JERUSALEM | To conclude summer programming in the Middle East, nearly 100 Palestinian and Israeli Seeds who graduated from the Seeds of Peace Camp in 2007 and 2008 participated in a Field Seminar from August 14-17.
The Field Seminar derived its name from the Rumi poem that has become a part of the Seeds of Peace philosophy: “Outside ideas of right doing and wrong doing, there is a field; I will meet you there.” This seminar succeeded in creating the “field” in which the work of the Seeds could continue to grow. The four-day event provided an opportunity for Seeds to deepen their understanding of the “other side” through intensive dialogue sessions, while allowing friends to reunite and further foster cross-border relationships.
Seeds used this opportunity to delve deeply into the issues they face as young people living in conflict, and assess the challenges that go along with this since their Camp participation. These committed Seeds shared fears, hopes and ideas for how to deepen cross-cultural understanding and lead their communities towards greater mutual respect. They also had a chance to talk with each other about the challenges and stereotypes they encounter as Seeds from those who do not support dialogue with the “other side.”
Seeds of Peace-trained facilitators, older Seeds and staff worked with counterparts from the Givat Haviva Education Foundation to lead intense and important dialogue sessions—critical and direct dialogue—during the first three days. This program was generously funded by the Edmond J. Safra Foundation.
Outside of dialogue, the Field Seminar encouraged teamwork, communication, leadership development and trust-building through a series of competitions and challenges. Participants were coached by eight older Seeds in an intense two-day Color Games competition, modeled after the Camp experience, that united Israelis and Palestinians on the same team in a range of athletic and artistic events. Seeds also formed small bi-national (Israeli/Palestinian) teams to build usable rafts to race down the Jordan River, a task that included spending the final night of the seminar camped out in tents. To conclude their time together, Seeds participated in a large-scale group challenge event which incorporated high ropes elements and other team-building activities.
One of the exciting outcomes of the Field Seminar is the launching of the Program Leaders Initiative. Thirty-five Israeli and Palestinian Seeds emerged as Program Leaders, forming a tight group that will lead and continue collaboration and skill-building with a focus on mentoring younger Seeds. This group is now working closely with staff to empower and encourage our newest camp graduates to take on leadership roles in their communities, organize presentations within their schools and continue to spread the message to other youth who do not have the opportunity to attend the summer camp in Maine.
