Brochure

Courage to lead change

SEEDS OF PEACE

SEEDS OFPEACE

UNITED STATES

Seeds of Peace inspires and cultivates new generations of global leaders in communities divided by conflict.

We equip them with the skills and relationships they need to accelerate social, economic, and political changes essential to peace.

our mission

Our alumni are working for change in communities in conflict around the world.

• maine

• new york

Seeds of Peace’s approach focuses on three types of change: personal and interpersonal transformation, and wider societal change.

Our leadership development model begins with a transformational camp session in Maine for exceptional young people and educators living in conflict. The program shifts attitudes and perceptions and builds respect and empathy.

our approach

Seeds of Peace currently has programs and offices

in the Middle East, South Asia, the US,

and the UK.

MIDDLE EAST

SOUTH ASIA

BALKANS

UK

gaza •

• new york

• jerusalem

• mumbai

• lahore• kabul

• ammancairo •

tel aviv •

london •

• ramallahCYPRUS

Our approach continues through year-round local programs that strengthen relationships and leadership capacities.

We then accelerate the impact of our alumni who are challenging the ideologies, policies, and practices that perpetuate conflict.

Our network now encompasses over 6,000 alumni throughout the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, and the United States who are uniquely positioned to lead change.

“To those who say peace between Israelis and Palestinians is impossible, I say, ‘Let them visit Maine.’ It works. It’s real. It’s the future.” — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

SEEDS OF PEACE CAMP COURAGE TO engage

Dialogue encounter in Maine

1 CAMP DIALOGUE PROGRAMPersonal change begins at the Seeds of Peace Camp in MaineEach summer, hundreds of teenagers and educators engage with each other across lines of conflict—sharing meals, living spaces, and learning experiences in a traditional summer camp program. For many, this type of interaction is impossible at home, and Camp is the first time they are encountering peers from the other side.

During daily dialogue sessions guided by professional facilitators, campers confront each other over competing historical narratives, share personal experiences of conflict, and tackle topics that fuel oppression, hatred, and violence in and between their communities.

It is here that personal and interpersonal change begins, as perceptions and attitudes shift in the face of a new reality created in Maine. As participants form relationships and gain insights into the root issues that divide them, they build greater levels of trust, respect, and empathy, which inspire their commitment to work for change at home.

“At Camp, I learned to listen to people, even if I don’t agree with what they say. I learned how to understand other opinions, respect them, and became more open-minded.” — Shai (Israeli)

“I’ve watched the organization grow from a summer camp in Maine into a leadership program with year-round initiatives in the Middle East

and South Asia.” — US President Bill Clinton

COURAGE TO changeFree community health clinic in Lahore

Change takes root back homeAfter graduating from the Seeds of Peace Camp, participants build on their experiences in Maine through over a hundred local leadership development programs.

These year-round programs focus on four key assets and abilities we have identified as particularly valuable to emerging leaders engaged in effective peacebuilding:

• Strong relationships across lines of conflict;• A high level of understanding and perspective-taking on the issues that divide them;• Skills in critical thinking and communication;• The ability to take action towards peace.

Programs include community dialogues and facilitator trainings, multi-narrative tours of conflict zones, capacity building workshops for educators, interfaith camps, and mediation and negotiation seminars run by Harvard Law School faculty.

As our alumni embark on their professional careers, they are well positioned to begin leading change in their communities.

“After every Seeds of Peace activity, I feel more confident in the fact that I can do this, that I can push for change in my community.” — Ameer (Palestinian)

2 LOCAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

“Seeds of Peace, you are no longer a miracle in the Maine woods. You have found your way into the larger world in so many different ways, and you are forging your own path to peace.” — Queen Noor of Jordan

COURAGE TO lead

Working with women in the South Hebron Hills

3 FELLOWSHIPS & CONVENINGSA network of changemakers transforming conflictSeeds of Peace’s alumni are having an impact far beyond their families, schools, and peers. As they gain influence in their societies—starting companies and non-profits, or leading classrooms and civil society institutions—they are increasingly positioned to challenge the status quo.

Through fellowships and convenings, Seeds of Peace invests in alumni who have the greatest potential to create wider social, political, and economic change.

Our GATHER program and other seminars, workshops, and trainings provide spaces for young leaders, rising professionals, educators, and a broader movement of allies to come together across sectors and lines of conflict, sparking the connections and ideas that can catalyze change.

We also offer two fellowship programs for social entrepreneurs, civic leaders, educators, and artists. Each year, 30 new Seeds of Peace fellows receive small grants and technical assistance to accelerate their high-impact initiatives.

“Seeds of Peace gave me the confidence to believe that I can do something for the world. Every one of us has the ability, but very few ever use it.

I want to be one of those few.” — Jack (American)

OTHER RECENT COVERAGE

Peace Through FriendshipEven a year after the camp had ended, the Israelis and Palestinians who were surveyed still felt more positive about the other group than they did before the camp.

Peace camp in US unites Israeli, Palestinian teensThe lakeside camp was built on the notion that person-to-person contact would cement relationships, which would in turn

slowly lead to broader societal change. Peace has been elusive, but former campers have taken on a bevy of projects aimed at making it a reality.

Next goal for Seeds of Peace: Putting campers to workThe organization now hopes to empower them to transform a wide variety of sectors in conflict areas—from women’s rights to technological innovation. Such progress, say Seeds of Peace officials, is a crucial prerequisite

to any comprehensive, sustainable peace.

Rethinking Pakistan and India’s shared historyA unique project reworks India and Pakistan’s shared, often conflicting, history. It’s based on a whole new history

book for schools and it combines the narrative on the same historic events, as told by the different sides, printed side-by-side, for an understanding into each others view.

in the news

Since 2010, behavioral science researchers at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business have been surveying our Israeli and Palestinian participants for a longitudinal study about the efficacy of the Seeds of Peace experience.

Their findings, which show significant and sustained positive attitudinal shifts, have been published in the journal Group Processes and Intergroup Relations and in The New York Times.

Seeds of Peace has also launched the next phase of its long-term impact evaluation. We are capturing alumni contributions to lasting change through surveys and other qualitative research, and are highlighting this change through various media.

We rely on many generous donors to fulfill our mission to cultivate changemakers. Seeds of Peace is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the US, and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Charitable donations are also accepted through Seeds of Peace UK, and in many other countries in Europe. To make a gift of cash or securities, or to include Seeds of Peace in your will or estate plan, contact us at [email protected] or at (212) 573-8040, or visit www.seedsofpeace.org/donate. Fundraising events that highlight our alumni and impact take place throughout the year. Contact us at [email protected] to find out more.

You can also learn about how to join our programs at www.seedsofpeace.org/getinvolved.

40+Number of peacebuilding organizations researchers found that were staffed by Seeds of Peace alumni:

help us create changeimpact & evaluation

“Seeds of Peace has brought together young people from all over the world to help make progress on some of the most intractable conflicts in history. The work you are doing gives me great hope.” —Secretary of State John Kerry

SEEDS OF PEACE