Three hundred children representing each of World Vision Lebanon's nine community development projects and its refugee programme learned tolerance and an appreciation for diversity at a cultural event organised to commemorate World Refugee Day.

The Jiran bala Jidran event, which was held in the UNESCO Palace in Beirut Friday, featured special songs and traditional dances prepared by Lebanese and Palestinian children to break down barriers and build friendships.

'I would like to tell other people that Palestinians are very good people,' said Nihal Kaddoura, a 13-year-old Palestinian refugee from the Burj al Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp who performed as part of an all-girl debkeh traditional dance group.

Over the past few weeks, Lebanese children involved in the project have been learning through videos and other tools about Palestinian refugee children and the challenges they face.

"Since we can't help the Palestinian children politically, at least we can support them in other areas,' said Husein el Khazen, 13, from World Vision's Ain el Remaneh community development project. 'We wrote a song about children's rights.'

This event was part of World Vision's National Children's Council project, a year-long initiative which brings together 300 children from many regions of Lebanon to share their thoughts about issues that affect them, and build relationships with children from different backgrounds.

"Tolerance between children from all backgrounds, faiths and regions of Lebanon is one important way World Vision strives to bring hope to children,' said Dalia Lakis, a Palestinian refugee project manager with World Vision Lebanon. 'With Jiran bala Jidran, World Vision created an opportunity for Palestinian and Lebanese children and youth to learn to value, respect and understand each other and their cultures. In doing so, we hope to provide a foundation for peace.'