Summary
Eva Armour, leader of the nonprofit Seeds of Peace, says the United States is experiencing deep divisions similar to those in long-standing conflict zones around the world. Her organization works to bring young people together for face-to-face dialogue to build understanding, a method now needed to address growing polarization in the U.S.
Key Facts
- Seeds of Peace was founded in 1993 to help young people from conflict regions like Israel-Palestine and India-Pakistan meet and talk.
- The group uses in-person activities such as living together, sports, and shared meals combined with guided conversations about conflicts.
- Eva Armour says the same approach is now important in the U.S. because divisions have increased and people struggle to engage across differences.
- A 2021 poll found over half of Americans see “other people” as the country’s biggest problem, indicating deep social conflict.
- Seeds of Peace encourages curiosity by asking participants to challenge their own beliefs and listen to others’ perspectives.
- The goal is to understand different views, not necessarily to agree, helping people recognize multiple versions of truth.
- Armour notes social media reduces meaningful connection, making in-person dialogue more valuable for empathy.
- Avoiding hard conversations about differences often makes conflicts worse rather than better.
