Forum on Conflict and Diplomacy

Left: Seated (from left to right) HE Silvan Shalom, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, HE Ahmad Aboul Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Mr. Aaron David Miller, Seeds of Peace President, The Hon. James A. Baker, III, 61st Secretary of State, HE Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League, HE Marwan Muasher, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan, and Mr. Nabil Shaath, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority.

Center: Israeli and Palestinian Seeds with Secretary Baker and Aaron David Miller.

Right: Secretary James A. Baker delivering speech, "The Art of Diplomacy: Building Blocks for Sound Negotiations."

On Monday, September 20, Seeds of Peace had the pleasure of hearing from The Honorable James A. Baker, III, the 61st U.S. Secretary of State (1989-1992) at the Seeds of Peace Forum on Conflict and Diplomacy. This remarkable event brought together many of the world’s top diplomats to hear from Secretary Baker on his methods of negotiation as well allowed them an opportunity to show their support for Seeds of Peace and its graduates.

In an unprecedented showing of support, seated together at the luncheon were Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian and Jordanian foreign ministers as well as HE Amr Moussa, Secretary-General of the Arab-League. Additional diplomatic representatives in attendance were from Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Pakistan, Serbia and Montenegro, Ukraine, and Yemen in addition to a number of Seeds of Peace graduates.

CBS, CNN, FOX News, the Associated Press, and press from the Middle East attended as well to cover the event. The Seeds of Peace Forum on Conflict and Diplomacy is a nonpartisan educational forum that provides a platform for thoughtful discussion about strategies to promote negotiations and resolve conflict. As an extension of Seeds of Peace’s demonstrated ability to empower young leaders, the Forum brings together statesmen, negotiators and experts from across the international arena to participate in a variety of public events in which they will share their personal experiences and methodologies on conflict and diplomacy.

This lecture with Secretary Baker was the second in a series; the inaugural lecture took place in April 2004, with former U.S. Senator and Northern Ireland peace envoy George J. Mitchell.

Click here [1] to read Secretary Baker's remarks from this event.