S: Is for "Seeds of Peace"

We are constantly bombarded by war, and peace seems like a feudal thing of the past. Conflict is inevitable, especially when we can't even get along with those we love. The reason walking into Gibaud's event on Tuesday was so exciting was it was multi layered in information and each time I learned something new my passion for life increased. I had the honor of meeting Nicolla Hewitt a network news producer for 18 years, working for ABC, CBS & NBC News. She is now the President of Seeds of Peace. Covering stories of conflict, and stories of peace with a unique and a fresh prospective. She has interviewed world leaders, witnessed history, covered wars, peace treaties, and Presidential Inaugurations giving her insight into their world. Nicolla was the first American journalist to interview Yasser Arafat the day he returned to Gaza and the first American journalist to produce a joint interview with Mrs. Arafat and Mrs. Rabin for “Good Morning America. ”She states in her role as president for Seeds of Peace“There is no greater gift, than the gift of giving back to others. I know we can make a difference to so many people.”

So what is Seeds of Peace? After the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993 award-winning author and journalist John Wallach, was inspired. That summer, he brought together 46 Israeli, Palestinian, and Egyptian teenagers selected as future leaders. He wanted to reveal the human face of those they were raised to hate. By dispelling fear, mistrust, and prejudice—the root causes of violence and conflict—Seeds of Peace ensures that the future of peace is in the hands of friends rather than enemies. In 1994 more females were appointed and Morocco joined in. 95’ Jordan. Balkans and Tunisia join the program. Over 200 Israeli and Arab Seeds gather in Jordan thanks to His Majesty King Hussein. Qatar and a The Olive Branch, a youth magazine finish off the year. 98 sees The first Middle East Youth Summit in Villars, Switzerland. The result an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty that so impresses the UN and Kofi Annan that a charter to the UN is started. 1999 The Seeds of Peace Center for Coexistence in Jerusalem is attended by Palestinian, Israeli, American and European leaders of the peace process, and more than 500 Palestinian, Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Greek and Turkish Cypriot's. Located on the former dividing line between East and West Jerusalem, the Center served as a neutral, safe meeting space for Israeli and Palestinian Seeds of Peace. In the 2000’s the Israeli and Palestinian Seeds release the award-winning documentary film, Peace of Mind and is awarded UNESCO Peace Prize and "Teaching Peace”. In response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, Seeds of Peace convened the International Youth Summit on Uprooting Hatred and Terrorism, which was held at the United Nations in November of 2001. At the conference, Seeds of Peace brought together 120 Seeds from 22 nations to address the very roots of terror, hatred, and violence.
We, Seeds of Peace, young people representing 22 war-ravaged nations, hereby declare that we are tired of hatred, violence, and terror…Do not dismiss this as youthful idealism. Many of us live in places where killing and humiliation, poverty and homeless refugees are commonplace. At Seeds of Peace, we have experienced real equity, understanding, and joy…We now refuse to accept what is when we know what can be…We know it is possible to redirect human passions, even class for revenge, toward the positive goal for creating peace.

John Wallach passed away but his dream has enter its fifteenth season. Together Israeli and Palestinian Seeds won the Voices of Courage award by the Women’s Commission on Refugee Women and Children. Over 100 Seeds are on scholarships at universities and colleges in North America through the Education Program. Sesame Street, Marithe + Francois Girbaud, SAK, Bond, and Jewelry designer Catherine Michiels have designed products and agreed to lend their support. What are you doing to promote peace? Lets join together and find ways to continue this F.A.C.T. and end conflict and ultimately war.

To learn more: www.seedsofpeace.org