2025 Spring Benefit recognizes the ‘believers and doers’

May 28, 2025 / No Comments

NEW YORK | Over 270 supporters, friends, and alumni of Seeds of Peace gathered in New York City on May 27 to honor the past, present, and future of the organization while helping raise over $1.1M for the organization’s mission.

The 2025 Spring Benefit Dinner, hosted by MSNBC’s Ali Velshi, was filled with music, reflection, and purpose—honoring the transformative power of dialogue, the legacy of leadership, and the resilience of a global community committed to peace.

“Tonight is something rare,” said Velshi. “Different backgrounds, different politics—but united by a shared hope and by Seeds of Peace’s invitation to imagine and build a different future.”

The evening honored Seeds of Peace’s programming team around the world, from South Asia to the the Middle East to the United States, who have, in the face of unimaginable challenges, remained steadfast in their mission.

Seeds representing different eras of the organization’s history, from 1994-2024, shared deeply personal testimonies about how their Seeds of Peace experiences have shaped their lives and inspired their work as changemakers in their communities.

The room was brought to its feet by stirring performances from Anuradha “Juju” Palakurthi, accompanied by rapper Xenai and composer Ishaan Chhabra. Their music, rooted in Indian culture, embodied the spirit of courage and connection. Equally moving was the performance by the internationally acclaimed Palestinian-Israeli Jerusalem Youth Chorus, founded by American Seed Micah Hendler.

“This evening is about the believers and doers,” said Seeds of Peace Executive Director Eva Armour.

Seeds of Peace Board Chair Sandra Wijnberg received the John P. Wallach Peacemaker Award in recognition of her commitment to fostering understanding and peacebuilding, including her work with the Office of the Quartet in Jerusalem promoting economic development to advance Middle East peace.

“This organization has proven its resiliency over 30 years—through times of great hope and great despair,” said Sandra. “Tonight is a tribute to everyone who believes as [Seeds of Peace founder] John Wallach did in the importance of investing in the next generation.”

The event also celebrated a tireless advocate for youth diplomacy and dialogue, the Honorable Jay T. Snyder, who was introduced in a video message from Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as Timothy (Tim) P. Wilson, the longtime Seeds of Peace Camp Director whose leadership has shaped generations of young peacebuilders.

This evening was more than a celebration: it was a renewal of our shared commitment to a more just and peaceful future with those who continue to invest in the work of Seeds of Peace.

VIDEO: Meet Your Peace Hero (Dr. Ira Helfand)

Apr 21, 2025 / No Comments

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Ira Helfand spoke with Seeds on April 21, 2025, about his advocacy for the responsible use of nuclear power.

Helfand co-founded Physicians for Social Responsibility and is one of the past presidents of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which received the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize.

He is also a member of the International Steering Group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, which also received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.

VIDEO: Can International Friendships Change the World? | TEDx

Mar 13, 2025 / No Comments

Pakistani Seed Rumi reflects on his experiences meeting Indian campers at the Seeds of Peace Camp in Maine last summer. “Sometimes, all it takes is one experience to challenge everything we thought we knew. For me, that experience came in the most unexpected way: at a camp where I found myself questioning everything that I had grown up believing.”

Grassroots peacebuilding the bedrock of a lasting peace | Arab News

Feb 11, 2025 / No Comments

For now, the prospect of reaching a peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a remote possibility. However, while many feel sheer despair, the present moment is also an opportunity to revisit what has gone badly wrong over more than 30 years of attempts to reach a lasting peace between the two sides.

There is little doubt in my mind that, while the architects of the 1993 Oslo Accords on both sides were committed to the necessary compromises required to reach a final status agreement, they failed to achieve this because they believed in an “elite peace.” In their focus on pushing forward the peace process, they neglected the need to build a critical mass of support for this long and hazardous journey through closely collaborating with a civil society that could spread the message of peace far and wide.

…

And there is the 30-plus years of dedicated work by Seeds of Peace, which has brought together thousands of young people from conflict zones, many of them from Israel and Palestine, to interact with one another away from home and in a safe space. This allows them to develop trust, respect and empathy, and, most importantly, become lifelong friends and messengers of peace in their communities upon their return.

Read the rest of Yossi Mekelberg’s article in the Arab News ››

Visakhapatnam students pioneer seagrass restoration, win US fellowship | The New Indian Express

Dec 21, 2024 / No Comments

During the fellowship in the US, the quartet will exchange ideas with global climate leaders and other student innovators.

by Usha Peri

VISAKHAPATNAM: Four students from Dr Lankapalli Bullaya College in Visakhapatnam have taken a remarkable step in addressing coastal erosion and climate change by pioneering a project focused on restoring seagrass ecosystems.

Their innovative approach has not only garnered recognition but also earned them a 10-day fellowship trip to the United States, where they will collaborate with global climate experts.

The students—T Harshitha, A Tejaambika, M Ashwini, and J Karthikeya Narayana—are final year B.Sc. students specialising in Biotechnology, Microbiology, and Chemistry.

Their ambitious project, titled ‘Pioneering Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Restoring Seagrass Meadows on Visakhapatnam Coast,’ was part of the Climate Tank Accelerator competition. This initiative, organised by the Student Society for Climate Change Awareness (SSCCA) in collaboration with Seeds of Peace USA, brought together young innovators from five South Asian countries to develop practical solutions to climate challenges.

The Visakhapatnam team stood out among competitors, securing $1,000 in seed funding and the chance to present their work alongside winning teams from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Their focus on seagrass meadows, which absorb 33% more carbon dioxide than terrestrial plants, highlights the vital role these ecosystems play in carbon sequestration and coastal protection.

To implement their project, the team sourced two seagrass species, Halophila ovalis and Halodule pinifolia, from Odisha’s Chilika Lagoon. They acclimatised the plants using local seawater, sediment, and seaweed-based fertilisers, and enhanced their growth with visible light and artificial CO2 generated through a DIY setup. Months of rigorous research, starting in April 2024 under the guidance of faculty member B Madhavi, were met with challenges such as adverse weather delays. However, the team’s perseverance led to the successful demonstration of seagrass restoration along Visakhapatnam’s coast.

“Seagrass meadows offer a natural and effective solution to coastal erosion and climate change. They protect shorelines and enhance carbon absorption, benefiting the environment significantly,” the students explained.

Community engagement was an integral part of their efforts. The team organised art exhibitions, public talks, and educational campaigns to raise awareness about seagrass’ importance in combating climate change. Their initiative also earned them second place at a national conference, further spotlighting the potential of their work.

During the fellowship in the US, the quartet will exchange ideas with global climate leaders and other student innovators.

“This opportunity will help us refine our project and inspire more community-driven conservation initiatives,” they noted. As coastal erosion continues to threaten Visakhapatnam, their project offers hope and a blueprint for actionable solutions.

Read Usha Peri’s article in The New Indian Express ››

Eva Armour named new Seeds of Peace Executive Director

Dec 18, 2024 / No Comments

Seeds of Peace is pleased to announce the appointment of Eva Armour as the organization’s next Executive Director.

Eva has devoted the last 25 years to the organization and its mission. She has served as Seeds of Peace’s Director of Multinational Programs based out of Israel and Palestine, Director of Global Programs, and most recently, as our Chief Impact Officer.

“I began my journey with Seeds of Peace in 2000 as a counselor at our Camp in Maine. The experience changed me—how I understand myself, others, and the world we live in. Perhaps most importantly, it expanded my imagination for a world that could be. I am deeply honored to continue building on the work of those before me alongside an incredible team dedicated to bridging divides through dialogue, proving every day that another way is possible.”

Alongside Seeds of Peace Chief Operating Officer Vishnu Swaminathan, Eva has led the organization over the past year.

Her deep understanding of and commitment to the organization’s mission, strategic vision, and ability to position Seeds of Peace for success makes her the right leader to expand the role of Seeds of Peace in building solidarity and inspiring action.

The organization’s ambitious plans for 2025 include:

  • growing the Seeds of Peace Camp program, engaging 50% more young leaders in a longer session than in 2024;
  • deepening its work in the Middle East, reaching thousands of Israeli and Palestinian youth, families, schools, and civic leaders;
  • investing in the leadership and impact of its alumni working to bridge divides and solve problems through dialogue;
  • expanding support for schools and educators, following trainings that brought the value and practice of dialogue to 3,000 students and teachers in the past year.

9 Organizations Promoting Peace That Are Worth Watching In 2025 | Forbes

Nov 20, 2024 / No Comments

With wars raging in the Middle East, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Yemen, with domestic polarization at a modern-day high in the United States, and with the approaching Christian and Jewish holidays, it seems a fitting time to focus a spotlight on organizations that are working for peace and the resolution of conflict around the world.

While praying for world peace and an end to national, ethnic, and religious conflicts is a good start, as Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby remind us in their recent book, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew, actions are more important than words. Getting involved with and supporting organizations that fight discrimination and promote peaceful dialogue can do more to change the world.

Some of those organizations are: …

Like many aspects of civil society, desired for improvements often depend on having the right leaders. One organization, which is dedicated to leadership development in this area is Seeds of Peace. Based in New York, Seeds of Peace is committed to transforming legacies of conflict into courage to lead change. Its network of over 8,000 alumni from its Peace Camp hail from the Middle East, South Asia, Europe and the United States. After attending camp, these young leaders engage in hundreds of local community dialogues and trainings, tours of conflict zones, and mediation and negotiation seminars.

Read the rest of Timothy J. McClimon’s article at Forbes ››

South Asia programs explore many paths to peace

Oct 26, 2024 / No Comments

New and innovative programs are reaching hundreds of youth in India, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries.

The Seeds of Peace Camp in Maine is the beginning of the programming road Seeds of Peace participants in South Asia. Since this summer, much has happened, despite the ongoing political strains between the neighboring states.

Seeds of Peace India

Earlier this year, Seeds of Peace India partnered with the Canada-based Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness (SCSC) to help evaluate Seeds of Peace’s interfaith camp programs. Through an SCSC Belonging Fellowship, Pallavi Singh studied the programs and made recommendations about how to gauge their impact.

The SCSC fellowship culminated in an Interfaith Camp alumni event in Mumbai on August 17 during which participants, parents, and staff from past Interfaith Camps were invited to share their experiences. More than 30 people came together at the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind in Tardeo to reflect about how the program impacted their lives.

A second Seeds of Peace India alumni meet-up was organized on the occasion of World Peace Day on September 22. Around 50 alumni and members of the Seeds of Peace community celebrated the idea of peace together and share their favorite Seeds of Peace memories at Synergy Maritime Recruitment Services in Powai.

During the last week of September, Seeds of Peace India held three 2½-hour workshops to introduce fundamental concepts like peace, conflict, prejudice, and gender dynamics to over 90 eighth grade students. These Promise of Peace workshops were held at the Galaxy Schools of Education Systems campus in the city of Rajkot, north of Mumbai.

Seeds of Peace India participated for the first time at an NGO Mela (fair) at the Bombay International School, a long-time partner institution, on October 12. Staff set up a stall and spoke to fair attendees about Seeds of Peace programs and philosophy and raised money by selling branded merchandise.

In partnership with the Centre for Resource Development for Educators, Seeds of Peace India held two events on October 15 to engage new educators to better understand their perspectives on peaceful classrooms as well as to introduce them to Seeds of Peace: a Teacher’s Engagement Program at the National Gallery of Modern Art and a Principals’ Townhall on Creating a Culture of Peace at Dosti House, the library at the United States Consulate in Mumbai.

October ended with the launch of the first module of Seeds of Peace’s Core Leadership Program. The Be The Change Leadership Program took place from October 19-20 with 21 participants from grades 8 to 10.

The other two Core Leadership Program modules, Media and Peace and Leaders for Peace, are scheduled to take place in November and December 2024 respectively. Also coming up is the inaugural edition of Teach Peace, a residential workshop for educators which is designed to introduce them to tools of dialogue and facilitation to create safe classrooms.

Meanwhile, preparations for the binational South Asia Regional Leadership Camp and the Negotiation for Young Leaders programs, which are scheduled to take place in January 2025, are in full swing on both sides of the border.

Seeds of Peace Pakistan

Beyond the Classroom, Seeds of Peace’s program partner in Pakistan for many years, has been equally busy since the summer and the Seeds of Peace Camp, holding online delegation meetups and launching a Peace Ambassador Program.

After Camp, 18 Seeds took part in social action projects linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and aimed at solidifying skills in leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Through reflective activities, project proposals, and discussions, the program fosters an understanding of diverse perspectives and encourages youth-led initiatives that benefit their communities.

Beyond the Classroom led the way for the Regional Leadership Camp and the Negotiation for Young Leaders Program in Pakistan, organizing more than 20 orientation sessions in Lahore and more than 10 in Karachi, and promoting the Regional Leadership Camp at school expos in both cities.

As a result of this outreach, nearly 600 students from all over the country, including Jhelum, Multan, Beerpur, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Khanewal, Chitral, Mirpur, and Multan, applied to the attend the programs and Seeds of Peace held selection conferences in Lahore and Karachi.

Additionally, the expansive Student Society for Climate Change Awareness Climate Tank Accelerator, which has been running for over a year with support from the US State Department, has deepened Seeds of Peace’s presence in the subcontinent.

VIDEO: VOA visits the Seeds of Peace Camp

Aug 30, 2024 / No Comments

Straight Talk Africa from VOA visits the state of Maine, where, for the last 30 years, a program gathers youth from regions worldwide that are deeply divided by conflicts. Seeds of Peace helps young people better understand one another, accept their differences and become agents of change in their communities. Vincent Makori takes us inside the Seeds of Peace summer camp, follows their daily activities and talks to camp counselors and participants about how perceptions, misconceptions and attitudes can change across conflict lines and segregated communities.