Friday, April 4, 2008

Seeds of Peace: Empowering Leaders of the Next Generation

Featuring:

Sheri Abdel Rahman, University of Pennsylvania ’10
Abu Gosh, an Arab town west of Jerusalem

Israeli Roy Cohen, Harvard University ’10
Ashdod, Israel

Hassan Raza, St. Lawrence University '11
Lahore, Pakistan

Timothy P. Wilson, Special Advisor to Seeds of Peace

Founded in 1993, Seeds of Peace is dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence.

Over the last decade, Seeds of Peace has intensified its impact, dramatically increasing the number of participants, represented nations and programs.

From 46 Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian teenagers in 1993, the organization still focuses on the Middle East but has expanded its programming to include young leaders from South Asia, Cyprus and the Balkans. Its leadership network now encompasses over 3,500 young people from several conflict regions.

The Seeds of Peace internationally recognized program model begins at the International Camp in Maine and continues through follow-up programming with international youth conferences, regional workshops, educational and professional opportunities, and an adult educator program. This comprehensive system allows participants to develop empathy, respect, and confidence as well as leadership, communication and negotiation skills — all critical components that will facilitate peaceful coexistence for the next generation.

Sheri Abdel Rahman
She has been a member of Seeds of Peace since 2004. She spent her junior year in high school in Beverly Hills, California, where she introduced Queen Noor of Jordan at a Women’s Rights Conference hosted by Governor Schwarzenegger. She graduated high school in Abu Gosh and received a full scholarship to attend the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently a sophomore at U Penn, where she is majoring in Political Science and Health Societies. At U Penn, Sheri has worked at the Netter Center for Community Partnerships and volunteers with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Roy Cohen
Roy has been a member of Seeds of Peace since 1997. In 1999, Roy attended Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine as a Program Leader and as an actor in a unique Israeli-Palestinian theater production. Roy has participated in and organized school presentations in his hometown of Ashdod with Palestinian graduates of Seeds of Peace. Roy joined the Israeli Navy in 2003 and finished his mandatory service in 2006. He is now a sophomore studying Psychology and Neuroscience at Harvard University, where he also hosts a jazz show on the campus’s radio station.

Timothy Wilson
Mr. Timothy P. Wilson has more than 40 years of experience in education, public service and athletic coaching. Currently, Mr. Wilson serves as Special Advisor to Seeds of Peace, an organization that he has been with since its founding in 1993. He was the Director of both Seeds of Peace International Camp and Seeds of Peace Center for Coexistence until 2006.

Prior to and during the early years of his appointment with Seeds of Peace, Wilson served as the Director of Multicultural Programs for well-reputed Pierce Atwood Consulting in Portland, Maine.  Wilson has been appointed by three Maine Governors to important posts such as: Chair of the Maine Human Rights Commission; State Ombudsman; Associate Commissioner of Programming for the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Corrections; as well as Director of the State Offices of Community Services, Civil Emergency Preparedness, and Energy. Mr. Wilson has been the Associate Headmaster at the Hyde School in Bath, Maine and the Director of Admissions at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine.

Wilson was also a language arts and history teacher for over 20 years, and was a highly successful football coach at Dexter High School and The University of Maine. Mr. Wilson began coaching football again at Dexter High in 2006.
Wilson's community service activities include serving as Chair of the Abyssinian Church Restoration Committee in Portland, Maine; the Community Mediation Center Board of Directors; the Maine Hospice Council Board of Directors; the Kents Hill School Board of Directors; and a Trustee of Bridgton Academy.

In 1997, the late King Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan presented Wilson with a Medal of Honor. In addition, The Maine Youth Camping Association has honored him with the Halsey Gulick Award, and Seeds of Peace has recognized his efforts with a Distinguished Leadership Award.  Wilson has also been honored with the Distinguished American Award by the Maine Chapter of the National Football Foundation.  Most recently, Wilson was awarded the the Franklin H. Williams Award, which honors outstanding returned Peace Corps volunteers of color who have put their overseas experiences to work in their communities and in their professions to promote a better understanding of other peoples and their cultures.