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PRESS RELEASE An American Jew and an Israeli Palestinian have come together to create a unique tradition in Israel. The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Middle East Peace Dialogue Group, Inc. (www.mpdn.org) has been supporting over sixty Israeli Jewish and Arab dialogue groups for a number of years. Richard Goodwin, two years ago, came to the conclusion that more people need to be involved in Israel's peace movement. It occurred to him that one of the largest contingencies and greatest beneficiaries of peace are the children. In cooperation with Mohammad Darawshe a "Children's March for Peace" was initiated on September 21, 2005. The children are given ten letters to be given to their family urging their participation in peace efforts. The "Children's March for Peace" involved 3,000 Jewish and Arab children equally divided, with two environmental projects. The first project involved 1,500 children in a three hour beach clean up and they collected over four tons of debris. The Environmental Minister of Israel joined them. The other 1,500 children did a similar project in several of the forest in northern Israel. May 4, 2006 a "Children's Festival for Peace" was organized in a park area with a large swimming lake. There were 4,300 children and 350 adults supervising them with festival activities all day, Jewish and Arab children getting to know each other. While they may only live less then a mile apart, because the schools are segregated in Israel they never meet. Richard Goodwin has been active in dialogue groups and peace efforts between Israel and the Palestine for many years. In spite of some very discouraging events he continues his work in cooperation with his Palestinian coordinator and friend, Mohammad Darawshe. Richard's philosophy is that peace is the people's work; peace is too important to leave to the politicians; and if the people will lead the leaders will follow. On November 9, 2006 the second "Children's March for Peace" will be held in Israel at Lavi Forest.
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