August 12 - 20, 2005
Seeds of Peace International Camp, Otisfield, Maine
DAILY SCHEDULE
Friday, August 12, 2005
After a long day of traveling, 125 Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Jordanian and American Seeds from 1993-1999 were finally back at the International Camp in Maine for the first ever Seeds of Peace Leadership Summit. It was a day of full of anticipation, excitement, hugging, and disbelief on how much everyone has grown up.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
The summit opened with a welcome address from Seeds of Peace president, Aaron David Miller. While Seeds are returning to camp for various reasons to create friendships with ‘the other side’ or to further the message of coexistence and reconciliation, it is an opportunity for Seeds to reconnect and reexamine themselves and each other as well as Seeds of Peace as an organization. Aaron affirmed that only individuals create war and stand in between hope and chaos; he encouraged Seeds to lead the organization and to invent a peaceful future. Governments can end conflict, but they cannot create transformations required to change attitudes and the character of people. Aaron encouraged Seeds to create their own network, especially in their home regions to implement the changes necessary for peace. Seeds of Peace has full confidence that these Seeds will accomplish this.
To gain professional guidance and skills in areas of interest, each day Seeds are attending a business, politics, media, or conflict resolution workshop. The workshops are run by guest speakers and workshop leaders who represent major figures within their fields. Seeds also attend sessions about the structure of Seeds of Peace as an organization to further understand Seeds of Peace functions as well as provide feedback.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Dialogue sessions met today. Dialogue sessions, led by professional facilitators and organized by an Israeli and Palestinian Seed graduates, are allowing the Seeds to express thoughts and feelings on conflict now as adults.
In the morning, a lecture was given on media and conflict resolution by Shamil Idriss, former Chief Operating Officer of Search for Common Ground. With his numerous experiences in conflict resolution, Idriss encouraged Seeds to be social entrepreneurs, creative thinkers who bridge gaps between societies.
Seeds divided into workshops following the morning speaker. In the Business Workshop, Bruce Brownstein, Director of Executive Education at the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, gave a presentation on business ethics and negotiation styles. Tim Berry, former vice president at Creative Strategies International and author of Marketing Plan Pro and Business Plan Pro software, also gave a presentation on business styles. In the Politics Workshop, Seeds brainstormed initiatives and ideas which Seeds of Peace, a non-political organization, can play in Seeds’ politically active lives. Shamil Idriss, of this morning’s lecture, ran the Media Workshop. Idriss addressed ways in which Seeds can use the media to tackle shared issues within their home region. The Conflict Resolution Workshop was lead by Arthur Martirosyan, who trains negotiators on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is the designer and manager of the Momentum Program, which offers leadership and conflict management skills. Martirosyan gave a presentation on why people use violence to settle issues, conflict management and peace, and different models and styles of negotiation.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Ken Cohen, Vice President of Public Affairs at Exxon Mobile touched on a variety of issues in his lecture that Exxon faces, including community development, environmental consequences, business ethics, marketing, foreign investment, dependence on hydrocarbon energy, and human rights. Exxon is enthusiastically recruiting Seeds with to work in their home regions and the US. Darcy Bundy, also from Exxon Mobile who is a political specialist in the Middle East for Exxon and parent of an American Seed, shared how Seeds of Peace shaped her family, giving them a new meaning and structure to life.
During afternoon workshops, Ken Tsunoda from the Young President Organization spoke to the Seeds about internships they could offer for those Seeds in the Middle East and US. In addition, during the Business Workshop, Farhad Mohit, founder of Shopzilla, a popular shopping search engine, led the Business Workshop and offered Seeds a wealth of career advice from his own experience as an entrepreneur, reminding them of the most important qualities of entrepreneurship are passion, intelligence, honesty, and diversity. Columnist Bill Nemitz from the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram led this Media Workshop on journalism. Bill focused on the ease of written communication and finding your voice as a columnist. In addition, he answered questions the Seeds had regarding his experience reporting from Iraq. Darya Shaikh, US Program Director for the Peace Works Foundation’s OneVoice Movement, gave a presentation for the Conflict Resolution Workshop. OneVoice is a key example of an organization that began only as an idea and became an effective NGO. With a deep understanding for grassroots activism for civic change, Darya’s work with OneVoice is inspiring to Seeds, showing them that on-the-ground work for peace is indeed within reach. The Politics Workshop was lead by Husam Hanna Misleh, co-director of the Palestinian American Interests Counsel. The organization’s goal is to create an umbrella organization that strongly and effectively expresses Palestinian American interest in support of Palestinian people.
"Comedy for Peace" was an evening comedy show performed by the Jewish-American and Palestinian-American comedian duo, Scott Blakeman and Dean Obeidallah. Using laughter as an antidote to violence, Scott and Dean brought ‘both sides’ together through political, territorial, and cultural humor to recognize a common aspiration for peace and joy. Yehia, a Seed alum from Egypt, thought it was great “to see all this passion brought out from people” during the comedy performance.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Ayen Tran and Michael Dibenedetto, from Chat the Planet (http://www.chattheplanet.com/), introduced the group to new technologies and how to spread understanding and cross cultural exchange. Chat the Planet is a television show and internet community that connects international youth ages 15-25. Just like Seeds of Peace, Chat the Planet uses honest dialogue about politics, relationships, and prejudices, and now, video chats, to break down barriers. Seed, Hani, a Palestinian Seed from Gaza who now studies computer engineering in Jordan said the Chat the Planet presentation was “fascinating” and “would be please to do more using their website.”
During the afternoon workshops, the Media Workshop worked with Chat the Planet and did a LIVE video chat through the Chat the Planet technology between Seeds graduates from Gaza, Israel and the media workshop group in Maine. This experience showed how Seeds will be able to use new technology in the future to communicate with each other if they can't do it physically. A big thank you goes out to Logitech who donated video cameras for each participant of this Leadership Summit!
In afternoon workshops, the Business Workshop went over objectives and goals of five business programs identified by Seeds. The programs include an educational business seminar, entrepreneurship development, alumni networking and career development, Seeds of Peace revenue generating activities, and internships with Young Presidents Organization (YPO). During the Conflict Resolution Workshop, Seeds of Peace board member, Roger Dietz shared his knowledge on alternative dispute resolution, including his experiences as a mediator. Roger discussed different degrees of models using conflict resolution involving a third party. The Politics Workshop was given by Derrek Shulman, New England Political Director for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the pro-Israeli lobby in the US. Derek introduced the work of the committee and also explained why American Jews believe in the importance for US government support to Israel.
The day ended with an "ice cream social" with the Seeds of Peace Board Members.
So far, the Leadership Summit has been incredibly productive for Seeds and the organization alike. Being back at camp this summer after a long time. Seed, Yosef, described the camp as “the best place to talk and understand each other in this mutual environment.”
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The day started with CNN broadcasting LIVE from the Seeds of Peace International Camp with two "Seeds" about their experience as older program graduates and their feelings about the situation now in Gaza.
Following, Harry Smith from the CBS Early Show, with camera crew in tow, came to meet Summit participants and interview them for a segment that ran on the Early Show Thursday morning.
Seeds of Peace board members visited the Leadership Summit today to work directly with Seeds to exchange feedback, updates, and ideas. Later, the board members observed dialogue groups to enhance their understanding of the Seeds and the issues they tackle in moderated discussions.
In the afternoon workshops, Steve Novick formerly of Grey Global Group explained the power of emotional communication and personal stories in advertising and also shared knowledge about public relations, marketing, communications, brand strategy and design. Boaz Nol, an active member in the Israeli political process, connected with Seeds in the Politics Workshop, as he urged them to be more politically involved. Moran, an Israeli Seed was inspired by Boaz saying he was “encouraging and showing us, young people, how to take on leadership roles into our own communities.” In the Conflict Resolution Workshop, Seeds began an educational, professional, and political initiative. The Business Workshop was led by Omar Salah, CEO of Star-Brands Capital. As “an extraordinary example of a person who built a successful business bridge,” Omar shared insight that Seed, Yehia believes “refreshed everyone’s creativity” and can be “applied beyond business.”
An evening presentation was given by Keith Reinhard of DDB Worldwide, who offered ideas on strong leadership networking to make a successful multinational.
The evening concluded with a fun and energetic dance party that played an eclectic mix of Israeli, Arabic, and American music.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Thursday began with a presentation by Doug Suisman, founder and principal of Suisman Urban Design. Suisman spoke about his study which was done in partnership with the Rand Corporation called The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State.
The afternoon Politics Workshop further discussed the Arc study during which Israeli Seed, Avigail was “deeply inspired and moved by [the RAND project]” as it demonstrated how “imagination can solve problems that look like they don’t have solutions.” In the Business, Media, and Conflict Resolution, participants broke into initiative groups to work on follow up programs for their respective topics that will be presented to the Summit participants on Friday.
Aaron David Miller paid a visit to the Seeds Thursday night and reminded them that only people can make change happen; “It’s not about politics, it’s not about winning, it’s about the future.”
Friday, August 19, 2005
Seeds of Peace was fortunate to have Ambassador Swanee Hunt, former US Ambassador to Austria, Harvard’s Women and Public Policy Program director, and founder and chair of Inclusive Security: Women Waging Peace, speak to the Seeds on the final day of the Summit.
After a week of compiling ideas with fellow Seeds as well as receiving guidance from major professional figures, Seeds took Aaron David Miller’s advice to “come up with bold programmatic ideas” and created comprehensive program proposals to move forward with post Summit. Presentations by each workshop on individual program initiatives were given that outlined intentions to sustain social and professional networks, accelerate professional and leadership development, and ultimately, peacefully impact regional conflict.
- The Conflict Resolution Workshop committee plans to teach core conflict resolution values, tolerance, and open-mindedness to regional non-Seeds, provide Seed professionals with a forum to network and develop conflict resolution skills, and establish an independent, multi-national association of activists. Seeds decided create education program, political activist network, and online study group on history, politics, war, treaties, and a solution to the Arab-Israeli Conflict, and conflict resolution seminars for professionals. Finally, a "Treaty Study Group" will plan a Political Treaty in Apenzell, Switzerland where they will present a final, well designed Arab-Israel treaty.
- The Politics Workshop Committee plans to work with Conflict Resolution to plan multinational seminars. Secondly, they plan to put together an Public Policy Journal, which will be used as an avenue to express opinions and influence concerning issues.
- Inspired by their workshops on advertising and marketing, the Media Workshop put together a Seeds of Peace public service announcement to demonstrate how they can market the "Seeds of Peace experience" to their peers that do not go through the camp program themselves. As projects, the Media Workshop plans to raise awareness though public service announcements, the local press, and spreading their message through online technology initiatives.
- The Business Workshop’s follow up programs focus on networking and career development, educational seminars and entrepreneurship development, Young President Organization Peace Action Network internship program, and Seeds of Peace revenue generating activities. The business workshop is spear-heading creatig an online directory that all Seeds can use and network through.
The Closing Ceremony focused on the proposal and creation of a new alumni network. The Alumni Association’s goal is to maintain social network among alumni, support regional alumni programming initiatives, provide a platform for Seeds of Peace alumni to exchange ideas and engage in projects not initiated by Seeds of Peace, and support younger Seeds graduates activity. As a governing body for the Alumni Association, it was agreed upon that the Steering Committee will be comprised of members from the Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, and Jordanian delegations to provide structure, represent the association, and make sure things happen! The proposal for the Alumni Association and Steering Committee was approved by the delegations and will begin providing structure for Seeds of Peace alumni to facilitate the continuation of efforts towards cooperation and peace.
Israeli Seed, Yaron reflected on the Leadership Summit which best summarizes the success and excitement to come from this amazing week, "It’s incredible to see the potential of the Seeds. It’s unbelievable how talented we are. The only thing we are limited by is imagination; with us, everything’s possible."
