PeacePlayers International - Middle East

The “Twinned Basketball Clubs” (TBC) program is a network of joint basketball clubs that offers Palestinian and Israeli young people, ages 6 to 15, a year-round opportunity for structured, fun co-existence in a safe and supportive environment. Children participate in twice-weekly basketball and peace education activities with peers from their own cultural group. These activities, which are designed to prepare children for positive, effective joint encounters, culminate in “Twinning” sessions, in which Palestinian and Israeli youth unite for practices, games and further instruction in PPI’s unique Peace Education Curriculum. Twinnings initially occur at least twice each month, and accelerate over time as players become more comfortable with co-existence. In addition to these encounters, participants also take part in supplementary events such as biannual tournaments and an annual Peace Education retreat.
Most participants will twin with the same children for a period of several years, allowing players to form close friendships that transcend communal divides. All activities in the TBC draw on PPI – ME’s hands-on Peace Education Curriculum, developed in conjunction with the Arbinger Institute. Using a combination of interactive activities and guided discussion, the curriculum provides players with concrete tools for transforming conflict in their daily lives, ensuring that gains made on the court extend far beyond it.
Ideally, children begin the program at the age of 6 and continue until the age of 15, when they have the opportunity to join the Leadership Development Program.
Leadership Development Program (LDP): PPI – ME aims to cultivate a cadre of young leaders who graduate to PPI – ME’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) and subsequently become the coaches and leaders of the program in their local communities. At the age of 15, TBC participants have the opportunity to join the LDP. With personal commitment and dedication, every young participant in the TBC can graduate and move on to become a leader of the program in the LDP. After experiencing the benefits of cooperation, leadership, and teamwork firsthand, LDP participants are encouraged to give back to their society by mentoring children and working to promote the wellbeing of the community. This cyclical nature is deliberate; youth grow through the program and become equipped with the skills and knowledge to help others grow in turn. This sense of investment and continuity creates a strong connection to civil society.
Single Identity (SI) Program: The SI Program uses the game of basketball to teach leadership and life skills to socio-economically disadvantaged Palestinian boys and girls ages 10 – 16 years, integrating youth from refugee camps, cities, and rural communities. The program also provides professional development training for young Palestinian coaches and educators in the curriculum, and basketball coaching.
Overall, the SI Program reaches 200 children each year. Approximately 60% of the participants are female, and approximately 80% of the participants live in refugee camps.
Professional Development Program – PPI – ME recruits young adults from within its target communities to lead PPI – ME activities, training them as inter-group facilitators and elite basketball coaches via a yearly retreat and semi-annual follow-up clinics. Through the Professional Development Program, PPI – ME also facilitates the professional training of two exceptional LDP graduates a year. PPI – ME does this by offering scholarships for coaches’ certification training, which is necessary to teach youth basketball in Israel, helping these young leaders make the transition to full-fledged coaches.