KAMPOS, CYPRUS | Seeds from the Middle East, South Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States took part in an eight-day advanced leadership program held in a village in the Troodos Mountains on the island of Cyprus.
This is the first time this program, which is also held every summer at the Seeds of Peace Camp in Maine, has been held outside of Camp for all delegations.
The 29 high-school age Seeds who attended the August 20-28 Paradigm Shifters program took part in advanced leadership and “Unleashing Change” sessions that integrate dialogue and workshops. The Seeds covered topics including active and applied leadership and leadership styles, active listening, collaborative problem solving, and peer support and understanding. Nine facilitators from around the world helped lead the program.
During the Unleashing Change sessions, Seeds took part in dialogue and workshops dedicated to the exploration of identities, communities, and global issues and concepts. They also gave presentations on issues affecting their communities and shared ways to engage them effectively. Seeds also received tools to better understand cultural modes of communication, community action, and organizing within their local context.
“It was incredible to see how engaged and challenged the kids were in discussing community issues from around the world,” said Seeds of Peace’s Orlando Arellano, who organized the Paradigm Shifters program.
“Jumping from Brexit, to Black Lives Matter, to occupation, to Kashmir, to the refugee crisis, the diversity of this group really provided a next-level, mature dialogue that allowed Seeds to both connect and confront the most pressing issues of our time.”
In addition to the dialogue session, the Seeds took part in the Unleashing Change program, which explores a range of topics including community action and organizing as well as issues around community and identity. Participants also acquired tools and skills for action-oriented thinking and communication.
“We witnessed tremendous discussions and growth that not only stimulated hope, but a call to action,” said Arellano.
Seeds from every delegation represented at Camp the last few summers took part in the program, including Maine and Syracuse. For many of the Americans, it was their first time outside the United States.
The program was held at a school in the village of Kampos, and participants spent time learning about the conflict in Cyprus, touring the divided city of Nicosia and the United Nations buffer zone. The Seeds were hosted by the Home for Cooperation, an organization that builds bridges between the north and south sides of the island. They also took part in workshops led by the Cyprus Association for Historical Dialogue and Research. Cypriot Seeds helped organize much of the week’s logistics and local partnerships.
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