Seeds Of Peace

Background

The son of Holocaust survivors, John was destined to make a difference in international affairs. He wrote many books on the Middle East, and was a foreign correspondent there for two decades. It was at a cocktail party in Washington D.C. in 1993 that he took inspired action. Hosted for the Israeli Prime Minister, it was attended by the Egyptian ambassador and a PLO representative.

John stood up and made a toast, and began speaking about children as the only hope to bread the cycle of violence. He proceeded to ask all three leaders if they would arrange for fifteen (15) to twenty (20) children from each country to come to a summer camp in the United States and learn conflict resolution. Later John remarked, "To be nice, they all accepted, probably not thinking I was serious."

Before they could change their minds, he announced the camp publically the next day at a news conference. He called the camp Seeds of Peace.

An Innovative Experiment

Forty five (45) campers attended the first year, and the camp has subsequently grown to about five hundred (500). For the first camp John, with partners Bobbie Gottschalk and Tim Wilson, used their own funds. Soon there was much media attention and outside financial support.

Each year things begin on a similar note for each aggressive child. Kids arrive angry and suspicious, as well as afraid. Confronting the “enemy” upfront for the first time is quite an experience for them. After a few days of sports, swimming, and canoeing, things begin to settle down. They also meet daily for coexistence sessions where they get to express their feelings and learn how to listen. There is a lot of lashing out at one another.

After much shouting and crying, it becomes clear that no one group has all the answers, or a monopoly on suffering or truth. During competitions each group consists of members from each region. This allows for collaboration, and eventually a measure of trust.

When the kids return home there are enormous challenges. In spite of the atmosphere of violence, oppression and hatred, they stay in contact with each other via the internet, and even occasionally get together for their own summit talks.

John Wallach has done much more than any child behavior psychology could. He created a camp to promote love through emotional detox, and has enabled thousands to learn and embody compassionate action. John died of cancer at age fifty nine (59), but his love and determination are carried on by every one of these participants.

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