OTISFIELD, MAINE | Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian, Moroccan, Yemeni, Indian, Pakistani, Afghan and American youth will once again meet as Seeds of Peace opens its 12th season with a unifying flag-raising ceremony at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Otisfield, Maine.
There will be over 175 campers during the camp's first session, including Palestinians from throughout the West Bank.
The flag-raising ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 23 at 9:00 am outside the main entrance of the camp facility in Otisfield, Maine. During the ceremony, each delegation will sing their national anthem and the ceremony will conclude with the raising of the Seeds of Peace flag and singing of its anthem.
After the ceremony and during the three weeks at camp, the only flag that flies is the Seeds of Peace flag symbolizing the importance of coexistence and understanding.
Seeds of Peace President, Aaron David Miller, and Camp Director, Tim Wilson, will speak at the opening ceremony. This first session of camp runs from June 21 through July 14 and culminates in a trip to Washington, D.C., where campers will meet with US and international dignitaries. A second session of the Seeds of Peace International Camp with delegates from the Middle East and Cyprus will begin on July 19 and run through August 11.
During the camp's third session, Seeds of Peace will be launching Beyond Borders, a groundbreaking exchange program that will help foster understanding and cooperation between Arabs and Americans that has been so disrupted after September 11th.
From August 14 through August 30, 2004, 60 teens and 20 adult education officials from the U.S., Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Egypt and Jordan will spend two weeks at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine. The two-week session will culminate in a visit to Boston. This program will continue in March 2005 with the participants reconvening in Jordan for a week of intensive dialogue sessions and leadership training.
Since 1993, Seeds of Peace has graduated over 2,500 teenagers from four conflict regions from its internationally recognized leadership program. Through its International Camp in Maine, its Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem, international youth conferences, regional workshops, educational and professional opportunities, and adult educator programs, participants develop empathy, respect, and confidence as well as leadership, communication and negotiation skills all critical components that will ensure peaceful coexistence for the next generation.
The Seeds of Peace International Camp is located at 183 Powhatan Road in Otisfield, Maine. For more information please visit http://www.seedsofpeace.org/ or call Rebecca Hankin, Director of Communications at (207) 627-7202, (917) 806-2380, or rebecca@seedsofpeace.org.