Each summer, hundreds of teenagers and educators engage with each other across lines of conflict—sharing meals, living spaces, and learning experiences in a traditional summer camp program. For many, this type of interaction is impossible at home, and Camp is the first time they are engaging their peers from the ‘other side.’ During daily dialogue sessions guided by professional facilitators, campers confront each other over competing historical narratives, share personal experiences of conflict, and tackle topics that fuel oppression, hatred, and violence in and between their communities. It is here that personal and interpersonal change begins, as perceptions and attitudes shift in the face of a new reality they create at Camp. As participants find their own voices, form relationships, and gain insights into the root issues that divide them, they build greater levels of confidence, trust, respect, and empathy, which inspire their commitment to work for change at home.
Each summer, hundreds of teenagers and educators engage with each other across lines of conflict—sharing meals, living spaces, and learning experiences in a traditional summer camp program. For many, this type of interaction is impossible at home, and Camp is the first time they are engaging their peers from the ‘other side.’
During daily dialogue sessions guided by professional facilitators, campers confront each other over competing historical narratives, share personal experiences of conflict, and tackle topics that fuel oppression, hatred, and violence in and between their communities. It is here that personal and interpersonal change begins, as perceptions and attitudes shift in the face of a new reality they create at Camp. As participants find their own voices, form relationships, and gain insights into the root issues that divide them, they build greater levels of confidence, trust, respect, and empathy, which inspire their commitment to work for change at home.
This program aims at teaching young leaders the essential skills they need for success in themSouth Asian ecosystem. Participants are in expert hands with Bob Bordone being the lead trainer. Bob is the visionary behind Harvard Law School’s Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program, as well as the founder of the Cambridge Negotiation Institution.
The program welcomes young people between the ages 15-17 who are in 9th, 10th and 11th grades (you should be minimum 15 years old at the time of the program) of different racial, religious, economic, and political backgrounds from South Asia. Candidates who have done a Dialogue Academy course and/or Core Leadership Program will be given a preference
This collaborative initiative aims to strengthen higher education in Pakistan by building a lasting partnership between Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development and Sukkur IBA University, in collaboration with Beyond the Classroom. Centered around two key themes—STEM curriculum design and pedagogy and academic leadership and development—the project includes a series of monthly virtual sessions for faculty and students, an in-person convening in Pakistan to showcase culminating projects, and a fully funded faculty immersion program at Vanderbilt University in the United States. Through this exchange of knowledge and co-development of contextually relevant innovations, the initiative fosters meaningful cross-cultural collaboration and advances teacher education in both countries
The Next-Gen Leaders Program is an educational expedition in Cyprus, created through a dynamic collaboration between our school, Beyond the Classroom Education (BTC), and the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR). Designed for students eager to stand out in their university applications, the program offers a unique blend of leadership development, cultural exploration, and experiential learning. Participants will earn a Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Leadership through a 3-day workshop led by experts from AHDR and BTC, followed by immersive experiences that bring history and global issues to life. From exploring the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman legacies to examining Cyprus’s geopolitical landscape and rich cultural diversity, students will engage deeply with the past and present. The program also includes exciting recreational activities—such as snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon, a cruise, and visits to the Paphos Archaeological Site and Troodos Monasteries—making this journey both enriching and unforgettable.
In 2022, the Global Institute in Washington, DC brought together Seeds of Peace alumni aged 18–25 for an advanced leadership program centered on public policy and advocacy. Through high-level meetings with government officials, think tanks, NGOs, and private sector leaders, participants explored diverse approaches to addressing global challenges such as violent conflict and climate change.
The program also served as a platform for these young leaders to share their perspectives with diplomats, policymakers, business executives, and the media. As part of the experience, participants visited institutions including the US Institute of Peace, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the State Department, APCO Worldwide, Boston Consulting Group, congressional offices, and diplomatic missions
In 2022, the Global Institute in Washington, DC brought together Seeds of Peace alumni aged 18–25 for an advanced leadership program centered on public policy and advocacy. Through high-level meetings with government officials, think tanks, NGOs, and private sector leaders, participants explored diverse approaches to addressing global challenges such as violent conflict and climate change.
The program also served as a platform for these young leaders to share their perspectives with diplomats, policymakers, business executives, and the media. As part of the experience, participants visited institutions including the US Institute of Peace, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the State Department, APCO Worldwide, Boston Consulting Group, congressional offices, and diplomatic missions
To find out more please visit: https://sscc2024.com
Beyond the Classroom Education, in collaboration with Global Ties-US, conducted a virtual exchange program with high school students from the United States. Over the course of three months, participants collaborated on group projects aimed at transforming conflicts through intercultural communication and mutual understanding. These projects were later presented to their schools and broader communities to encourage feedback and discussion. The program concluded with a fully-funded physical exchange, where selected students and teachers traveled to the U.S. to meet their counterparts. Students, aged 14–15 in June 2020, attended weekly one-hour sessions supervised by their school teachers
The Youth Mediation & Conflict Transformation Training is a dynamic, skill-based program that empowers young people to become effective communicators, mediators, and leaders within their communities. Through interactive workshops and hands-on activities, participants will develop essential tools such as active listening, paraphrasing, reframing, and strategic questioning—skills that enable them to engage in meaningful dialogue and resolve conflicts constructively. Alongside practical exercises, they also explore the theory behind conflict, mediation, and group dynamics, gaining insight into their own strengths and growth areas as facilitators
The “Kitnay Duur Kitnay Paas” project was a film initiative that brought together young, emerging filmmakers from Pakistan and India to create short films exploring the cultural and societal connections between the two countries. Despite a fragile cross-border collaborative climate, the initiative aimed to showcase shared South Asian experiences through stories about homes, families, communities, and societies. It provided mentorship and support to help filmmakers develop their skills and create impactful films, with a strong focus on digital storytelling and the use of technology to produce and share their work. The initiative was a collaborative effort by Beyond the Classroom, Seeds of Peace, and the U.S. Consulate General Karachi, aimed at fostering dialogue, creativity, and connection through the power of storytelling. To find out more please visit the following link: https://kitnayduurkitnaypaas.com