We are dedicated to the pursuit of peaceful change in communities divided by conflict.
We recognize that there are many possible paths to peace. We do not prescribe or advocate for particular political solutions, nor are we affiliated with any political party or religious institution.
Our Seeds and Educators are at the heart of everything we do, as it is their realities and futures that are most affected by the conflicts that define their lives. They hold a wide range of beliefs and opinions on how to end the conflicts within and between their societies. Their common ground, however, is the belief in and commitment to dialogue and informed leadership as the basis for meaningful economic, social, and political change and the most effective tools in the pursuit of peace.
As an organization, we affirm our opposition to dynamics, institutions, and structures that are obstacles to peace, including Racism, Sexism, Classism, Political Violence, Colonialism, Military Occupation, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia. We support our alumni as they work to end these obstacles.
Our values are at the heart of what we do.
They drive our staff, set our culture, and reflect aspirations and expectations for our full community.
We value COURAGE.
Despite living within divided societies, our community strives to creatively, actively address and challenge the status quo. Though we are subject to skepticism and face difficult realities, we remain resilient.
We value RESPECT.
We strive to recognize the humanity in others and afford them individuality, dignity, empathy, and care. We recognize the intercultural nature of our work and the importance of being inclusive.
We value CRITICAL THINKING.
We strive to tackle difficult truths, challenge conventional thinking, and ask hard questions. We strive to provide individuals and communities safe spaces to listen, learn, and grow and provide platforms where multiple truths and perspectives can be held simultaneously when tackling today’s most pressing issues.
We value ENGAGEMENT.
We bring together, and purposefully interact with, individuals and representatives of different nations, religions, perspectives, and social and economic backgrounds. We aspire to engage in meaningful dialogue, while remaining mindful of the potential implications of different associations and relationships. Holding these nuances, we strive to ensure that we are not informed by a singular outlook or experience, or neglectful of particular voices; we listen to and are open to multiple perspectives.
We value IMPACT.
We are invested in dialogue and leadership development as a means of cultivating personal growth, relationships, and skills that can fuel meaningful change. We also encourage and support individuals and communities leading practical and positive efforts to transform conflict and do all we can to accelerate their work. While change is often slow and subject to setbacks, our intention is to see concrete, tangible improvements come about through our efforts and those of our Seeds of Peace community.
By providing spaces for meaningful, productive, and educational human interaction, we believe that individuals and communities will take the lead to challenge the status quo and work for a more just, humane, and peaceful future.
We encourage community-building with the above values in mind and maintain them as an organizational standard to be upheld in all that we do.