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What We Do AoC Supported Projects Abraham Path Initiative
What We Do AoC Supported Projects Abraham Path Initiative | Abraham Path Initiative |
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Overview By retracing this journey, the Abraham Path provides a place of meeting and connection for people of all faiths and cultures, inviting us to remember our common origins, to respect our cultural differences, and to recognize our shared humanity. The path also serves as a catalyst for sustainable tourism and economic development; a platform for the energy and idealism of young people; and a focus for positive media highlighting the rich culture and hospitable people of the Middle East. When will the path be open? Thanks to the generous welcome, which has been extended by host communities along the way, the first walking sections of the Path are now open to travelers with over 300 km of the path open in Turkey, Jordan, Palestine and Israel. Travelers have the opportunity to walk through striking landscapes, stay with families, and make friends with people from vastly different backgrounds. In turn, communities living along the path step into the role of hosts, welcoming travelers with pride and hospitality. In the first half of 2009 alone over 1,500 people walked the path and more groups are planning trips every day. Who is making this happen? The Abraham Path belongs to the communities along the way and depends upon the leadership of host families, social leaders, local and national governments, universities, tour operators, and other civil society partners in the Middle East. The project is served by the Abraham Path Initiative: an international non-governmental organization whose mission is to inspire and support the opening of this route. The Initiative is a not-for-profit entity which has no religious or political alignments of any kind and which honours all faiths and cultures. Founded at Harvard University, the Abraham Path is endorsed by the UN Alliance of Civilizations program and by the UN World Tourism Organization. Funding comes from a range of foundations and individuals, and a complete list of major donors may be seen on the website. What are the practical impacts of the path? As the Abraham Path increases tourism to the Middle East, it serves as a source of community-driven economic development. The majority of the route winds through rural areas, many of which are struggling with crippling unemployment and a lack of basic services. Years of conflict have left many in the Middle East increasingly isolated. All over the region, people have had to give up their traditional way of life and move to the cities in order to earn a living. Sustainable tourism is a source of hope for these communities, allowing people to not only preserve their culture and traditions, but to share them with others. In Ajloun, one of the poorest regions of Jordan, families have been able to increase their income by $125 per month by providing services to travelers on the Abraham Path. An example is Um-Ahmad, a hard-working woman from this region who supports her family of seven children and a disabled husband. She has struggled to earn a living in Ajloun, and poverty forced her to marry off her eldest daughter at the age of 15 years old. The Abraham Path Initiative first encountered Um-Ahmad when she offered to make bread at one of its markets. That experience inspired Um-Ahmad to create a business of her own, baking bread -“Taboon”. Because of her skill, the Abraham Path Initiative hired Um-Ahmad to prepare meals for tourists in Ajloun. Travelers could stop by her home for a hot meal. This simple stop was a turning point for Um-Ahmad and her family. She now generates a steady income enabling her to renovate her humble house, including their only toilet, which was previously dysfunctional. As the path continues to develop, the initiative is working to replicate this success in more communities. The effects of the path reach beyond the Middle East. The path is already serving as a global news story, allowing journalists to tell a more complete story about the Middle East. Media stories about the path have reached millions around the world, and Abraham Path chapters are being formed in places as far away as Sao Paolo, London, and Pakistan to foster cultural exchanges closer to home. Finally, for those unable to travel to the physical path, the Virtual Abraham Path, using the GoogleEarth platform, offers humanity another global meeting place for education and encounter. How can you get involved? If you are interested to learn more about the project please visit our website at www.abrahampath.org If you are interested in financially supporting this effort or becoming a partner please contact Dr. Josh Weiss at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesitas tener Javascript activado para poder verla |
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