How Kids4Peace began in Jerusalem
We began as a response to violence in Palestine/Israel. In 2001, the optimism of the Oslo accords had faded. Fighting and bombings ravaged the holy city of Jerusalem, and Israelis and Palestinians were turning against one another. Amid this climate of hatred and fear, a group of Jerusalem parents—Jewish, Christian and Muslim—came together to create a new reality.
These parents were people of deep faith, who all had kids in sixth grade. They believed that a better future was possible for their children, and for the city they called home. There were other youth peace programs at the time—but none for kids their age, and very few for religious families like themselves. They wanted a place to be both religious, and pro-peace.
The Anglican church became the home for this new initiative, with the embrace of the Most Rev. Suheil Dawani, then the local congregation pastor and now Archbishop in Jerusalem. Dr. Henry Ralph Carse, a gifted theologian, teacher and pilgrim guide, was the Founding Director, with institutional support from St. George’s College, where he worked, and its dean the Very Rev. Ross Jones.
With financial backing from Episcopalians in the United States, a group of twelve Jerusalem youth—Jewish, Christian and Muslim; Israeli and Palestinian—flew to Camp Allen outside Houston, Texas, in the summer of 2002 for a two-week summer camp. Kids4Peace was born.
Kids4Peace now has over 120 active youth across Grades 6-10 coming to bi-weekly programs, seminars, festival celebrations, community events and summer camps.
Social Action
Social action is about people coming together to help improve their lives and solve the problems that are important in their communities. It involves people giving their time and other resources for the common good, in a range of forms—from volunteering and community-owned services to community organising or simple neighbourly acts.
By having a social action program we aim to involve the community of K4P in a positive action for change. Participants will learn critical thinking, social innovation and get the tools that will help them make the change they want for peace.
Program Objectives
Bridge divides
Develop relationships of trust and respect among youth from different religious, cultural and political backgrounds.
Train leaders
Equip youth with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be public leaders for peace — now and throughout their lives.
Inspire action
Support youth-led activism to address the issues of conflict, violence and injustice that divide our communities.
Build Community
Grow a diverse and committed community of youth & parents who inspire hope that peace is possible and motivate others to join the movement.
The Kids4Peace Journey
“From first encounter with the other to working side by side for social change”
Encounter > Understanding > Agency > Action > Responsibility > Vision > Social Change
Our Method
Experiential: Active & participatory
- Transformative Encounters across Difference
- Mentored Practice of Leadership Skills
- Resilient Community of Support
Parents Meetings
Kids4Peace hosts monthly parent meetings, in order to give adults the experience of youth programs at K4P and to facilitate positive encounters. To learn more, email Ittay.
