BOSNIAN-INITIATIVE and COMMITTEE FOR BASIC RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY

Alexanderstr. 37, D-60489 Frankfurt

Aquinostr. 7-11, D-50670 Köln

Helga Dieter, Flussgasse 8, D-60489 Frankfurt,
P.# 49-69-7892525, F # 49 69 78803666, ubihedi@t-online.de 

The Vacation from War Campaign, Summer 2004

Steps toward the concrete utopia of a peaceful world 
with examples of the Balkan wars and the Middle East

Dear Benefactors and Friends,

30th March 2004

As in the past ten years we are planning summer camps for children and youngsters from the war-areas in the Balkans. The situation in Bosnia still is very delicate in spite of the UN-administration for eight years, because more and more people are starving, especially since the helpers' caravan moved on to the new war areas. Many people lost their hope for a new and better society. Last month the situation in Kosovo escalated again: the UN troops lost control and couldn't protect the enclaves. Many people died from bullets. 
In this situation the humanitarian care and the peace dialogue have invaluable significance.
To come to know one other in an atmosphere full of empathy and joy may help to heal the deep psychological and physical wounds and to overcome prejudices. Young people who are moved by this experience will tell their families and friends what happened to them.
However the political situation develops in the next months, we hope that again we'll succeed in organizing eleven camps in Croatia and Macedonia for nearly 1200 children and young people.
The "Committee for Basic Rights and Democracy" also plans encounters for ca. 150 young people (in four groups) from Israel and Palestine. This is an unique project. Last summer the participants described in a letter to the donors the difficult process they had to go through during the seminars. (See the report we sent to you in November, 2003).

Additionally there are planned "Vacation-Games" in some Palestinian cities and refugee camps, even those who have to live under closure and curfew for a time.

Two years ago in one group the children created a peace appeal addressed to the adults on both sides in order to stop fighting. We translated this 'mission' in several languages, and since last summer we discussed this peace appeal for children in crisis areas and war zones in the summer camps. To spread this appeal is the first active political step for most of the participants. 

We sincerely request your help for "Vacations from War" which continues its humanitarian aid and reconciliation of former enemies.

Helga Dieter

Pfrn.Elke Klee

Dr. Peter Gärtner

Courage against Racism
Committee for Basic Rights

Parish-Cyriakus

Peace-Initiative

A full sponsorship is $130, but we appreciate any amount. There are also collections of money from friends, at celebrations, at charity events, etc.
If you want to support the campaign "Vacations from War" please make out a check to "Bosnian Initiative" and send it to Katha Pollitt, c/o The Nation, 33 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003
or to: Bosnian-Init. c/o Cyriakusgemeinde, Alexanderstr. 37, D-60489 Frankfurt
Bank Account: Nr. 4109767 bei Evang.Kreditgenossenschaft. Zip: 500 60500