Over 200 Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian, Moroccan, Yemeni, Indian, Pakistani, and Afghan Seeds of Peace graduates and adult educators ended their three week visit to the United States with a trip to Washington, DC last week, meeting with Members of Congress, diplomats and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
The youths, ages 14-16, have just spent three weeks at the Seeds of Peace International camp in Otisfield, Maine, where they combined traditional summer camp activities with a dialogue and co-existence program designed to build lasting relationships and greater understanding. The teenagers were selected by their respective governments for their leadership potential, based on interviews and essays they wrote.
"These young people will be the future leaders of their countries, and we are working with them now to give them the skill and understanding they will need to lead and build a better future for their peoples," said Aaron David Miller, Seeds of Peace president and a twenty-five year State Department Middle East peace negotiator.
Since 1993, Seeds of Peace has graduated over 2,700 teenagers from four conflict regions from its internationally recognized leadership program. Through its International Camp in Maine, its Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem, international youth conferences, regional workshops, educational and professional opportunities, and adult educator programs, participants develop empathy, respect, and confidence as well as leadership, communication and negotiation skills -- all critical components that will ensure peaceful coexistence for the next generation.