to encourage groups to develop projects/activities which can promote peaceful coexistence in their countries. With similar efforts, using my expertise, resources and time and working in partnership with others seek stakeholders who will ensure that the Olympic Values and Truce is widely promoted in the world through available mediums especially countries which rank low in the global peace index.

We believe peace and its sustainability is possible if we all want it and work towards it. - Dolapo

Ms Ayelet Tapiro, Israel

2018-02-08T14:32:38Z

Ayelet Tapiro, Israel

Country: Israel

Hobbies: Travelling and meeting new people, extreme sports, yoga, and hiking.

Aim for the future: To build peace between people in the world; especially between Palestinians, Jordanians and Israelis.

Profession/ Area of Interest - Community Coordinator for Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME), Working with ‘Green Net’ for sustainable education, Tour Guide in Israel.

Interesting Fact - Mother of three wonderful children, Good at air acrobatics, loving my life.

Email: ayelet.tapiro@gmail.com

Organisation: Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME), Israel

Ms. Lilach Ben-Arie, Israel

2018-02-08T14:32:38Z

I was born and grew up in Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha which is located right next to the Gaza Strip (3 km East) in the Negev desert of Israel. A Kibbutz is a communal agricultural community, and 300 of us work together to live sustainably with nature. I am 26 years old and I am studying special education. I did one year of volunteering in the civil society and 2 years of compulsory military service. As part of my military service I supported refugee youth from Eritrea and Sudan in accessing basic services while they were in detention. Later I worked for 2 years with teenagers as a social guide. Currently, I study in a college which encourages Arab and Jewish people to relate and study together to ensure that everyone has common classes.

During the last 12 years, I along with my family have had constant rocket attacks. We have all had to live in fear because every few days we are forced to hide in bomb shelters because terrorists have constantly been firing missiles at our little agricultural community of 300 people.

Peace-making dream:

I often dream of a country, Israel, where we can all sunbathe along the coast of the Gaza Strip - Jews and Israeli Arabs and Palestinians without problems of conflict. My dream is that we can eliminate all barriers to the Gaza Strip and West Bank without fear of terrorism blowing people up all over my country as has been witnessed in cafes, malls, restaurants, and buses.

I think that education will greatly help and enlighten people. We all need to be more tolerant of one another. I think if both sides really get to know what the other side thinks and respect their rights; peace would truly blossom in Israel and Palestine, and all around the world.

Ms. Napat Chaipraditkul, Thailand

2018-02-08T14:32:38Z

Napat Chaipraditkul is Research Fellow of the Eubios Ethics Institute, and a Thai citizen. She has a MA in Globalisation, Ethnicity and Culture from University of Sussex , UK, and a BA in English Literature from Mahidol University. She is currently a PhD student at National Central University, Chungli, Taiwan. Her research interests include ethical and anthropological aspects of cosmetics and aesthetics, gender, reproductive technologies, history and peace.

Ms. Natasha Sokri, Iran

2018-02-07T18:05:24Z

Once upon a time, there was a little girl in a crowded city. She had a dream of how would her city be, if there was no poor persons living in it. Every time she saw a child staring at her from the car window and begging while she was sitting in a comfortable car and sharing love with her family, she felt ashamed and blamed herself. She knew that this sad story of little street children was not her fault, but at the same time she knew that she could be that girl on the other side of the window. So if that little girl (Yes it is me) is in her comfort zone and receiving enough love and feeling secure, it means that she should do something about the children on the other side of window.

Years passed by and her dream had been lost among the hectic life of this era until one day she entered a room in a youth workshop in Penang and she saw many Youth Peace Ambassador International trainees and soon after she became one of them and she found her lost dream as well as her lost self. She turned into me. Now we all have one dream Peace and also one needs peace.

I remember those days in my neighboring country, Afghanistan, in which every second person used to die because of war and its people ran away from their country to my country of Iran to be safe. They also ran away to other countries. Many years ago in the time of ancient Greece people might have the same feeling as us today - they were fed up with war as we do and they were tired of conflicts between nations as they all knew how harmful a war can be. Therefore they came to an idea of peace building which was sport, using sport as a medium to promote peace! This is such a wonderful idea which ancient people could think of, and they implemented it so the first Olympic game was held. But millenia afterwards, in the modern era of today, we, modern and enlightened people are unable to implement the Olympic truce, why? Do we forget about all the damages a war can cause? Imagine your lovely home which you made each pieces of by love, explodes in a second just because of a lack of peace in our world.

Natasha De Silva, Sri Lanka

2018-02-08T14:32:38Z

I am 22 years old and grew up in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I graduated from Coventry University with a degree in Journalism and Media in July 2012, and currently following a Masters course in International Politics and Human Rights at City University, London.

My purpose in life is to give a voice to the voiceless and be an inspiration to people. I am passionate about Peace building and want to make a difference in the world, and aim to inspire all people to do the same.

The 25 year long Civil War in Sri Lanka may be over, but there are still many memories of pain, loss and anxiety. There are post-war conflicts still going on in the country and I came to the Olympic Truce Youth Peace Ambassador Training Workshop to help my country move past these to build a brighter future and bring about a real sense of peace to all the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Following Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy: "BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD", I believe that the smallest thing we do can make a difference is still essential to start. My dream is to see a tidal wave of goodness from 7 Billion people in the world and that is why I have decided to be a Youth Peace Ambassador.

My Peacemaking Dreams are:

 For different religious communities to respect each other for what they believe thereby creating freedom to practice and a society without religious conflict.

 No political conflicts and violence, creating true understanding between political parties, non-violent political campaigns and fair and honest elections.

 All ethnic communities will live in harmony and for ethnic minorities to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Timeline

Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) Award for Student Journalist of the Year – 2012

Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) Award for Best Radio News Documentary of the Year – 2012

(MA) International Politics and Human Rights at City University London – October 2012 – September 2013

UNESCO Olympic Truce Youth Peace Ambassador – September 2012

First Class Honours Degree in Journalism and Media (Coventry University) – July 2012

Journalism Student Subject Ambassador (Coventry University) – September 2011 – July 2012

Producer of International Coventry - March 2012- July 2012

Professional Experience at BBC Coventry & Warwickshire (March 2011- April 2011)

Editor of CU Today (September 2010 – April 2011)

Editor of the weekly newsletter for the Media and Communications department of Coventry University (Jan 2010- June 2010)

Reham Al-Momani, Jordan

2015-11-29T08:59:16Z

Reham Al-Momani, Jordan

Nickname: Rahoom

Country: Jordan

Hobbies: Travelling, eating chocolate and working with kids

Aim for the future: To finish my postgraduate program in Europe

Profession/ Area of Interest: Assistant Coordinator on Green Economy Initiative for

FOEME. But also interested in international NGOs and social working

Interesting fact: very helpful and is a fun person to be around

Community Project to promote peaceful coexistence: I work at Friends Of Earth Middle East (FOEME) as an assistant coordinator on Green Economy Initiative Project funded By USAID. The main objective of this project is contribute to peace-building by advancing cross-border cooperation between businesses and local communities and their leaderships; and demonstrating that local, national and regional efforts to protect shared environmental resources produce concrete benefits, such as contributing to economic growth. As a youth in the global village, I long for and hope to work with other youths and stakeholders from all over the world with similar objectives to promote peaceful coexistence locally, nationally and internationally.

Email: Reham_almomani@yahoo.com

Organisation: Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME), Jordan

Rimesh Khanal, Nepal

2018-02-07T18:05:25Z

Rimesh Khanal, Nepal

Country: Nepal

Hobbies: Playing Cricket, Swimming, Sleeping, Eating

Aim for the future: To be a good Son, brother, friend, husband, father and grandfather too

Profession/ Area of Interest: Developing Community Project, Volunteering, Consulting or advocating Youth Problems

Interesting fact: Each and every important work or efforts of mine are started or completed on a “Tuesday” in addition to this, I was born was also a “Tuesday”.

Community Project to promote peaceful coexistence: As President of Youth's UNESCO Club I’ve worked on several projects and community activities to empower youths, support community and work in collaboration with government in Nepal to support youth initiatives at the grassroots. Through some of our initiatives at the Youth UNESCO Club in Nepal, we’ve partnered with American University of Sovereign Nations to deliver an international youth peace ambassador forum. National projects in partnership with Resilespur Community Forum, Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC), Ministry of Youth in Nepal and other stakeholders include “Celebration of Olympism”; an international forum which will contribute to promoting importance of Peace, Sports and education in our society in July 2014. My experience span from promoting UNESCO youth and development activities in Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and other Asian countries. In 2013, I led the UNESCO club in Nepal to be member of the international Peace Bureau Switzerland.

Email: rimesh909@gmail.com

Organisation: Youth UNESCO Club, Nepal

Victor Mutanga, South Africa

2018-02-07T18:05:26Z

BIOGRAPHY OF VICTOR MUTANGA- Olympic Truce Youth Peace Ambassador

Victor Mutanga was born Victor Muntanga on the 13th of May 1986 in Victoria Falls, an academically and economically sleepy but culturally diverse border town located on the Zambezi basin. He is the last-born son of the late Cde. Andrew Sikajaya Muntanga, a former ZIPRA cadre and nationalist, the first national hero from this politically neglected part of the country. A liberation war hero, gallant fighter and revolutionalist who quit priesthood to pioneer politics amongst the marginalized Tonga people. Behind the successes and prominence of this highly esteemed personality is the wisdom and love of the woman whose simplicity can easily be taken for granted as her pearls of goodness are enveloped by the graceful routine of a normal housewife ;Victor’s mother Regina Muzamba.

When he grew up Victor was a free spirited young man who had his own self-expression and would go to any length to manifest his uniqueness. It is unfortunate that the conventional schooling system could not foster and harness his special talents and he graduated with average grades and a reservoir of undiscovered potential. A chip off the old block, Victor is a resilient and self-motivated young man who is very passionate about development, that of himself and of his peers.

Between 1992-1999, He attended primary school at Chinotimba Primary School, the oldest and most traditional school in the township .The schools are overpopulated with miserable teacher-student ratios of close to 1:40.In addition to political sabotage ,tribal segregation and poverty means that pupils in such unfortunate circumstances need more than the grace of God if ever they are to live a normal life in a society that deprives them of basic human rights .They need a strong role model to rise up among them and show them that it is possible .In spite of the Mighty Victoria Falls whose tourist facilities are an out of reach leisure that is too expensive for the locals to enjoy, there is little entertainment and close to zero life opportunities for young people who grow up in the streets of Chinotimba. The little attention by teachers whose teaching techniques are too obsolete for the changing needs of today’s youth mean that many young people graduate with little prospect of making it life. Hence the great migration by young Zimbabweans to South Africa in search of a favorable economic system that can present them with more fulfilling life opportunities.

He graduated in 1999 to begin form 1 at Mosi-Oa-Tunya secondary school, the only secondary school in the town. He later transferred to Northlea High School in Bulawayo; the second Economic capital, to gain some exposure and an experience of life in a big city for the first time. Then he transferred to Binga High school where he was again immersed deep in the heart of the BaTonga civilization (District of origin).Tonga is Victor’s mother language spoken by the minority tribe that lives along the Zambezi River on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border. In Zimbabwe these people are living in a region that is politically suppressed and struggling at the bottom of the economic heap. Paradoxically , these people adapt to their hostile environment in an amazing way .They speak , in addition to Tonga, Nambya and Nyanja , Shona , Ndebele and English. They are exposed to a multiplicity of cultures and are at home with ethnic diversity. Victor is one such person .He is a linguist, is streetwise in the real sense of the word and is thus socially intelligent .This background has equipped him with the personality traits that make him adaptive to any social make up no matter how hostile conditions on the ground may be.

His brother Martin introduced him to Basketball because of his interest in the sport .He played for the Victoria Falls Panthers who groomed his talent and skill in the discipline and paved a way for bigger opportunities .He was selected to be coach-cum-player for Mosi-Oa-Tunya and represented his school at the Matabeleland North Province 2003-6, subsequently representing the junior team at the National Youth Games in 2004. Victor was selected into the Zimbabwe under 18 National Team in the same year (2004) and was offered the opportunity to attend World Wide Scholarship camp as a prospect (Harare 2004). As his career path progressed he signed a contract with SMWW Sports Agency in 2004. He also played for a Bulawayo based Zimbabwe’s all time second best League team Highlanders Basketball Club in 2005 (Semi Professional). He also represented the Bulawayo Polytechnic College at the College games in Harare (as the non-student – the coach liked his skill and height). When the basketball season was over, Victor found it fit to go to his hometown to give back what he had learnt. He taught these skills through Basketball to students from Mosi-Oa-Tunya High School. The sports department at the school assigned him to coach their players in preparation for the National Youth Games and three of his players made it into the Provincial Team.

Victor began to search for more challenging opportunities and he went to Livingstone (Zambia) where he played for Busiku Basketball Club. In the year 2007 he played for the Francistown Flames Club in Botswana where he taught life skills and organized youth events. He followed his girlfriend to South Africa in February 2008 staying in Nomzamo, Strand in the Western Cape. He was a victim of the xenophobic attacks of South Africans on foreign nationals in 2008 and stayed at a refugee camp for a month – this was an eye opener, it is tough living in a Foreign Country. This was the third foreign country that Victor lived in and all the while it was not an easy thing to be a foreigner .It was a training ground for leadership. The love for development and Basketball kept him alive.

He started working as a telesales executive for an IT company to make ends meet. He went for trials the same year for the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Men’s Team playing under the leadership of Coach Thierry Kita (Guest Coach for the Boston Celtics in the NBA), an Ambassador of the Ubuntu Principles and made it into the team. Regularly he volunteered at Hoops for Hope, an NGO which promotes sport as a vehicle for social and personal developments and also empowering children to become leaders with their communities and the World. Victor got a shoulder injury during the second game of the Western Cape Basketball Championship playing for the CPUT .They later won the championship. The injury came as an eye opener and it made him discover his other capabilities that will help him change other people’s lives. He worked himself up the ladder in the advertising industry, where he sells advertising space and sponsorships for business-to-business magazines, working on the following magazines; African Decisions, Pan African Parliament’s One Africa, One voice.

Victor was nominated to represent South Africa and Zimbabwe at the UNESCO Olympic Youth Peace Ambassadors Training and Assistance Programme. The programme brought together youth from all around the world including conflict zones and areas suffering violence everyday to the London Olympics to highlight the 6 weeks of Global Truce that has been historically backed by all UN member countries to run from 25th July to 9th September 2012. Whilst in the UK the youth underwent a profound 10 day workshop programme training them as UNESCO Olympic youth peace ambassadors. After the Olympics they will continue the work of peace-making in their home communities and around the world in UNESCOs Youth Peace Ambassador Network, providing a lasting Olympic legacy of a global youth peace network continuing to live the Olympic Truce.

His aspiration and passion to influence change on the African continent recently gave birth to “Afro Global Youth Exchange” a Pan African, youth-focused organization that will specialize in providing inter-cultural exchange programs for young social entrepreneurs and sports community leaders from Africa’s conflict areas. The organization’s goal is to foster a commitment to young people that will promote regional sovereignty, social consciousness, pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills, and reassert a sense of hope in the future.