A webinar on "Engaging Young People in Heritage Stewardship in a time of Covid" in Oct. 2020
Youth engagement in heritage stewardship - the why and the how
Desert Bloom joined the panel for a webinar on "Engaging Young People in Heritage Stewardship in a time of Covid" in Oct. 2020 organized by 4D Heritage (UK) in cooperation with Desert Bloom, Cultural Heritage Institute of the Royal Agricultural University (UK) and Environmental Quality International (Egypt).
Desert Bloom shared its views about the importance of cultural heritage for young people, intercultural dialogue and peace. Mamoun Khreisat, the Founder of Desert Bloom, elaborated on how Desert Bloom views young people as change agents who will transform our world into better a place to live for all living beings. Desert Bloom inspires interfaith and inter-civilizational dialogue among young people from different parts of this world through visiting heritage site across Jordan. It chooses sites were different faiths, cultures and civilizations interconnect. These visits promote mutual respect and understanding among young peoples and reinforce their global competencies and universal morality to prepare them for an inclusive and sustainable world. Mamoun shed lights on Desert Bloom field visits to Madaba where we visit "Mount Nebo", a holy shrine for Muslims, Christians and Jews. It is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the place where Prophet Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land. Many believe it is the place where Moses died and buried. On the mountain there is a church dedicated to Prophet Moses built by Saint Helen, with many Greek inscriptions, beautiful mosaics with themes from the creation, nature and life. We also visit Jesus Christ Mosque in Madaba which represents one Jordan's interfaith harmony symbols. Madaba is a live example of cohabitation, brotherhood and affection that developed and was sustained over centuries between Islam and Christianity in Jordan. To add stories to places, we facilitate an open discussion on sites. We usually invite Christian priests and Muslim leaders to lead a dialogue in sites.
