by Dagan Ben-Zvi
In the midst of the ongoing war, a remarkable event took place at the end of September, bringing together Israelis and Palestinians in pursuit of a common goal: environmental peacebuilding. The Media Sprint, a component of the Harvesting Cooperation Through Environmental Action initiative funded by USAID, gathered 28 young participants from diverse backgrounds for a three-day workshop aimed at raising awareness about cross-border environmental and humanitarian work through joint media action.
Organized by the Arava Institute in partnership with the Palestinian organization Damour for Community Development, the Sprint created a safe space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration. Despite initial tensions, participants quickly found common ground, sharing personal stories and experiences that set a tone of empathy and mutual understanding.
The workshop offered a mix of presentations and hands-on activities:
- insights into Track II diplomacy cross-border environmental work
- introduction to the “Jumpstarting Hope in Gaza” project
- discussions on the impact of media on peacebuilding and environmental issues
- master classes in social media content creation and strategy
One of the most impactful activities was the “Screenshots from the Future” workshop, which encouraged participants to envision a more positive future through creative exercises.
The Media Sprint’s success lies not only in the skills and knowledge shared, but also in the connections forged between participants. As one attendee noted, the event left participants with “an electric feeling of hope” – a crucial outcome in these challenging times.
Looking ahead, the newly formed Media taskforce will work to amplify the message of environmental cooperation as a bridge to peace. While the full impact of this initiative will unfold in the coming months, the Media Sprint has already sown seeds of collaboration and understanding that promise to bear fruit in the future.
This gathering stands as a testament to the power of dialogue and shared purpose in overcoming barriers and building a more sustainable, peaceful future for all.
