Together we will make our Caucasus better

© UNICEF / 2006 / Bela Tsugaeva

Zabi Gaitukieva, 14, from Ingushetia, a participant of Summer Camp "Plus" embracing her best friend Zarina, 12, from North Ossetia during the closing ceremony of the Camp. Zabi is crying because she does not want to part with Zarina

“I have never been out of Ingushetia before,” said Zabi Gaitukieva, a 14 year old from the Caucasian Republic of Ingushetia. “When I learned about the opportunity to go and meet with children from the other republics, I was a little bit nervous, because I am shy even in my homeland.”

Zabi, together with 130 children from the four North Caucasian republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Dagestan, participated in a ten day peace and tolerance education event called “Summer Camp Plus”. The camp took place at the “Golden Sands”, summer camp, a well-equipped children’s resort in Derbent, a city by the Caspian Sea in Dagestan.

The objective of the event was to improve intercultural communication between children of the various republics through the basics of Peace Education and Tolerance.

“I thought it would be impossible to talk to the children from Chechnya, Ossetia and Dagestan as my head was full with stereotypes about these nationalities,” said Zabi. “My parents were also worried, but finally decided that I should take the opportunity.” Children from other republics also admitted that they and their parents had the same feelings.

At first the children from each republic tried to stay separate from each other, but this understandable reaction began to dissipate even during the first session.  The experienced trainers divided the children into five groups, each including children from each of the four republics. Almost immediately the children relaxed and started to learn more about each other’s cultures and customs, and to understand the similarities between them.  “I learned that we are really one family and should do everything possible to end prejudice and racism between us,” said Zabi. “And the most important thing I learned is that we children could do it. We can make difference in the world, each of us. We have already started doing it here.”

The children were always together during the sessions and meals. They danced, sang and participated in daily theatre performances. “It united us very strongly and we would often forget that we were of different nationalities. I should never have thought before coming to this camp that I would ever like Ossetians. But now I see that I was mistaken. A 12-year-old Zarina from North Ossetia, whom I met here, is my best friend now and nothing could ruin our friendship.”

The children compiled a Declaration in which they announced the 25th July (the closing day of the Summer Camp) the Day of Children’s Peace Building. The Declaration was addressed to the decision-makers in the Russian Federation to include a Peace Education component into the school curriculum. “I hope that adults will respect our opinion and hear our voices,” was a common sentiment from the children.

As she was leaving, Zabi added one final comment, “I am so happy that I participated in Summer Camp. I believe that I will become a Peace Builder in the nearest future as well as other children from the North Caucasus, we will attract more and more children into our ranks and together we will make our Caucasus better.”

The Summer Camp Plus was organised by UNICEF in close cooperation with the Ministries of Education, Science and Youth Policy of all republics and hosted by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth Policy of Dagestan.