Founded in 1993, Seeds of Peace is dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence.
Over the last decade, Seeds of Peace has intensified its impact, dramatically increasing the number of participants, represented nations and programs.
From 46 Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian teenagers in 1993, the organization still focuses on the Middle East but has expanded its programming to include young leaders from South Asia, Cyprus and the Balkans. Its leadership network now encompasses over 3,500 young people from several conflict regions.
The Seeds of Peace internationally recognized program model begins at the International Camp in Maine and continues through follow-up programming with international youth conferences, regional workshops, educational and professional opportunities, and an adult educator program. This comprehensive system allows participants to develop empathy, respect, and confidence as well as leadership, communication and negotiation skills — all critical components that will facilitate peaceful coexistence for the next generation.
Programs at a Glance
The Middle East Program
Seeds of Peace has focused primarily on bringing Arab and Israeli teenagers together before fear, mistrust and prejudice blind them from seeing the human face of their enemy. Seeds of Peace goes beyond international agreements and treaties. It reverses the legacy of hatred by nurturing lasting friendships that become the basis for mutual understanding and respect. By training these young leaders in conflict resolution skills, Seeds of Peace helps them become the seeds from which an enduring peace will grow.
Each year more than 300 outstanding Egyptian, Israeli, Jordanian, Palestinian, and other Middle Eastern teenagers are chosen from more than 2,000 applicants to participate in the program. Selected by their respective governments without regard to economic or social background, and based solely on academic performance and leadership ability, these young people are destined to become tomorrow's leaders.
Seeds of Peace: An International Model
Due to its proven impact and success in the Middle East, Seeds of Peace has earned international recognition as an effective model for resolving conflict worldwide.
Due to its success, in 1998, Seeds of Peace started branching out to other conflict regions. Seeds of Peace now hosts a Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot delegation each summer as well as participants from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, the former Yugoslavia (including Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo) and Romania.
In 2001, Seeds of Peace began its South Asia program with Indian and Pakistani youth and in 2002, Seeds of Peace expanded welcoming an Afghan delegation to the Seeds of Peace International Camp.
Seeds of Peace also runs a domestic program called "Maine Seeds" to address ethnic and racial tensions between the diverse communities that have settled in the camp's home state of Maine. In addition, in 2004, Seeds of Peace launched "Beyond Borders" which brings teens from additional Middle East countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabic, and Kuwait to participate in a cultural exchange program between American and Arab youth.
Since 1993, over 3,500 teens from 25 nations have graduated from Seeds of Peace. Click here to learn more about the Seeds of Peace programs by region.
