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Four pairs of young medics – Jordanian, Palestinian, Israeli and Canadian – recently finished a month-long pediatric emergency medicine elective in Toronto. The program that brought them together is a creature of the Canada International Scientific Exchange Program, Mount Sinai, Sick Kids and other hospitals and organizations.
While here, the doctors lived together and studied together. They went to the CN Tower together. They spent time at a cottage on a lake where they paddled canoes and roasted wienies together.
Because they are Jordanian, Palestinian, Israeli and Canadian, and because they are young and smart, they also stayed up late at night and argued politics, and at times, the talk was heated. And then they clapped each other on the back before they turned in at night and in the morning they shared breakfast.
What is possible to do here is not possible to do there; not yet.
The doctors spoke about their experiences at a lunchtime forum on global health the other day. Here is some of what they had to say:
"We had a chance to talk about politics. We had discussions with people we normally wouldn't meet. I consider that I have made seven new friends. This is my first time in a non-Arabic country, my first time with Israelis. The only time I have met Israelis before this is at checkpoints."
One said, "I am Canadian, and perhaps not as interesting. I spent last summer in Kenya, working with people from different backgrounds." How modest is that?
They said, "It is hard to create an open dialogue in a comfortable setting at home. Here it is neutral, there is nobody from the home team; oh, I guess the Canadians are the home team, ha, ha."
"We're so threatening," said the Canadians. "Ha, ha," said everyone else.
The young doctors said, "Once relationships are formed, they are more easily sustained. Something like this is not possible back home. We will go home, but we will stay in touch. This is not changing the reality of the region, but it is a starting point. I believe in chain reactions. We can spread this around. We have this bond."
One of the Israeli doctors said, "My parents have opposite views – my mother said I should be careful and not say anything that might upset `them.' My dad is more easy-going. He speaks a few words of Arabic, he wants my Palestinian friend to visit." At many of the points in this discussion, there was applause; that was one of them.
"I told my friends I hiked in Algonquin Park with Israelis and Palestinians, and there was no rock-throwing, ha, ha."
A Canadian said that.
You can bet these new friendships will be sustained on Facebook, and the radical notions of Arab-Israeli understanding and Middle-Eastern co-operation will be nurtured in hospitals and over the Internet.
Who needs politicians?
The program that brought these young doctors together costs a mere $35,000 a year. Lectures are given freely, as is accommodation. There is no support from any government. Every year, the money must be raised anew.
This makes me crazy.
On Friday, I will introduce you to a Jordanian, a Palestinian and an Israeli doctor for a more personal chat about here, and about there.
Joe Fiorito usually appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Email: jfiorito@thestar.ca
