JERUSALEM, April 15, 2010 (WAFA)- At 10.30 on Sunday, April 18, about 250 young 'athletes' from the Shu'fat Refugee Camp and East Jerusalem will take part in VIVICITTA’, an unprecedented children's marathon taking place simultaneously in the refugee camps of Lebanon and Syria and the occupied Palestinian territories.
VIVICITTA’ said in a press release that its spirit is to provide everyone, boys and girls, athletes or not, with the opportunity to participate in the race as an opportunity for solidarity, and - why not – winning.
A team of young leaders and local volunteers has prepared the children to face the almost two kilometres of the course that winds through the narrow streets of the camp. Children will run in categories according to their age, each recognizable by the colour of the T-shirt, and each will receive a diploma and a participation gift.
There will be a water distribution point at the start, and snacks and juice at the arrival. A first aid service run by volunteers has been arranged, while the Palestinian Red Crescent has made available an ambulance.
VIVICITTA’ is a marathon that UISP – the Italian Union Sport for All - has been organising for 27 years in Italy and worldwide, where thousands of people simultaneously run under the banner of solidarity, integration, human rights and environment protection. This year a special edition of VIVICITTA’, co-sponsored by the Italian Cooperation and UNRWA, has been dedicated to the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
In Shu'fat Camp a large pool of international and Palestinian partners joined UISP, UNRWA and the Italian Cooperation to contribute to the organization of this extraordinary initiative. These included:
- Peace Games, the UISP’s NGO, which since 2005 is working in Shu’fat developing socio-economical projects to support the community of the Camp.
- Youth Development Department, the Palestinian association which plays the role of professional and technical umbrella for the youth sector in Jerusalem;
- Shu’fat Camp Popular Committee, Emilia Romagna Region, and European Union;
The initiative will be presented at a press conference to take place on Saturday, April 17, at 10.30 a.m., at the Jerusalem Hotel garden, Nablus Road, Jerusalem.
Introduces and moderates Mazen Jabari, Director of the Youth Development Department.
Speakers will include UISP Vice-President Vincenzo Manco, Peace Games President Daniele Borghi, Shufat Camp Popular Committee Member Abdel Karim Shallodi, Regione Romagna Representative Raffaele Spiga, and a Representative from European Union.
