Teens From Around the World Who Lost a Family Member to Terrorism Come Together for International Peace Program

MANHASSET, N.Y., July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Seventy-seven teens from around the world who have lost a family member to an act of terrorism will join together to form an international alliance called Project Common Bond under the auspices of Tuesday's Children, the premier non-profit organization serving the needs of the 9/11 community. The week-long program, now in its fourth year, is changing the lives of young people around the globe.

The 2011 Project Common Bond participants include young adults between the ages of 15 to 20 years old from the U.S., Israel, Palestine, Northern Ireland, Russia, Spain, Argentina and Sri Lanka. The program will be held at the Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia from July 23rd through July 30th.

According to Terry Sears, Executive Director of Tuesday's Children, the goal of Project Common Bond is to impact the lives of young people who have suffered a loss as a result of an act of terrorism and give them opportunities for healing and personal growth, as well as leadership skills so they can help others.  

The teens will participate in therapeutic group work, community-building activities, conflict resolution projects and team events designed to foster trust, healing, cooperation and communication. The curriculum was designed by Harvard University Law School's Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program and incorporates a second Harvard-designed program by Donna Hicks of the Weatherhead Center of International Affairs. The symposium is being delivered by a team of professionals, coordinated by Curriculum Director and family therapist Monica Meehan McNamara.

Ms. Sears said, "For these teenagers, the sudden, violent, and public nature of their loss becomes an overwhelming and defining characteristic of their lives. Often, they feel isolated and alone. At Common Bond, they feel safe. They are suddenly shoulder to shoulder with other teens who understand exactly what they have been through. Common Bond provides them with the opportunity to take their personal tragedy and – with professional guidance from health experts and professionals in conflict resolution – turn their tragedy into strength."  

Kathy Murphy, Director of Project Common Bond and Tuesday's Children's teen programs, said, "At Project Common Bond, we are helping to build the next generation of teachers, doctors, business people, lawyers, engineers, scientists, mothers and fathers. Each of our Project Common Bond kids – no matter where they live – will have a better understanding of how to get by in a very imperfect world and the tools to do it with."

Ms. Murphy noted that Tuesday's Children organizes web-based symposia, blogs, chats and events that keep the teens actively engaged in Project Common Bond year-round. She also thanked the Foxcroft School for its generosity in providing a Project Common Bond scholarship to an international participant, and for opening up their beautiful facilities for this special program.

For more information go to: www.tuesdayschildren.org/programs/pcb

SOURCE Tuesday's Children