It has been more than 10 years since the first cohort of Roots Peace Work Institute (PWI) graduated from the scheme – seems like an eternity for our modern world where constant moves and changes have become a norm.

But once a Rooter, always a Rooter! And it was clearly demonstrated during the Roots PWI Alumni Online Reunion on May the 4th with 34 attendees from 3 generations of Alumni assembled to vote for the recipient of Roots Local Capacities for Peace Award in 2023 & to discuss the details of upcoming face-to-face Reunion in a very special place, particularly in the Roots context… in the Holy Land!

It could hardly be a more symbolic place to meet again – the birthplace of religions and civilizations, where millions seek peace of soul and mind.. And where we have great friends to host us! We were happy and honored to have Peter Nasir the Secretary General of East Jerusalem YMCA joining the Online Reunion and extending an official invitation to us. They are already looking forward to providing us with a warm welcome and memorable program experience when we all come together in September in Bethlehem.

While the Holy Land was naturally on everyone’s mind during the entire reunion, we still had time and desire to catch up with each other and share our feelings, where life took us over these years and what we are up to at the moment – to be definitely continued in September..

And we all agreed to come to Bethlehem with special gifts, as it is a long-standing tradition there! ????