Worldwide Delegates Participate in the New Media & Public Diplomacy Seminar at the Ariel University Center

Worldwide Delegates Participate in the New Media & Public Diplomacy Seminar at the Ariel University Center  By Baruch Shomron  September 11, 2012  as appeared in the JEWISH PRESS, Aussies, Danes,Swedes Turks, and Bedouins Learn New Media & Public Diplomacy at Ariel University

The Turkish delegate: "My friends are shocked that I came to Israel."                 The Denmark delegate: "It's a rare opportunity - you can't just call the army and ask to be shown around."                                                   

   Photograph credit: Naama Hirsh

 Photograph credit: Naama Hirsh

The hot Israeli sun brought warmth to the faces of the delegates who just got off the bus. They have arrived from all over the world including Denmark, Sweden, Turkey and Australia to take part in the New Media & Public Diplomacy Seminar at the Ariel University Center in the Shomron. Their formal goal is to "gain a better understanding, of how public diplomacy shapes the Middle East conflict," but they are also counting on having a lot of fun.

"It is wonderful to be here again," said Turkish delegate Aga Beck.  Although he had recently visited Israel two months ago, this was his first time over the 1967 green line. "I'm not shocked to be here, since I don't believe the news in Turkey" he said. But his friends from home see it differently: "My friends are shocked that I came to Israel, because they have really 'interesting' views concerning Israel."  

       

I met Diana Nujidaat, from the Galilee, at the entrance to the dormitories. She's in her last year of high school and dreams of becoming a member of the Israeli parliament. She has lived her entire life in Israel yet she's never been over the 1967 green line. "It's my first time here and I'm very excited to be here." Nujidaat hails from a Beduii tribe in Israel and explained that "It's an Israeli state, the majority is Jewish, and I accept that, but this is also my state."   

         

Magnos Frank, a delegate from Denmark, is very exited to have come to Israel. "I'm very glad to be here, and I'm looking forward to this seminar." The program’s field trips are of special interest to him as he pointed out that "it's a rare opportunity, you can't just call the army and ask to be shown around."   

The seminar is sponsored by The Communications School at the Ariel university center, and the Ministry of Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs. It will take place throughout the coming week concluding on September 14^th. During the program the delegates will meet with Israeli officials, reporters, professors and political activists such as the 'watch' women and settlers. The delegates will also travel in the West Bank and visit sensitive area in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.          

Baruch Shomron is a communication/journalism student at the Ariel University Center.