Nearly 150 new Seeds graduate from Camp
As they entered the front gate, the Seeds of Peace flag was raised to signal the beginning of their intense three-week long leadership training and conflict resolution program. Inside the gate, a new common identity was born among diverse national and religious backgrounds. When they departed on July 13th, they left as friends, empowered to lead their communities in the Middle East and South Asia toward the possibility of peaceful coexistence.
It was not an easy, quick or painless process. Campers described it as “intense,” “sobering” and “very worthwhile.” In dialogue sessions, early shouting gave way to an ability to listen to opposing viewpoints. Slowly and through hard work with each other and themselves, Israelis and Palestinians learned to communicate about divisive issues that shape their lives back home—borders, refugees, water, Jerusalem, and much more. For the first time in their young lives, instead of talking at their supposed enemies they began to engage in conversations—however heated—with their friends.
Secretary Clinton praises Seeds of Peace during first trip to India
In a major speech delivered in New Delhi, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “I know that there are Indian and Pakistani members of Seeds of Peace in the audience today, who are working to transcend historic divides and begin to plant the seeds, however small, of understanding.”
Shayam Kapadia, a young Seed, stood up to ask Secretary Clinton a question during the Q&A session: “How do you view the role and how your administration will encourage youth and nongovernmental organization in promoting peace and democracy, as well on the other hand as combating extremism in the region?”
Secretary Clinton responded, “It’s a wonderful question, and thank you for participating in Seeds of Peace. I think it’s very courageous for Indian and Pakistani young people to sort of take that step to listen to each other, to talk to each other.
Watch Seeds react to Clinton’s speech:
Gov. Jon Corzine, ExxonMobil accept 2009 Peacemaker Awards
ExxonMobil also accepted the 2009 Corporate Peacemaker Award for their dedication to peace through women’s economic empowerment. All proceeds from the evening went directly to support scholarships for young people from the Middle East and South Asia to attend the Camp in Maine.
The event was chaired by Jane Toll and Janet Wallach, longstanding members of the Board of Directors. Led by Jane and Janet, the event brought together over 325 leaders in philanthropy, business, government, nonprofit and media. At each table sat a Seed graduate—young men and women who have experienced conflict first-hand and have committed to making peaceful and lasting coexistence possible in their home communities. Throughout the event, Seeds spoke individually with guests about the impact of their training through Seeds of Peace on their own lives and the communities in which they live.
Former President Bill Clinton served as Honorary Chairman of the Benefit Dinner and opened the evening with a video message about his reasons for supporting Seeds of Peace. “I have supported this organization since 1993 when John Wallach brought 46 young Israeli, Palestinian, and Egyptian Seeds to the White House to join me for the signing of the Peace Accords,” said President Clinton. He continued, “Programs on the ground in the Middle East and South Asia continue to support these young people in their development as leaders. Now more than ever, I ask that you support them.”
The former President went on to thank those in attendance for supporting Seeds of Peace, especially during difficult economic times, and urged them not to let their commitment to peace waver.
In his remarks, Governor Corzine said, “there is nothing more important in this world than bringing people of all backgrounds together to recognize our common humanity.”
ExxonMobil was awarded the 2009 Corporate Peacemaker Award. Through its Educating Women and Girls Initiative, ExxonMobil supports Seeds of Peace’s Women’s Leadership for Greater Economic Participation Program. This innovative training is a partnership with the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA). Thanks to Todd Street Productions, a short video of the program’s impact is available here:
US Department of State welcomes Seeds of Peace in Washington, D.C.
Seeds visited D.C from July 14th-16th and completed visits at the State Department and the Afghan, Indian and Pakistani Embassies.
The visit provided South Asian Seeds with a valuable opportunity to witness diplomacy in action. The core tenet of the Seeds of Peace program is that dialogue—not violence—is the only viable means of conflict resolution. This trip provided the Seeds with a unique chance to see the official representatives of their home countries putting this ideal to work at the highest level of international diplomacy.
Seeds were hosted by Ambassador Robert Blake, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, at an impressive reception held at the State Department.
Seeds, staff and board members ring NASDAQ stock market opening bell
In recognition of the impact of Seeds of Peace’s unique leadership training and conflict resolution programs and in honor of the nearly 4,000 young ‘Seeds’ working to create more peaceful communities around the world, Seeds of Peace rang the opening bell of the NASDAQ Stock Market on May 26th.
NASDAQ Vice President David Wicks welcomed Seeds of Peace, “NASDAQ salutes the accomplishments of Seeds of Peace and applauds your continued commitment to empower today’s young leaders and we hope that today’s market open brings further awareness to these efforts.”
Richard Berman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, thanked Mr. Wicks saying, “This is truly a great day for Seeds of Peace. NASDAQ is the future. We think peace is the future. We see our work with our students and with our Seeds to be the core of the grassroots effort necessary to make the difference and, in the end, to have peace. We talk about sort of treaties and all being made by government but peace is really about humanity working with humanity to make a more just, a more compassionate, a more caring world.”
Richard Berman and David Wicks were joined by young Seeds from the American delegation along with staff and members of the Board of Directors, David Avital, Sebastian Stubbe and David Strasser. The opening bell ceremony was viewed by millions of people around the world and carried live by dozens of domestic and international news stations.
View photos and watch event video »
To make a tax-deductible contribution to Seeds of Peace, click here.