Seeds of Peace
Frequently Asked Questions Preparation for Q&A Sessions When you speak about Seeds of Peace, chances are you will be asked a lot of different questions, from the specific about the goings-on of camp to the general about Seeds of Peace as an organization. You can prepare yourself ahead of time by reviewing some of the questions below. FYI, all this information is also on the FAQ section of our website: http://www.seedsofpeace.org/about/faq About Seeds of Peace… • Is Seeds of Peace a non-profit organization? • Is my contribution tax-deductible? • What will my contribution fund? • Does Seeds have any political or religious affiliation? • How is Seeds of Peace funded? • Do the governments in the regions support Seeds of Peace? • What countries participate in the program? About camp… • How old are the participants? • Where is the Seeds of Peace International Camp located? • Do campers come back for more than one summer? • Are bunks and activities organized by conflict region? • What exactly are the dialogue sessions? • What is a typical camp day like? • How are the international campers selected? • What is the role of the American Delegation and how do they join? • Who are the Delegation Leaders and what is their role? • What happens once camp ends? Getting Involved… • How can I work or volunteer for Seeds of Peace? • I want to hold an event for Seeds of Peace, what can I do? • Does Seeds of Peace provide speakers for events? • I want to make a donation to Seeds of Peace as a gift to someone. Can I do this?
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Seeds of Peace
About Seeds of Peace Is Seeds of Peace a non-profit organization? Yes, Seeds of Peace is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. Is my contribution tax-deductible? Yes. What will my contribution fund? Your contribution directly supports Seeds’ International Camp in Maine and its regional programming designed to help participants stay involved, continue developing leadership and coexistence skills, and share their experience with their communities in the Middle East and South Asia. FYI, the cost of sending one camper to the camp is roughly $5,500 (including travel). Does Seeds have any political or religious affiliation? No, Seeds of Peace is a non-political and secular organization and therefore does not represent any political or religious points of view. Do the governments in the regions support Seeds of Peace? Participating governments strongly support the work of Seeds of Peace. Seeds of Peace has received the endorsement of many world leaders including: former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, President Mahmoud Abbas, President Hosni Mubarak, His Late Majesty King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and former Prime Ministers Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin. Seeds is also strongly supported by President George H. W. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. What countries participate in the program? The main focus of Seeds of Peace is the Arab-Israeli conflict. Delegations from this region include Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians and Egyptians. Since 1993, Seeds of Peace has also expanded to include the South Central Asia region including delegations from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In addition, Seeds hosts American campers and a special Maine Delegation addressing the tensions between new immigrants and long time residents of the city of Portland, Lewiston, and rural communities.
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Seeds of Peace
About Camp What is the age of the participants? Most campers are 14 to 16 years old. Where is the Seeds of Peace International Camp located? Camp is in Otisfield, Maine, roughly a 45 minutes’ drive from Portland, the nearest big city. Do campers come back for more than one summer? Yes, many campers apply to come back to participate in a specially designed leadership program and act as Peer Supports for the new campers. Each summer, approximately 50 returning campers representing all delegations attend camp. Are bunks and activities organized by conflict region? Bunks and dialogue sessions are grouped by conflict region. For example, Israeli and Arab campers share a living space and participate in their dialogue sessions together. Similarly, campers from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan share a bunk. Most camp activities are organized according to a campers’ dialogue group and therefore are conflict-specific. Other camp activities, such as meals and night time programming, encourage interaction between campers from all regions. What exactly are the dialogue sessions? Campers participate in dialogue sessions for 90-minutes every day. During dialogue sessions, approximately 10 campers from different sides of the conflict work with a professional facilitator to discuss their feelings and ideas about the conflict. Dialogue sessions (as well as the bunks) are intentionally conflict specific, in order to allow the Seeds to discuss the specific issues of their respective regions. What is a typical camp day like? This is a hard question to answer due to special activities such as taking the campers to a minor league baseball game or Color Games – the Seeds of Peace Olympics. With that said, on most days, campers are active between 7:30a.m. and 10:00p.m., engaged in sports and creative activities, dialogue sessions, meals, rest hour, and an all-camp evening activity. How are the international campers selected? The selection process to become a Seeds of Peace camper is very competitive. Typically, applicants to Seeds of Peace apply through the school systems in their home country. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English and leadership skills as well as motivation, based on a written essay. Most of the first year campers are chosen by the Ministries of Education in their respective countries. What is the role of the American Delegation and how do they join? American delegates at Seeds of Peace have an incredible opportunity to learn about international conflicts and cultures first-hand, by living with and participating alongside their peers from the Middle East, South Asia and throughout the United States. American youth are participants in the program in every sense, from bunk life to activities to daily dialogue sessions. American youth are encouraged to engage in all discussions and share their own views on such issues. They play an important role in creating an atmosphere conducive to trust-building and dialogue.
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Seeds of Peace
Who are the Delegation Leaders and what is their role? Each summer, adult Delegation Leaders are selected by educators and officials in their own countries to accompany the youth to the Seeds of Peace International Camp. Officials in their nation's ministries or educators themselves, the Delegation Leaders take part in a challenging program that parallels the coexistence work of the teens. What happens once camp ends? Camp plants the seeds from which will grow lifelong commitments to pursuing peace and dialogue. Year-round programming after campers return to the region is critical for sustaining their relationships and ideals. During follow-up regional activities in the regions, Seeds participate in continued programs with their leaders, advanced dialogue sessions, school presentations, cross-cultural exchanges, workshops and seminars, outreach events, and they also produce their own magazine entitled The Olive Branch.
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Seeds of Peace
Getting Involved How can I work or volunteer for Seeds of Peace? Please check out the employment section of our website for current available positions in our New York, Tel Aviv or Ramallah offices and at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine. We are also always looking for volunteers or interns. If you are interested in volunteering or interning for Seeds of Peace, please email us at info@seedsofpeace.org. I want to hold an event for Seeds of Peace, what can I do? There are many ways you can help support Seeds of Peace. One of which is through holding your own fundraising event in your local community. In the past, people have held events such as book readings, bake sales, dinner parties, dance parties, concerts or walk-a-thons to raise money for our programs. If you are interested in fundraising in your local community for Seeds of Peace, please visit our “get involved� page on our website - www.seedsofpeace.org for more ideas and materials to get you started. You may also contact us at info@seedsofpeace.org. Does Seeds of Peace provide speakers for events? Seeds of Peace receives numerous requests to have either a staff member or alumni of our programs speak at local events. Though our network of staff, counselors, and Seeds cannot speak at every event, we make every effort to accommodate your request. The sooner you contact us and the more information you have about the event, the more likely we will be able to help. If you have any questions, please call (212) 573-8040 or email info@seedsofpeace.org. I want to make a donation to Seeds of Peace as a gift to someone. Can I do this? Yes, donations to Seeds of Peace are a wonderful way to honor or remember a loved one. A personalized acknowledgement card will be sent to the honoree in your name. Tribute donations can be made online, by mail, and by phone. For more information, go to www.seedsofpeace.org or call (212)5738040.
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