NEW YORK | On May 27, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine accepted the 2009 Peacemaker Award from Seeds of Peace at The Plaza Hotel in New York City for his outstanding work in promoting youth empowerment around the world.
ExxonMobil also accepted the 2009 Corporate Peacemaker Award for their dedication to peace through women’s economic empowerment. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the evening went directly to support scholarships for young people from the Middle East and South Asia to attend the Seeds of Peace 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,” President Clinton said. “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 that “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).
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