Peace Activation Program

We are cordially inviting you to join key leaders in the Israeli-Palestinian peace movement as well as experts on conflict resolution for a powerful workshop.

The 3-day program will create connections and involve discussions and brainstorming on creative strategies and actions to help advance dialogue and reconciliation in the conflict zone. We will be discussing how the values and perspectives we want to promote in the region are linked to universal values and the larger goal of a more compassionate and caring world. The program will be held in a nurturing environment and will include some trauma work and meditation, in order to provide support for individuals dedicated to nonviolence and the cultivation of a true, lasting peace in the region.


Program facilitated by the following individuals:

  • Sulaiman Khatib

    A co-founder of Combatants for Peace, an Israeli-Palestinian NGO and grassroots movement committed to nonviolence, who was nominated for the 2017 and 2018 Nobel Peace Prizes for his work toward social justice and equality.

  • Eva Dalak

    An experienced facilitator, trainer and coach who has led diverse, dynamic, and complex programs with multicultural teams toward conflict transformation and strategic organizational change, including with the UN, EU and World Bank.

  • Jonathan Leighton

    A writer, ethics strategist and Executive Director of the Organisation for the Prevention of Intense Suffering (OPIS), a Swiss think-and-do tank that advocates for compassionate governance on behalf of all sentient beings.

  • Vivi Letsou

    The owner of Zen Rocks has brought her experience in yoga, Zen, and meditation, and as a filmmaker in California, to effect positive change through the building of enlightening communities.

The Program

  • 7.00 AM - 8.00 AM: Yoga

    Start the day with a movement designed to energize and focus the mind and body.

    8:00 AM - 9.00 AM: Breakfast

    9:30 AM: Welcome Orientation

    Short welcome speech by the organizers, an overview of the retreat's purpose, and an introduction to the Zen Rocks facility.

    Ice-breaker activities to encourage initial networking and connection among participants.

    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Setting Intentions and Grounding

    Guided group meditation to set intentions for the retreat.

    Introduction to trauma-informed practices, emphasizing the importance of self-care and mental health in peace leadership.

    12:30 - 2:00 PM: Lunch and Rest

    Networking lunch with an emphasis on local, organic cuisine.

    Free time for rest and personal reflection.

    2:00 - 4:00 PM: Leadership and Resilience Workshop

    Interactive workshop on resilient leadership in conflict zones, including stress management and emotional intelligence.

    4:00 - 5:30 PM: Movement and Mindfulness Session

    Trauma-informed movement practice followed by a mindfulness practice focusing on presence and compassion.

    5:30 - 7:00 PM: Dinner Break

    7:00 - 9:00 PM: Opening Circle and Group Discussion

    Sharing of personal journeys and experiences in peace efforts.

    Discussion on expectations and personal goals for the program.

  • 7:00 - 9:00 AM: 5 Tibetan Rites & Breakfast

    Start the day with practices designed to energize and focus the mind and body.

    9:30 AM- 12:30 PM: Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding/ Disrupting Strategies

    Expert-led sessions on successful strategies, research, and case studies from successful peace initiatives.(this would give a platform for the various participants to present their genius/gift

    12:30 - 2:00 PM: Lunch and Networking

    2:00 - 4:00 PM: Collaborative Problem-Solving/ Collective Liberation Sessions

    Participants break into small groups to tackle predefined challenges or propose new projects, focusing on actionable solutions and future initiatives.

    4:00 - 5:30 PM: Integrative Group Sessions

    Groups present their projects and receive feedback in a supportive environment.

    5:30 - 7:00 PM: Dinner Break

    7:00 - 9:00 PM: Dance / Theatre and Storytelling

    An evening dedicated to movement, dancing, cultural exchange, personal stories of resilience, and the power of storytelling in peacebuilding

  • 7:00 - 9:00 AM: Reflective Meditation and Yoga

    Morning session to integrate the learnings and experiences of the retreat.

    9:00 - 10:30 AM: Breakfast and Free Time

    10:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Action Planning Workshop

    Workshop on developing personal and collective collaborative action plans, focusing on commitments and next steps post-retreat.

    12:30 - 2:00 PM: Lunch and Networking

    2:00 - 4:00 PM: Commitments Sharing

    Participants share their commitments and insights gained from the retreat.

    Designing follow-up steps for future retreats

    Establishment of a digital communication platform for continuous collaboration and support among participants.

    Monthly virtual follow-ups to track progress on commitments and initiatives.

    4:00 - 5:30 PM: Documentary Filming and Interviews

    Participants have the opportunity to contribute to the documentary, sharing their perspectives and experiences of the retreat.

    5:30 - 7:00 PM: Dinner Break

    7:00- 9:00 PM: Closing Ceremony

    Group meditation focusing on peace, collective liberation and healing for the world.

    Dance/ Movement / Party

The program organized by:

The Organisation for the Prevention of Intense Suffering (OPIS) is a think-and-do tank dedicated to a more compassionate world.

Founded in 2016 as a Swiss non-profit association and officially headquartered in Geneva, OPIS is one of the few organizations worldwide that explicitly promote the prevention of intense suffering of all sentient beings, including humans and other animals, as society’s top ethical priority.

We seek to embed these ethics into societal decision-making, highlighting effective solutions to some of the worst forms of suffering, within the context of a global system designed to listen to and meet the needs of all.

&

Zen Rocks: A Sanctuary for Healing & Mindfulness.

Zen Rocks is a place of beauty, community, and dedication to a deep practice for personal healing and global transformation.

&

At Peace Activation, our mission is twofold: to offer compassionate support to individuals affected by conflict, providing safe spaces for emotional expression and tools for healing; and to empower individuals to cultivate inner peace, enabling them to initiate transformative, collaborative endeavors within their communities.