Seeds of Peace inspires and cultivates new generations of global leaders in communities divided by conflict. Seeds of Peace equip them with the skills and relationships they need to accelerate social, economic, and political changes essential for peace. The approach focuses on three types of change: personal and interpersonal transformation, and wider societal change. The leadership development model begins with a transformational camp session in Maine for exceptional young people and educators living in conflict. The program shifts attitudes and perceptions and builds respect and empathy. The approach continues through year-round local programs that strengthen relationships and leadership capacities.Seeds of Peace then accelerate the impact of our alumni who are challenging the ideologies, policies, and practices that perpetuate conflict. The network now encompasses over 6,000 alumni throughout the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, and the United States who are uniquely positioned to lead change.

Seeds of Peace founder John Wallach, an award-winning author and journalist, creates Seeds of Peace. He asks Bobbie Gottschalk, a seasoned clinical social worker and program developer, to become its executive director and Tim Wilson, a long-time camp director and educator, to run the Camp in Maine.

That summer, a group of 46 Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, and American teenagers inaugurate the Camp. The Seeds are then President Clinton’s invited guests to the historic signing of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat on the White House lawn.

Seeds of Peace doubles in size by welcoming a Jordanian delegation and adding an equal number of female campers to the program.