Video Conference: Gafsa, Tunisia and Portland, U.S.- Update

Last Saturday a group of GCC leaders from the Portland area participated in an hour long video chat with Tunisian leaders in Gafsa. The GCC program in Tunisia is new and this was their first opportunity to meet US leaders. Before the video chat, none of the US youth had previously engaged with anyone from Tunisia.

The chat began with introductions among the youth and quickly progressed to
conversations about the revolution. A Tunisian leader asked “what do you think of our revolution?” The US leaders responded that they are full of admiration for the Tunisian people and everything they have accomplished. One US leader expressed “We are very impressed with your tenacity. Your success has been mind blowing.”

The conversation shifted to the Tunisian youth’s perceptions about the United States. One Tunisian leader exclaimed that he thinks life in the US “would be like heaven. You have such amazing technology there.” Other Tunisian youth questioned whether Hollywood movies depicted accurate life in the United States?

The US leaders responded that life in the United States is not what the movies suggest. They explained that there is poverty, high rates of unemployment, and that people struggle in the United States too. The US leaders asked what life is like in Tunisia, and were shocked to discover that the average school day starts at 8am and goes until 6pm.

Tunisian leaders stated that Tunisia is beautiful, and that Tunisian people are warm and open-minded. They explained that Islam does not incite hatred. Rather it teachers love, peace and forgiveness. US leaders ruefully acknowledged that many Americans have a negative perception on Islam.

The conversation ended with two Tunisian leaders performing a rap song as US leaders clapped along.  While debriefing with US leaders afterwards, the youth commented how much they loved the chat. They stated that the chat challenged many of their previous stereotypes about life in Tunisia. One leader exclaimed that the video chat “was the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life!”