The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the BMW Group have embarked on a one-year support phase for the winners of their joint Intercultural Innovation Award. The first winner, MEJDI Tours, will be mentored by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Aziz Abu Sarah, director of MEJDI Tours, was welcomed in Madrid by the UNWTO’s Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. Abu Sarah is a Palestinian living between the United States and the Middle East who was recently appointed an “Emerging Explorer” by National Geographic, which is an honor the organization gives to young people making a difference early in their careers. MEJDI Tours was founded by Rabbi Marc Gopin, professor at George Mason University. Gopin, who is an orthodox rabbi, is a leading scholar on the role of religions in conflict resolution and peace building.

During the meeting, Mr. Rifai expressed UNWTO’s commitment to assist MEJDI Tours in their growth and expansion to other regions. Following the discussions, MEJDI Tours was invited to attend subsequent meetings and events of the organization to promote their activities. Other initiatives within the support of UNWTO to MEJI Tours include the work of the UNWTO Volunteers, technical assistance and communications. In addition, Abu Sarah met with several other organizations in the tourism sector and partners working in the Middle East.

MEJDI Tours is a joint Jewish-Arab tour organization that runs group tours to Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt. Their flagship project, the ‘Dual Narrative’ tour, offers tours to Israel and Palestine led by Israeli and Palestinian peace builders.  It is an innovative approach for learning about the Middle East that highlights the different narratives of Israelis and Palestinians from a variety of cultural, political, and religious backgrounds.

The collaboration with UNWTO was framed in the conviction that tourism has a major role in promoting intercultural understanding and peace.    

“The tourism sector offers a natural path to build bridges and bring cultures together on the road to understanding and peace, and should thus be put higher on the international and national peace building agendas,” said Mr. Rifai.

“Through this award to MEJDI Tours, the UNAOC and the BMW Group will intensify their global commitment to further social cohesion and coexistence among communities,” said Daniel Cerván, coordinator of the Intercultural Innovation Award.

The Intercultural Innovation Award, a partnership between the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the BMW Group, aims to select and support the most innovated initiatives that encourage intercultural dialogue and cooperation around the world.

For further information, please visit: http://Interculturalinnovation.org

Contacts:

BMW Group

Konstanze Carreras, Corporate Social Responsibility

Telephone: +49-89-382-52894

UNAOC

Jean-Christophe Bas, Senior Advisor Strategic Developments and Partnerships,

Telephone: +1-212-457-1090; Fax: +1-212-457-4032

Daniel Cervan, coordinator of The Intercultural Innovation Award (in Spanish)

Telephone: +34-677-760-315

UNWTO

Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60

UNWTO Communications Programme

Tel: +34 91-567-8100

Fax: +34 91-567-8218