JERUSALEM | The Seeds of Peace 2010 Regional Summer Program has ended on a very high note: over three days, 50 Israeli and Palestinian Seeds gathered for one of the most eye-opening, intensive, and meaningful seminars in recent history.
After spending the summer working on their creative media projects (film, photography, creative writing, journalism, and more), The Art of Communication Seminar on August 3-5 was the Seeds’ first opportunity to present their work to each other and enter into an in-depth dialogue about each other’s work.
Seeds used their projects to share what life is like in their communities, addressing issues and stories that are too seldom seen in the news or heard by the other side. Projects ranged from original documentary films on the struggles inside Hebron’s old city to spoken word poetry about discrimination against women and violence within our communities, and photography that showed homophobia, discriminatory hiring policies, and many other themes. The projects were impressive and moving, and many reflected a tremendous amount of effort.
Throughout the seminar, the Seeds demonstrated an unmatched level of maturity and respect in watching and listening to the work of their peers. Through facilitated dialogue, the Seeds spent many hours reflecting on each other’s work and addressing the larger issues of the conflict.
In addition, we led a number of workshops specifically geared towards self-expression and listening skills, which helped the Seeds better understand how to effectively communicate their messages and become better leaders with strong voices for their communities.
We are especially proud and continually amazed by our Seeds’ ability to rise to the occasion and overcome so many obstacles to make this program a success. On our long trip north to the village of Peki’in for the seminar, we were repeatedly reminded of the realities of living in a conflict zone. After a very long bus ride for Israelis and Palestinians alike, difficulties in crossing a checkpoint left some members of the Palestinian delegation especially frustrated.
Then, as we neared the youth center in Peki’in, we heard news of a clash along the Israel-Lebanon border. Since we were somewhat close to the border ourselves, the news was of immediate concern. Once the staff confirmed that the situation had stabilized, we began the Seminar.
Despite these problems, Seeds on both sides remained committed to the importance of dialogue, and everyone was eager to share and listen.
This seminar was the first step of what we hope will be a much longer process where Seeds can bring their projects and their voices to their communities, to the other side, and to the world. We will be showing their works in a special new “for Seeds, by Seeds” online newsletter affectionately known as the Olive Twig. Keep your eyes open for the first issue, which will be released in the next few weeks!
We also hope to hold more formal exhibitions of their work at events in various places throughout the fall. Spending the summer here working with the seeds has been an incredible experience for all of us on the Summer 2010 Regional Counselor Team. We have learned so much from our time here. After listening to feedback from the seeds and the regional staff and countless hours of discussion, planning, and re-planning, we feel good about having helped start a new and exciting chapter for Seeds of Peace regional programming. The work was hard and the hours were long, but, as always with Seeds of Peace, the reward is working with these incredible young leaders.
We would like especially to thank all the wonderful members of the permanent regional staff here: Sawsan, Eyal, Claire, Layan, Eti, Eric, Sara, Ghassan, Rasha and Lipaz, plus Bashar, Iddo, Khero, Eldad, and of course, Eva and Leslie back in the States. Without their wise advice, logistical (and moral!) support, and tireless enthusiasm, none of this would have been possible. We are excited for what the school year will bring and are already looking forward to next year’s program!