Working as counselors at a youth camp in Sri Lanka run by Seeds of Peace was a catalyst for three students who developed a “Bridging Divides” proposal, which offers new ideas for promoting dialogue at Dartmouth and beyond.
Under a program sponsored by the , Shoshana Bernstein ’26, Laurel Hamilton ’26, and Ahmad Herzallah ’27 spent 10 days during the winter break at the in Sri Lanka, which brought together youth from India and Pakistan.
Since 1993, Seeds of Peace has been dedicated to bringing teens from conflict zones together in a neutral camp setting to engage in deep, sometimes difficult, dialogue, while also joining together in recreational activities to break down walls.
As counselors, the Dartmouth students facilitated sessions exploring preconceptions and differences, but also led activities like improv sessions, dance activities, and art projects. The teens attending the camp eat and bunk together, and the goal is to break down the prejudices that underlie generational conflicts and foster future leaders, known as “seeds,” who will take their leadership skills back home with them to help build a culture of peace.
“It was amazing working to overcome historically ingrained divides that emerge from the region’s conflict,” says Bernstein. “While also learning about Seeds of Peace dialogue methodology, I enjoyed leading lighthearted activities like improv which helped the students step out of their comfort zone and bond with one another. It was so beautiful and exciting watching connections being fostered between the students.”
Herzallah says the ultimate goal of the project was to gain insight into effective dialogue and put it into practice.
“I want to create an environment at Dartmouth where all voices matter, to amplify the voices of the unheard, and to provide a safe space for students to express their opinions without fear of judgment standing in their way,” says Herzallah.
During winter term, the students conducted a series of interviews with Dartmouth faculty, administrators, and students, as well as with Seeds of Peace leadership, staff, and alumni, and practitioners in dialogue and peacebuilding. They used this feedback and what they learned in Sri Lanka about Seeds of Peace methodologies to create a Bridging Divides proposal discussing what interventions at Dartmouth should be used to bridge differences and divides, which they are presenting to stakeholders as they shift from research to implementation.
Eventually the hope is to develop a Bridging Divides project template that could be used at Dartmouth as well as on other campuses.
“I’m delighted that the Bridging Divides interns are leading this novel extension of our long-term collaboration with the Seeds of Peace program,” says Dickey Center Director . “We support their inspired efforts to overcome divisions and deepen dialogue with intellectual rigor, empathy, and creativity—both right here at Dartmouth and beyond. At a time of polarization, such efforts are vitally important.”
The Dickey Center has sent interns to participate in Seeds of Peace leadership camps for nearly 15 years. The Bridging Divides project is a one-time initiative made possible by the support of the Classes of 1957 and 1982 through their Great Issues Innovation Fund.
