Challenging students to simplify their lives, disconnect their cell phones, and experience the vision of One Family under God, the first Global Peace Volunteer Camp convened in Bandung, Indonesia, on February 26-27, 2011. Fifty students from the Institute Manajeman Telkom, Muhammadiyah University, Padjadjaran University, the London School, and Universitas Nasional explored the role of volunteer service in peacemaking at the camp, hosted by the Global Peace Festival-Indonesia with the support of Institute Manajeman Telkom.

Inspirational lectures and videos encouraged students to be future leaders by recognizing the importance of character as the foundation for genuine leadership. "True love is grounded in good character," GPVC Education Director James Poon told them, saying that maturity and an ethic of living for others was “a foundation for successful marriage and citizenship to build a nation of prosperity.”

0	Global Peace Volunteer Camp participants learned through lectures, group discussions and community service projects.

Through team sports competitions and revealing group discussions that explored the many trials that make life beautiful and meaningful, the diverse students grew close in heart, supporting and encouraging each other like brothers and sisters in a big family. Participants were also touched by the video “Ryan’s Well,” which told the story of a seven-year-old boy following his dream to help African children get clean drinking water by helping build wells.

Service was an integral part of the camp experience. Inspired by the story of Ryan’s well, participants found that community service was a ready way to practice “true love action.” Some gave time to help a father of three who started work at 3AM and worked soometimes as late as 10PM, yet who’s income was only Rp25000 or less than US $3 per day. The students’ efforts even touched a community member who joined the project after seeing the example of the camp participants.

The Global Peace Volunteer Camp organizers were grateful to the Institute Manajeman Telkom Head of Student Affairs, Mr. Herry, and to Mr. Cucu, an Institute representative who in opening remarks expressed his appreciation to work with the Global Peace Festival Foundation to educate Indonesian university students in character building and service to others. Many participants expressed their hope to organize future Global Peace Volunteer Camps at their universities.