Welcome to the Rotary World Peace Scholars Page in Paris

Summer Activities

Syeda Daleya Uddin

District 7490: USA

PERIOD REPORTED - SUMMER/FALL 2003:

SINARC 2003

The summer intensive Arabic language and culture program lives up to its name in many different respects. The Arabic course was intense – within a week we learned the entire Arabic alphabet and were writing our names and nationalities. However, the program did not end with language training. We were also immersed in Lebanese culture, politics, and history. I did not know exactly what to expect before arriving in Lebanon (it was a last minute choice for summer activities since the Southeast Asian Institute in Malaysia was cancelled due to the SARS outbreak.) The variety of responses I received when I told people I was going to spend the summer in Beirut was incredible. Lebanese friends encouraged me, my parents stressed out over safety/security concerns, and some people just thought I was crazy. The responses ranged from “why would anyone want to go to Beirut, what could you possibly do there” to “does this mean you will have to wear a hijab” (the traditional Muslim headscarf). If those people only knew what life in Beirut was really like, then they would be in for a shock. So I decided to read a little bit about the history of the country before my departure, but nothing could really prepare me for the actual experience.

The summer intensive Arabic language and culture program lives up to its name in many different respects. The Arabic course was intense – within a week we learned the entire Arabic alphabet and were writing our names and nationalities. However, the program did not end with language training. We were also immersed in Lebanese culture, politics, and history. I did not know exactly what to expect before arriving in Lebanon (it was a last minute choice for summer activities since the Southeast Asian Institute in Malaysia was cancelled due to the SARS outbreak.) The variety of responses I received when I told people I was going to spend the summer in Beirut was incredible. Lebanese friends encouraged me, my parents stressed out over safety/security concerns, and some people just thought I was crazy. The responses ranged from “why would anyone want to go to Beirut, what could you possibly do there” to “does this mean you will have to wear a hijab” (the traditional Muslim headscarf). If those people onl y knew what life in Beirut was really like, then they would be in for a shock. So I decided to read a little bit about the history of the country before my departure, but nothing could really prepare me for the actual experience.

The SINARC program also included culture modules in addition to the language training. We traveled throughout Lebanon (on weekends and after class) visiting Phoenician ruins, the national museum, Ottoman palaces, the cedar national forest, and the national museum. The most interesting part of these outings, as a World Peace Scholar was to see the Lebanese post-war reconstruction efforts. Above is a picture of a typical building in downtown Lebanon that was destroyed during the civil war, but is being rebuilt in the traditional architectural-style. The Lebanese government has come up with an innovative way to rebuild the heart of the city. Instead of returning the destroyed land to previous owners, the government has taken over ownership of the land and given the previous owners a share in the reconstruction company called Solidaire. Solidaire has been successful in creating a market-based mechanism for reconstruction and its plans to return the city to its prewar splendor are on track to be completed by 2005. During reconstruction efforts, workers discovered ruins in the city dating back to Phoenician and Roman times, which will now become part of a new museum. After spending a short time in Beirut, I realized why the city is called the Paris of the Middle East. There is a vibrant cultural atmosphere there (both Western and Middle Eastern art and music thrive there).

TRIP TO DAMASCUS, SYRIA

After a few weeks in the program, our confidence in Arabic and the cultural setting grew. We decided to take a short trip to Damascus (which is a short and inexpensive trip from Beirut). The locals convinced us that it would be a worthwhile trip (and when would be ever have a similar opportunity). So few SINARC students and I decided to take a day trip into Damascus. As Americans we had no problems at the border or with the visa. The Syrians are actually glad to get the tourist boost, as their economy is faring even worse than the Lebanese. The contrast between Lebanon and Syria is evident upon crossing the border. Syria appears to have less Western influences. We visited the famous Umayyad Mosque in Damascus in the evening (close to the evening prayer time). We had to rent appropriate clothing to enter the mosque; however, we still stood out very much as tourists. In fact a group of women came up to us before the call to prayer to ask us where we were from. They were delighted and amazed to hear that we were Americans visiting the Syria for the first time. They wanted to know all about the US and our studies. Everyone we met (whether in Syria or Lebanon) was incredibly helpful and went out of their way to make our stay unforgettable. Restaurant and café workers would spend hours helping us with our Arabic homework and providing us with opportunities to butcher their language without any sarcasm on their part. This is particularly amazing considering the fact that most Lebanese speak Arabic, French and English with perfect ease. It is unfortunate for us that the US education system does not put similar emphasis on language acquisition.

CULTURAL COMPONENT

In addition to the trips, the SINARC program also organized a cultural films and a lecture series, to give us a better flavor of Arabic culture and politics. SINARC organized a visit by Adam Shapiro, founder of the International Solidarity Movement. His group is inspired by the 1960s US civil Rights Movement, and uses non-violent means to bring attention to Palestinian refugees. The group is volunteer-based and includes individuals of all faiths. The group’s activities led to the opening up of a major Israeli checkpoint that now provides Palestinian students access to the main road to the university there. (http://www.palsolidaritygrp.org). The group goal is to also improve international public awareness of this issue. Once volunteers return to their respective countries they are encourage to undertake speaking engagements where the inform people on the realities on the ground. Listening to Adam Shapiro speak was an informative experience since he was able to highlight the concrete daily struggles that the both Israelis and Palestinians are facing after the outbreak of the intifada. During his lecture, I learned of the wall that is being built to separate Israelis and Palestinians, which the Israeli government claim is for the purpose of reinforcing security. However, Palestinians claim that this wall will cut off access to water and rich farmland (contentious issues in this region). Shapiro’s intervention was particularly interesting because he criticized the leadership on both sides for missed opportunities and actually was presenting a grassroots (and non-violent) effort in helping to move both sides towards peace.

One of the SINARC participants was the son of a Palestinian activist. His mother’s contacts were able to organize a visit for a few of the interested SINARC students to Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut. We visited the Shabra & Shetilla camps (site of the infamous massacres). The camps have now been converted into makeshift buildings (approximately 18,000 in about 1 kilometer). Classrooms have been created in some of these makeshift building. The visit was the most moving experience I have had as a World Peace Scholar. The health care and educational needs of the Palestinians in these camps are tremendous. NGOS provide vocational training, but the Palestinians do not have the same rights as Lebanese citizens. They do not have access to over 70 professions (such as medicine/engineering) and are usually limited to low-end service sector jobs. This limits the prospects for the refugees to improve their socio-economic standing. After September 11th, immigration laws in the US have been tightened, which further limits the prospects of the young generation in the camp. We met a young student who had been accepted with a scholarship to a business school in Florida, but could not attend because he was denied a visa. When asked what we could do to help them, many of these people responded that we could help by telling others about their plight because they believe that international attention would help their situation. After observing their living conditions and future prospects, it is no wonder that many of these Palestinians feel neglected. A new generation of Palestinians is growing up in these camps, which has had no other life besides that of a refugee (which can create discontent amongst them).

ROTARY ACTIVITIES AND FALL INTERNSHIP

I was welcomed to Beirut by Rotary clubs, who were eager to learn about the World Peace Scholarship program (they included program details and my experiences as a WPS in their newsletter). In turn I was able to learn about how the Rotary clubs are working to help the nation’s reconstruction efforts in addition to traditional community service efforts. Upon returning to Paris there were a many opportunities to meet and interact with the new class of WPS scholars at Sciences Po. I met the class collectively during the Center welcome luncheon. Then the ABFR organized its annual orientation weekend (where I also met other Rotary Scholars about to embark on there academic year in France. The excitement of a new group of scholars is always inspirational.

My internship at the US Embassy in Paris is proving to exceed my expectations. I have been assigned to the Environment, Science and Technology Section, which is in the Economic cone of the embassy. Due to the recent departure of the Junior Foreign Service Officer (who went to Baghdad) in my section, I have been given greater responsibility. I am called upon to represent the section at various international conferences that take place in Paris. I am writing cables and weekly newsletter (including translation of French articles). Thanks to the internship, I have unprecedented access to conferences organized by UNESCO, the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and other French institutions on topics varying from TB/AIDS to the environment and development. My supervisor and other Foreign Service Officers have taken me under their wings and offer advice on pursuing a career in the service or the international arena in general. During the month of Ramadan, I was invited to the Ambassadors Residence for an Iftar Dinner for Arab League diplomats, professionals, and journalists. As a Muslim-American, I was proud of the efforts made by my government to reach out to the Arab population in France and to learn about an observance that Muslims hold dear. Additionally, an Asian American my presence at the function brought attention to the fact that the Muslim world is not limited to the Arab world, but extends to other geographical locations.

It is an interesting time to be working at the US Embassy in France, considering the deterioration of relations between the two administrations. Regular work entails preparing memos on new US initiatives dealing with science, environment and technology for French government representatives in efforts to promote cooperation. The section also coordinates the visits of congressional and administration delegates to France. As a result, I am learning about new US policies at the formation stage (such as the creation of the new Millennium Challenge Account to aid developing countries). Additionally, we monitor French initiatives also to see how it affects our bilateral relationship and if there are areas where cooperation is possible. It is also interesting to see which sectors remain in the control of the French government and which are slowly being handed over to the European Union. A variety of academic topics are coming “alive” for me in through this work experience. The internship has exposed the inner workings of the embassy and the State Department. I am able to observe and sometimes participate in the briefings and politics that take place before and during negotiations.

A fellow WPS, Karla Berg, is interning at UNESCO this semester and was to invite all of the WPS here to attend the presentation of the French version of the Human Security Report. Lakdhar Brahimi and Bernard Kouchner presented keynote addresses and outlined international efforts required to promote human security. The concept of human security was initially put-forth by the United National Development Program, then a Commission on Human Security was established in January 2001 through a Japanese government initiative.

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