From October 30 to November 5, 2022, London, UK became a hub of youthful energy and global connections as the RESOLVE: Play 4 Peace youth exchange took place. This transformative program brought together young participants aged 18-25 from various countries to develop essential non-cognitive skills and engage in activities centered around peacebuilding.

The exchange presented an exclusive chance for participants to establish meaningful connections with peers hailing from diverse backgrounds. They had the privilege to fully immerse themselves in the dynamic and lively culture of London. Moreover, the exchange empowered them to initiate and launch social action activities within their own communities, making a positive impact on the world around them.

In the lively metropolis of London, the exchange unfolded, immersing participants in a captivating cultural journey. The organizers thoughtfully curated a series of formal meals and events to enrich the participants’ cultural immersion. The Welcome Lunch, Cultural Night, and Farewell Dinner provided the perfect backdrop for participants to build connections, foster bonds, and gain a deep appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of London’s diverse culture.

Hello, I’m Âsûde.

I was a participant from Turkey in the Resolve: Peace Camps project in London on May 17-22. This project has participants from Cyprus, Hungary, Spain and Bosnia.

The Resolve: Peace Camps project consisted of many events emphasizing peace on a global axis. It was a full-blown session where we discussed what we can prioritize from the past conflicts with the guest speakers, visited the war museum about Britain and talked about the conflicts on the artefacts here, information has be given about the European Union and Brexit in the Europe House, and discussed the issues that occupy the agenda in international relations specific to various identities.

In addition, being involved in a project in London, one of the world’s leading metropolises, is enough to have unique experiences in many ways. You can encounter a different celebration every season. It was also enjoyable to explore the streets and talk to the people you met there.

There are many parameters that ensure the healthy development of communication on platforms where people from different cultures come together. I had no difficulty in communicating and establishing relationships with the participants in this project. All of them were people I was very happy to meet, had a great time with and would like to meet again in the future.

Finally, I believe that such projects support development in many areas. I am very happy to be with İmece Network in this project and I would like to thank İmece Network for this.

Âsûde Özkal