Theme: Together On Our Way…
The Theme for ARK III is “Together On Our Way…”. We captured timely topics that address the most pressing issues that face the future of the Palestinian young people, as well as the Guatemalan and American youth. It is their hope for peace keeping in their lifetime.
ARK III was held on August 8-22, 2005, in Bethlehem, Palestine. It was most challenging for the participants of ARK. The continuing crisis in Bethlehem has left a city that has been seriously wounded by the ongoing conflict in the region. Rubble from the siege of Bethlehem that began in the morning of April 2, 2002, is still visible along the roads and land. A wall that twists and turns around and throughout this ancient, historical and sacred city continues to threaten and isolate those whose homeland this has been for generations.
The Palestinian participants in ARK were all born here. Their family roots can be traced back for generations. They have known the terror of tanks shelling their homes, with friends and family members being killed, and days, weeks, and months of the frustration of curfew. They know the unrelenting threat of violence and the frustrated attempts of peace making and peace keeping. It is their life story. But they have been influenced by the core principles of ARK. In January 2005, they gathered to set the theme and topics for ARK III. They began by sharing their hopes and dreams that:
- people will know us as beautiful, good and peace-loving people
- we will plant the flag of peace all around our city
- we will learn to make our enemies our friends
- we will learn to build bridges and not walls
- we will develop our road map to peace
Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church of Bethlehem, local coordinator for ARK III, captures this hope as he states, “Our only hopeful vision is to go out today into our garden, into our society, and plant olive trees. If we don’t plan any trees today, there will be nothing tomorrow. But if we plant a tree today, there will be shade for the children to play in, there will be oil to heal the wounds, and there will be olive branches to wave when peace arrives.”
Judy Maghakian, Founder and Director of ARK, states, “This is exactly what ARK is about. Planting the seeds of peace. Seeds that are already taking root in communities around the world.”
