WASHINGTON | Thanks to the continued support of the US Department of State, Bureau for South and Central Asian Affairs, Seeds from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan were invited to travel to Washington, D.C., after completing the first session of Camp.
Seeds visited D.C. from July 14 to 16, where they were hosted by 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 a reception held at the State Department. Ambassador Blake gave an encouraging speech in support of Seeds and of Seeds of Peace. Afghan Seed Ramish Azadzoi also spoke inspiringly of his experiences. The Seeds were warmly welcomed by all of their countries’ embassies. The Ambassadors and Chiefs of Mission were extremely hospitable in answering the challenging questions from the Seeds, as well as in providing wonderful authentic cuisine.
On the last night in Washington, Seeds enjoyed a three-hour dinner cruise on the Potomac River. Renditions of Camp songs played a central role during the trip, demonstrating the impact that the Camp experience had on them.
While the Seeds were sad to be leaving the US and one another, this trip was a great way for them to end their stay in America as it reinforced the important role each of them plays as a leader in the quest to bring about peaceful coexistence in their home communities.