"Peace Through Art in Washington DC"
Transforming Youth Into Peace Leaders

"A lasting victory in the war against terror depends on educating the world's children,because educated children are much more likely to embrace the values that defeat terror."

- First Lady Laura Bush (May 13, 2002)

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.

- Mahatma Gandhi

ICAF is organizing a PEACE THROUGH ART PROGRAM FOR CYPRUS from July 1 to July 20, 2002 in Washington, DC.

BACKGROUND
The Mediterranean Island of Cyprus has been dominated by diverse civilizations for more than 2,000 years and only gained true independence in 1960. Cyprus as a place of tolerance, coexistence and diversity could be a symbol of hope for the Balkans, the Middle East and beyond. If coexistence is achievable in Cyprus, the prospects for peace where conflicts are even more intractable may seem within reach.

The main objective of this program is to begin preparing Cypriot youth for mutual understanding and cooperation, so they can help lead the two communities to live side by side in an open society. The challenge is to prepare these children for the time when a political settlement is achieved and peaceful coexistence is essential. As future leaders, they must learn to respect each other's cultures and explore what they can share. Creating positive images of each other can help promote future coexistence.

METHODOLOGY
The methodology for the Peace Through Art Program has been developed in collaboration with the University of Virginia School of Medicine's Center for the Study of Mind and Human Interaction (http://hsc.virginia.edu/csmhi/), art therapists and conflict resolution experts. Based on arts learning and new research on human behavior, the methodology draws upon the creativity and imagination of young people, and teaches them the ethics of responsibility in this interdependent global village that has come to be our world. The methodology incorporates best practices from the fields of psychology, conflict resolution and peace education, while employing the power of the arts for self-expression, healing and communication.

The methodology will have universal application, including use in conflict prevention among youth groups within the United States.

For the Cyprus program, ten Greek-Cypriot and ten Turkish-Cypriot youth (ages 14 and 15), who have grown up on opposite sides of the "Green Line" dividing the island, will come together in our Nation's Capital for the three-week program. Participant selection is based on the applicant's artistic interests, and in this way the arts serve as a common interest for all in the group. The Nation's Capital is an ideal venue because the area offers participants an excellent opportunity to experience a variety of cultures and observe diversity in action. The program will underscore the leadership role of Washington, DC in peace-building efforts at this critical time when our country and the world face dangers and threats that cloud the future of all children.

• B. J. Adler, Executive Director, Alliance for Young Artists &    Writers, New York
• Maurice Apprey, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatric Medicine at    the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Associate Dean    for Diversity and senior staff of CSMHI, Charlottesville, Virginia
• Tim Bigelow, Esq. Director of Programs, ICAF, Washington, DC
• Margie Howell, Director, CSMHI, UVA Health System, University    of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
• Rocio Campos, Member, Transnational Foundation for Peace    and Future Research
• Gary De Carolis, Center For Substance Abuse Treatment,    SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,    Rockville, Maryland
• Robin Clark, Ph.D., President, Seminar on Research in Art    Education (SRAE) of the National Art Education Association    (NAEA), Minot State University, Minot, North Dakota
• Marietta Dantonio-Fryer, Professor of Art, Cheyney University    of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, Pennsylvania
• Anita Eubank, M.A., C.E.T., The Glen House Healing Center,    Sausalito, California
• Harriet Mayor Fulbright, Chairman, ICAF, Washington, DC
• Lydia Gizdavcic, Manager, Peace Through Art Program, ICAF,    Washington, DC
• Frances Hesselbein, Chairman, Peter F. Drucker Foundation,    New York
• Ashfaq Ishaq, Ph.D., Executive Director, ICAF, Washington, DC
• Judith Jenya, Ph.D., Executive Director, Global Children's    Organization, Los Angeles, California
• Ann Miller, President, Life Path Health Center, Bethesda,        Maryland
• Jackie Morfesis, Instructor, The Department of Fine Arts,    Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
• Donna Rae Smith, Founder and CEO, Bright Side, Inc., Chagrin     Falls, Ohio
  
  AWARD
  ICAF's Peace Through Art program has already been selected as a finalist for the Stockholm Challenge, a prestigious award for global best practices and innovative initiatives.
  
  

  SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
  The following organizations are supporting the program:

• American Embassy - Cyprus
• Business Council for International Understanding
• Congressional Member Organization for the Arts
• Cyprus Fulbright Commission (main financial supporter of program)
• International Networking Group of Art Therapists (ING/AT)
• U.S. Army Arts & Crafts
• U.S. Department of State
• The World Bank Art Program
• Washington, DC 2012 Olympic Coalition

  IN-KIND SUPPORT
  We are grateful to these businesses and organizations for their in-kind contributions:

• AOL Time Warner
• Apple Computer Inc.
• Atoglas
• Camlin Limited
• Chevy Chase Pavilion
• ColArt Americas, Inc.
• DC United Soccer
• Eastman Kodak Company
• ESPN Zone
• Fairfield Processing
• General Pencil Company
• Golden Artist Colors
• Jacquard Products
• Lifepath Health Center
• Neilsen-Bainbridge
• Royal & Langnickel Brush Manufacturing, Inc.
• Strathmore Artist Paper

Your Support is Critically Important

Please make a donation to ensure that we are able to extend the Peace Through Art Programs to conflict zones around the world. Write a check to "International Child Art Foundation" today and mail it to:

International Child Art Foundation
c/o Louisette Hunter
1350 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

If you would like to contribute using a credit card, please call us at (202) 530-1000. We thank you in advance for your generous support.