Why is there Hope for Peace? A Conversation with ‘Seeds of Peace’

Seeds of Peace is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower the next generation of young people with the leadership skills and cross-border friendships to promote lasting peace in some of the world's most tumultuous regions of conflict. Since its inception in 1993, Seeds of Peace has graduated nearly 5,000 young people, called "Seeds", at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine, and supported them with year-round regional programming to help them pursue a life of coexistence and peace.

The 7th annual Peace Market in New York, New York on March 1, 2012 was the largest Peace Market to date, raising awareness and providing financial support for Seeds of Peace's work in the Middle East and South Asia. I had the opportunity while there to sit-in on a conversation between some Seeds and the headlining band for the evening, Bad Rabbits. I caught up with some of them afterwards to ask "why is there hope for peace in the world?"

Shani, Israel (Seeds of Peace)

[T]here isn't, but that's exactly the challenge. The more accurate question perhaps is would we let this lack of hope stop us from working for peace? . . . We work towards impossible things because we feel obligated to . . . even when these things don't seem feasible to the mind that isn't broad enough to understand yet how to create the solution. . . . I might not know how to achieve world peace yet, but I am at least going to try. Not for the existence of 'hope', but because I can't stand injustice or suffering.

Fredua (Bad Rabbits)

As long as there is faith in the goodness of humanity and faith in God there will always be hope for peace.

Salim (Bad Rabbits)

There is hope for peace in the world as long as organizations like Seeds of Peace and community leaders stay committed to educating people about our differences and continue to promote tolerance.

Ramy, Egypt (Seeds of Peace)

I think there is always hope for peace. There will always be violence, but it will be up to us to do something about it and turn a violent place into a peaceful one. Just think of the U.S.A. back when there was civil war compared to today. If you take a trip to Europe today . . . you wouldn't believe that there was war and real hatred between its people just a few decades ago. . . . It takes a vision, real leadership, and hard work to end these wars and to live in peace. Having hope is always the first place to start.

Sheel (Bad Rabbits)

Although at times it seems as if peace is blinded by continuous, senseless acts of brutality, programs like Seeds of Peace give hope for a young generation which may be in a position to effect change. Knowing that Seeds of Peace teaches tolerance at an early age, and has programs that facilitate partnerships between groups of people who at one point called each other enemies based on religious or regional beliefs gives great hope that the world may one day achieve universal peace.

Parnian, Afghanistan (Seeds of Peace)

[B]eing at Seeds of Peace . . . you see people who are from Israel and Palestine, kids from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the U.S. engaging in dialogue with each other. And at the beginning of the camp you see the tension existing between them . . . . But after spending a month together . . . the day they leave they are in tears. . . . And you see all these friendships and mutual love and respect being born there. When I see that happening at camp I am hopeful that that can happen in the larger picture.