Seeds of Peace

Program Overview

Seeds of Peace was founded with the mission to empower the next generation of leaders living in regions of conflict. In 2001, in recognition of higher education’s central role in leadership development, Seeds of Peace created an Education Program to support opportunities for educational advancement for its graduates.

The Seeds of Peace Education Program is having a tremendous impact, both educationally and professionally, on our Seeds. In turn, these "Seeds Scholars" are making an extraordinary impact on their campus communities by creating dialogue groups, organizing cultural events, and participating in student government, athletic teams and campus clubs. Many of our Seeds are on the Dean's List or Honor Roll at their schools and have received distinguished awards including the Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Award, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the Outstanding International Student Award. Equipped with both academic strength and a renewed confidence, these graduates will return to their home countries prepared to join the new generation of international leaders.

Seeds of Peace has not only met the initial goals of the Seeds of Peace Education Program, it has far surpassed them. The Seeds of Peace Education Program has grown in just four years, from approximately 18 Seeds graduates studying in the United States to a multi-faceted, higher education and leadership-training program with over 400 Seeds participating. There are Seeds from the Middle East, South Asia, Cyprus and the Balkans currently studying at high schools, colleges and universities across the United States, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, Princeton, MIT, Georgetown, University of Pennsylvania (The Wharton School), University of Virginia and Philips Exeter.

Seeds of Peace also works hard to support Seeds pursuing education at home. Through a generous grant given by the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, Seeds of Peace was able to expand the Education Program to provide tuition scholarships for Seeds alumni studying in their respective regions. In the last two academic years, Seeds of Peace designated scholarships for sixteen Israeli and Palestinian women attending university in the Middle East. Additionally, through a matching grant by board members Jane and Bob Toll, Seeds of Peace was able to provide an equal number of scholarships for male Seeds alumni. The universities that the students attended include: Al Aqsa University, Al Azhar University in Gaza, American University in Beirut, Technion, American University in Cairo, An-Najah University, Bar-Ilan University, Ben Gurion University, Bethlehem University, Birzeit University, Haifa University, Hebrew University, Islamic University in Gaza, Jordan University of Science and Technology, University of Jordan, and University of Sharjah.

In addition to providing educational opportunities to students, who in most cases would not otherwise have them available, these Seed scholars represent the best and brightest Seeds of Peace graduates who are vocal and prominent figures on their campuses and in their classrooms. United through a nationwide network, these students are working to raise awareness about the Middle Eastern and South Asian conflicts on their college campuses, as well as working to encourage campus activism that promotes tolerance, respect, and coexistence. Seeds graduates at many campuses have started Seeds of Peace clubs promoting these ideals.

These young adults are uniquely qualified to heighten global awareness and advance global perspectives on American campuses and their surrounding communities. Seeds scholars give frequent presentations about Seeds of Peace around the United States, as well as implement campus initiatives, such as Jewish/ Arab dialogues, conferences and seminars. These activities serve to not only cultivate and enhance their communication and leadership skills, but also spread the message of Seeds of Peace to thousands of their peers.

It is perhaps most impressive just to see these students together—nowhere else are Egyptians, Indians, Israelis, Jordanians, Pakistanis, and Palestinians coming together in such a fashion. Not only does this team operate as a working model of coexistence, publicly displaying their ability to transcend the historical barriers of hatred plaguing their regions, but they are working to spread a message that embodies the values of Seeds of Peace, including religious pluralism, diversity, and tolerance.

The next phase of the Seeds of Peace Education Program will focus on the following three elements:

I. Application Guidance

Seeds of Peace is maximizing efforts to provide Seeds alumni with educational opportunities unavailable to them in their home countries. The Education Program assists Seeds graduates in the secondary school, college, and university application process and works closely with many top colleges and universities in the United States to introduce them to the Seeds of Peace program and the Seeds applicant pool. Any secondary school, college or university is enriched by a Seeds of Peace presence.

Navigating the university application and admission processes can be tricky, particularly with unfamiliar foreign educational systems. At the most basic level, Seeds of Peace provides interested alumni with guidance on the college admission and financial aid processes, through online advising and regional workshops. 

II. Program Opportunities

The priority of Seeds of Peace has always been to constantly engage its alumni in meaningful programs and projects that keep them connected to each other and to the organization, and that offer them ways to continue contributing to their communities.

Internships
Seeds of Peace works hard to utilize its network and place its graduates in summer internships. In the past, Seeds of Peace was able to place several of its graduates in comprehensive internships in Washington, DC, through a partnership with the Young President’s Organization. Seeds graduates were placed in various businesses associated with the Young President’s Organization.

III. Scholarship Opportunities

The Gould Shenfeld Scholarship
The University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan and Lehigh University offer the “Gould-Shenfeld Family Foundation International Peace Scholarship” for a Seed at each university who will fit the criteria for admission. This scholarship covers “tuition, room and board, travel and special expenses” for the full four years of attendance.

The Gould-Shenfeld Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student with a preference given to Seeds of Peace graduates from the Middle East, or if no applicants are available, then to a student with the same passion for peaceful coexistence. This is a needs based scholarship.

To be eligible for aid, students must apply and be admissible according to the regular application process of the Office of Admission. Financial aid eligibility is determined using the International Student Financial Aid Form and Certificate of Finances. Aid eligibility is based on need and evaluated annually.

Selection decisions are made entirely by the staff at each university according to their standard application process and criteria.

Philips Exeter Academy
Philips Exeter Academy, a prestigious co-educational residential school in New Hampshire, offers Seeds graduates from the Middle East and South Asia the opportunity to apply for full scholarships to attend high school (9th to 12th grades, and post graduate level). Since 2002 Afghan, Palestinian, and Yemeni Seeds of Peace graduates have greatly enriched campus life at Exeter and many have gone on to pursue undergraduate education in the United States on merit-based scholarships at schools such as Dartmouth College, Wellesley College, and Manhattanville College among many others. Exeter now also offers scholarships for a five week program during the summer.

Seeds graduates interested in this opportunity should apply directly to Phillips Exeter Academy. Selection decisions are made entirely by the staff of Exeter according to their standard application process of the Office of Admissions; however, applicants should be sure to mention that they are a member of Seeds of Peace.