About 1,000 children and young people from more than 30 countries gathered in Marina Kaštela for this year’s Calm Sea – Peace Fleet sailing project, with ACI once again among the long-term supporters of the initiative. Held from 19 to 26 September, the project brought together participants from socially vulnerable groups, children and young people with disabilities and developmental difficulties, and others from different cultural and social backgrounds.
The international project has been connecting participants through sailing, educational activities and socialising for more than 30 years, with a focus on peace, tolerance and social inclusivity.
Marina Kaštela hosts sailing, workshops and shared life on board
The Calm Sea – Peace Fleet project was founded in 1994 to connect children and young people from war-affected areas. Over time, it developed into an international initiative promoting solidarity, mutual understanding and acceptance of diversity through sailing.
Since 2013, Marina Kaštela has hosted the main part of the programme. Alongside sailing, participants take part in workshops, concerts and other activities.
Living on a boat gives children and young people the chance to build independence, responsibility and mutual trust. Through everyday tasks such as preparing meals and raising the sails, they learn to cooperate, overcome language and cultural differences, and form friendships that extend beyond borders.
ACI highlights long-term cooperation and shared values
At the press conference marking this year’s edition of the project, Ante Bačić, director of ACI Marina Trogir, expressed ACI’s support and pointed to the importance of long-term cooperation and the values promoted by the Peace Fleet.
“Once again this year, ACI has had the pleasure to lend its support to the Calm Sea – Friedensflotte project, with which we have a long-standing and successful cooperation. We are especially happy that, through this project, the sea becomes a place of encounters and connections, a place where new friendships are forged by children and youth with different backgrounds. We are proud to be able to contribute to an initiative that promotes togetherness, tolerance, inclusivity and peace, and we will continue to support projects in the future that make positive changes and promote values we share as well,” Bačić said.
Support also included berths in Rovinj and Pula
ACI’s support for this year’s Peace Fleet also included daily berths for project participants in ACI marinas Rovinj and Pula in May. The company said this support helped participants during their stay on the Adriatic and contributed to activities focused on social inclusivity and bringing people together.
By continuing its partnership with the Calm Sea – Peace Fleet project, ACI says it remains committed to socially responsible activities and initiatives that make the sea and sailing accessible to children and young people from different backgrounds.
Source/Photo: Aci Marinas
