NEW YORK | Seeds of Peace has launched a custom-designed online community exclusively for graduates of its program (Seeds).
The Private SEEDS Network aims to keep Seeds connected after their first experience at the Seeds of Peace International Camp by allowing them to continue the important conversations they began in dialogue sessions, stay up to date with news from Seeds of Peace, network professionally, find support, and work together to create change within and between their communities.
Designed by MADEO, a creative firm founded by Egyptian Seed Ramy Nagy, The Network is a flexible platform that responds to the needs of Graduate Seeds seeking to network professionally and reconnect with peers they first met 15 years ago, Senior Seeds wishing to share their experiences in university, and Junior Seeds needing to stay connected to Seeds of Peace programming taking place in their communities.
To be able to respond to these various needs, The Network’s design includes easy-to-use browse functionality for members to search for Seeds from their delegation, camp session, current city, educational field and professional field. In addition, Seeds can join online dialogue groups to discuss matters related to conflict or create a group around a topic of mutual interest.
Seeds of Peace’s investment in this platform is evidence of the continued support the organization provides for its members. Seeds from 1993 will remember relying on mail and fax to keep in touch in the pre-Internet era. Now they can connect in a fast, meaningful and secure way designed specifically for them.
As one Seed reflected, “I love the fact that I can finally find friends based on locations, year at camp, and other variables so easily. I’ve already gotten in touch with friends I’ve fallen out of contact with and two are working in my field!”
Within its first week after launching the network, nearly 1,000 Seeds have reconnected on The Network while making new connections and starting new conversations. The Network serves over 5,000 graduates, with over 500 new Seeds to be invited each year.