SMC Youth Peacebuilding Trip to El Salvador

This summer seven youth and three adults from Salem Mennonite Church will travel to El Salvador with human rights organization CRISTOSAL to join with Salvadoran youth from community, faith, and human rights organizations in learning about human rights based community peacebuilding. The youth from both countries will gain cross-cultural connection, dialogue, and conflict transformation skills. We will meet with inspiring Salvadoran leaders using conflict transformation tools, community development, faith, advocacy, and art to move from a culture of violence to a culture of peace. The North American youth will also see the impacts of U.S. foreign policy and experience how to enter into another country with respect. Following seven days facilitated by CRISTOSAL we will have two nights of a community homestay and then closing reflections exploring how we bring the experience and skills learned back with us.