We are told, “you are the future of our country. You are the future of our world.” We believe in that and for that reason are ready to take action and do what we can to better understand one of the most significant conflicts in the world today.
In March 2007 a diverse group of UCI students from Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Druze and non-religious backgrounds with varying perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict founded the Olive Tree Initiative. The students were inspired to create a forum where they could discuss and learn about their different perspectives on the situation in Israel/Palestine and to embark on an educational trip to the region. In the fall of 2008, 16 students and 2 faculty made an inaugural two-week trip to Israel/Palestine. While there they met with academics, politicians, religious authorities, community leaders and activists and learned about their perspectives on the conflict. Since returning to campus the Olive Tree Initiative participants have shared their experiences and insights in more than 70 forums on and off campus. In April 2009 they hosted a three-day UC Student Leadership Summit which resulted in seeing the Olive Tree Initiative adopted by other UC campuses.
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