If you are an Armenian or Azerbaijani student currently studying in the U.S. interested in engaging in a constructive dialogue with each other, please consider participating in the second Azerbaijani-Armenian Student Retreat and Dialogue program to be held in the United States from May 24-June 1, 2008 (at a beautiful Saluda Mountain Lake Retreat in North Carolina). Located in a serene natural setting the retreat employs a unique methodology that combines analytical dialogue and conflict resolution trainings with outdoor teambuilding and living together in a remote area.

The first Imagine Dialogue and Retreat program for Armenian and Azerbaijani students took place in May of 2007 with support from the US Department of State. The program brought together 12 young professionals from Azerbaijan and Armenia for a successful 8-day dialogue and retreat during which the participants explored their thoughts about the conflict and each other, as well as discussed the challenges Nagorno-Karabakh conflict poses for two societies. For more information on the program please visit Imagine website at www.imaginedialogue.com

The aim of the Imagine Retreat and Dialogue is to lay a foundation for open communication by empowering Armenians and Azerbaijanis with conflict resolution skills. Though this experientially based retreat and dialogue focuses upon the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict, it will do so in a non-political manner that promotes no political agenda or particular position. The workshop will be led by a three-person team of co-facilitators (one American, one Armenian, and one Azerbaijani) with significant academic and practical experience in conflict resolution. The program will also include periodic follow-up activities during the 2008-2009 academic year.

Twelve scholarships are currently available for this year: Six for Azerbaijani students, and six for Armenian students. All winners will receive meals, round-trip travel support, and accommodations for the weeklong workshop.

Students interested in applying please fill out the enclosed program application and send it together with your CV to facilitators@imaginedialogue.com by the closing date of Monday, March 30, 2008.

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• Create a network of professionals and individuals across the conflict lines committed to dialogue and who have the potential to directly or indirectly influence the peace process and contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

• Change negative attitudes and break stereotypes about each other among young leaders of Armenian and Azerbaijani societies and assist them to move from a zero sum view of the conflict (when one side wins while the other loses) to a cooperative and mutually beneficial (win-win) view.

• Jointly generate new learning and ideas that take needs, concerns and hopes of both sides into consideration, and that can be used in the peace process.

With idealism in heart but realism in mind, 'Imagine' is devoted to laying foundations for lasting peace in the Caucasus by empowering the Armenian and Azerbaijani youth to learn to understand and trust each other through dialogue. Its goal is to change the way people in the region look at the conflict: away from adversarial approaches, towards peaceful and cooperative solutions.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan reaches far back in time and deep into the souls of people living there. We at Imagine believe that peaceful and sustainable resolution of the conflict can be achieved if and when Azerbaijani and Armenian societies develop an improved understanding of each other's needs, concerns and fears and cooperate to find a solution to the conflict together.

'Imagine' is a non-political organization and has no particular position or preference in regard to the final settlement of the Armenian - Azerbaijani conflict.