Seeds of Peace began by bringing together 46 Palestinians, Israelis, and Egyptians in 1993.
Now, three decades later, over 3,000 young leaders and several hundred educators from the Middle East have graduated from the Seeds of Peace Camp, including delegates from Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Seeds of Peace now works primarily with young Egyptian, Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian leaders. The program begins at our Camp, where Middle East campers discuss core elements of the conflict, including the origins of the Zionist movement, the Holocaust, the Nakba, the Occupation, fear of violence, and fear of others, as well as terrorism, racism, and other drivers of oppression.
The immersive nature of Camp allows camper to develop authentic relationships with one another by living, eating, playing, and learning together. Dialogue is paired with recreational activities, a dynamic group challenge program that fosters team-building and communications skills, as well as interfaith and intercultural activities. In this way, campers get to live together in a co-created community that values trust, respect, and empathy, and that allows them to explore the fullest sense of their identities.
Our programs continue with year-round local activities focused on the capacities leaders need most to be effective changemakers.
Seeds of Peace offers more targeted programs and advanced skills training as alumni move into their university years and begin their careers, leveraging their unique relationships, understanding, and skills to shift the landscape of conflict and peace in the Middle East.
Read the latest Seeds of Peace news from the Middle East ››
“Seeds of Peace gave me hope that one day we’ll be able to live in peace—a just peace based on the elements of respect, dignity, and basic human rights and values for every Israeli and Palestinian.” — Adham (Palestinian Seed)