Encompass 7th Journey of Understanding

Click on photo below to see the Album;

ENCOMPASS has just returned from our 7th Journey of Understanding programme! The Journey took 24 young people from Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Indonesia, the UK and the US to the Outward Bound® centre in Aberdovey.

The 7th Journey of Understanding commenced with an emotional (and very cold!) gathering of all participants at the Bali Memorial in London, where the Braden family welcomed the group and explained the significance of their being there and what they hoped this programme would help them to achieve, before wishing them a safe onward journey to Wales. This event, the first of many to come, succeeded in putting the whole Journey into context, and the participants set off thoughtful, excited and full of expectations about what this week would hold for them.

And so it was off on the long bus journey to Aberdovey, with a quick stop for a meal, an introductory discussion and a few winks of sleep (some more than others!), finally arriving at our destination at 5am! Welcomed bright and early by the Outward Bound® staff, the participants ventured out of the warm bus into the darkness of the Welsh early-morning countryside and made for their beds, eager to catch as much sleep as possible before the programme commenced for real at midday.

The participants arrived from Indonesia, Israel, Palestine, the US and the UK with many different reasons for wanting to take part in the programme:

“..to gain a better understanding of the world today, to challenge myself mentally, physically and emotionally”

“..to push myself to become a better human by expanding my knowledge of other people”

“I wanted to challenge my stereotypes and learn new skills and information”

The first day at Aberdovey was designed to help the participants to get to know one another. Scaling the challenge wall and guiding each other through a spider’s web of ropes were just some of the team-building exercises the Outward Bound staff used to introduce trust relationships into the group, as they were forced to work together to achieve their goals.

The evening session kicked off with discussions about different cultural, religious, national, regional and family traditions, set in motion by our experienced facilitator, Snezana Baclija. This was followed by some very entertaining dancing, incorporating all types of styles, and a group discussion about finding similarities between even the most disparate of individuals. While this exercise was light-hearted and fun, the dynamic of the group took a sudden turn following the next evening’s discussion where participants talked about the events in their lives most significant and meaningful to them. The sombre mood in the conference hall represented the realisation of the participants that their perceptions of the others in the group were changing, and this set a new tone for the rest of the week.

Just as the participants were challenged physically by day, they faced mental and emotional challenges by night. Whether confronted with a rock face some never thought they could climb, or tackling issues that questioned their opinions and beliefs, over the course of the week this group of 24 strangers formed bonds and built bridges with people they might never have otherwise met. The remaining days saw them building rafts, sailing a boat, getting to grips with Jacob’s Ladder and braving the Welsh winds on a hill walk, while in the evenings the discussions focused on identity, conflict, stereotypes as well as debates on whether there would be no conflicts without borders and whether one’s country’s army acts in one’s name.

When the group returned to London on Sunday 24th, the national groups that had stuck so closely together on the ride to Wales just one week before were dispersed throughout the coach, with Indonesians and Americans, Brits and Palestinians, and Palestinians and Israelis talking together.

The following day held an exciting programme of London-based activities, made possible by the partnership between Encompass and Westminster Metropolitan Police, which saw the group stand up and talk about their experiences at a number of different London schools, take a ride in a big yellow duck around the city (and even into the River Thames itself!) and taking in the sights and the sounds of the capital. However, the highlight of the day was certainly the surprise appearance of Prime Minister Gordon Brown who came out to greet the Encompass group on his doorstep at No. 10! This was all followed by a meal and an inter-cultural night at New Scotland Yard, which saw each national group present a variety of traditional singing, dancing, acting and everything else that can be imagined!

The Closing Ceremony of the 7th Journey of Understanding was held at Lord’s Cricket Ground with emotional and awe-inspiring speeches from the participants and the Braden family. Encompass was delighted to welcome its partners, Syracuse University, Outward Bound (with a special appearance from one of the Aberdovey instructors!) and of course Westminster Metropolitan Police, without whom this programme would not have been possible, as well as its loyal friends and supporters. A big THANK YOU from Encompass to all who attended!

This signalled the end of another successful Encompass programme, but this is only the beginning of the Encompass experience for these 24 young people. Back in their home communities and countries, they are now in the lucky position of being the latest additions to the Encompass global network of alumni. Using their own ideas and inspiration, these young people will now be encouraged and supported by Encompass in becoming involved in community-based activities, volunteering, social initiatives and spreading the word about the experiences they have had. All at Encompass are happy and proud to be able to accompany these young people on their next steps as Encompass alumni!

In summing up this programme, who could be better than the participants themselves?

“I saw a clearer picture on other cultures and communities and it taught me how important it is to listen and see the other side’s points of view.”

“Somehow I feel now more open-minded. I see the cultures in the world, things that happen in the world, faith, religion, people in many ways of thinking. Seeing those encourage me to understand and respect their values in their life. At first I found it quite difficult to understand and as times goes I feel developed and I can respect them. Great!!”

“The experience was amazing on many levels. I challenged myself and proved I could really do anything. I have friends from all over the world now and really feel like I understand it better. My mind has also been challenged more than ever before.”

Posted Wednesday March 19, 2008