By David Gold in Sochi

HRH Prince_Feisal_addresses_delegates_and_the_media_10-10-1October 10 - Prince Feisal Al Hussein (pictured) has opened Generations For Peace's eighth peace building camp here today and spoke of his hope that the event can help advance peace throughout the region as well as to promote the principles of the Olympic Movement.


Generations For Peace uses sport as a peace building tool, and trains delegates in a variety of modules such as peace building, advocacy and partnerships, as an initiative to promote a more peaceful future.

The camp came to Sochi for the second successive year and looks to build on the success of 2010, with 53 delegates from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Serbia and Russia receiving 10 days of intensive training.

"The principles Generations For Peace stand for are aligned with the Olympic Movement, and to have the opportunity to come to the host of the [2014] Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games is truly outstanding," Prince Feisal told a press conference this morning.

"The relationship we built last year and the strong common bond and vision we have with the Sochi city as well as organising committee has allowed us to come back here.

"I really share the delegates' excitement about what lies ahead over the next ten days.

"I have been truly humbled and inspired by the delegates we have trained in the past, and the incredible impact they have gone on to achieve.

"These delegates may be just beginning their own journey with us, but I have no doubt that they too will become certified as Generations For Peace Pioneers, and feel that sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from serving their communities."

Last year's camp led to the registration of the first European office of Generations For Peace in Sarajevo, with plans in place for another base in Belgrade.

Georgia are sending delegates for the first time, and Russia, with whom they fought a brief war in the summer of 2008, have sent the largest contingent, largely thanks to the Sochi 2014 Volunteer Programme.

Mayor Anatoly_Pakhomov_and_HRH_Prince_Feisal_at_the_press_conference_10-10-11
"We are honoured and delighted to welcome Generations For Peace back to Sochi for the second time," said Sochi Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov.

"Our preparations to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2014 have given Sochi a great opportunity to stimulate positive social change throughout the region, through the combined power of sport and volunteerism.

"Partnering with an international NGO (Non-Governmental organisation) like Generations For Peace, with its expert facilitators and highly developed curriculum, means we can help spread that change in our city, our region, our nation, and beyond."

Pakhomov also spoke of the importance of motivating volunteers for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

"The events of the camp last year proved to us that we need this project," he said.

"Our youth needs this project, they need to come to us to talk to our people to meet colleagues and their partners from our country.

"We want to show that Russia wants to be part of the world's sports community."

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