Seeds of Peace: A Global Mission

Programs by Region

The Middle East

Since the first 46 Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian Seeds of Peace graduates stood on the White House lawn in 1993 to witness the historic Palestinian-Israeli peace accords signing, the Middle East has remained the primary focus of the organization's efforts. In support of the Middle East program as its major initiative, Seeds of Peace established a 5,000 square-foot Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem with activities spanning the region for its 2,000 Arab and Israeli graduates. Voices of Seeds graduates are heard throughout the year in television interviews, public appearances, and newspaper editorials. Monthly school presentations and theater productions by teams of Arab and Israeli Seeds are teaching thousands of elementary and high school children the value of coexistence. Advanced conflict resolution sessions, arts projects, intensive seminars on subjects like the media and religion, and high-level meetings with politicians and intellectuals provide continuing education for our graduates. Click here for information on the Middle East program and Jerusalem Center for Coexistence. [0]

India and Pakistan

Seeds of Peace launched an unprecedented coexistence program for Indian and Pakistani youth in 2001. Though these historic enemies and nuclear powers have discouraged people-to-people encounters, over 100 India and Pakistani teenagers have graduated from this program. Weekly facilitated discussions, video messages and homestays are part of their ongoing coexistence work. Click here for information on the India and Pakistan program. [0]

Afghanistan

the summer of 2002, with support from the new government of Afghanistan, including the Foreign Minister, the Embassy in Washington, DC, and the Ministry of Education in Kabul; the U.S. State Department, Bureau of South Asian Affairs, Office of Public Diplomacy, the newly opened U.S. Embassy in Kabul; and the U.S. Embassies/Consulates in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore that hosted the youth as they traveled from Afghanistan through Pakistan to the U.S., Seeds of Peace welcomed the first ever Afghan delegation of a diverse group of six boys, six girls, and two delegation leaders to Seeds of Peace camp in Maine. Since then, these youth and subsequent Afghan delegations have participated in the program. Following he camp program, the Afghan graduates are meeting in their home communities to explore ways to spread the message of hope and non-violent conflict resolution. Click here for information on the Afghan program. [0]

Cyprus

In 1998, at the request of United States government officials, Seeds of Peace designed a pilot focused on the conflict in Cyprus. The program's success demonstrated that the Seeds of Peace model could be translated into other regions of international conflict. Since then, more than 200 Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Greek and Turkish Seeds graduates have returned home where they are active organizers and participants in bi-communal activities, working together to promote the reconciliation required for coexistence. Click here for information on the Cyprus program. [0]

Balkans

Seeds of Peace extended its conflict resolution model in 2000 to war-ravaged South East Europe, gathering 75 youth for a Balkans program. Since that time, the Seeds camp in Maine has graduated more than 200 teens representing the Balkans’ most divided and isolated communities and a broad socio-economic and geographic spectrum of the Balkans. These Seeds graduates are now active participants in follow-up programs designed to restore trust among their communities and to build for the future. Click here for information on the Balkan program. [0]

Maine Seeds

In 2000, Seeds of Peace created a domestic program designed to address ethnic and racial tensions between diverse communities in the United States. This program works with youth from the cities of Portland and Lewiston, in the camp's home state of Maine, where an influx of African and Asian immigrants has heightened tensions. These Seeds are recognized as young community leaders. During the year, they run peer education workshops in schools, lecture across the state and take part in enhanced conflict resolution sessions. Click here for information on Maine Seeds. [0]

Beyond Borders

In 2004, Seeds of Peace launched a groundbreaking exchange program to create an environment for honest and constructive dialogue between Arabs and Americans. Sixty teenagers and 20 adults from across the United States and the Arab world, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Egypt and Jordan, will meet for a two-week session at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine. Following, in 2005, the group will reconvene in Jordan for a week of intensive dialogue sessions, leadership training, and continued activism. Seeds of Peace is uniquely positioned to foster the understanding, cooperation and collaboration required to realize the shared goals of stability and prosperity. Click here for more information on Beyond Borders. [0]