FAQ

What is the mission of Seeking Common Ground? 

Seeking Common Ground’s (SCG) mission is to empower individuals to change the world by creating peaceful communities through integration, socialization, communication, and leadership development.

When and why was Seeking Common Ground founded?

In 1993, Melodye Feldman founded Seeking Common Ground (SCG) in response to the overwhelming lack of opportunities, both in the US and worldwide, for individuals (particularly girls) to acquire the skills to communicate, cooperate and cohabitate with the ‘other.’ While communities worldwide speak of their desires for peace, they often lack the tools to create and sustain peaceful relationships – the foundation for just, inclusive, and equitable societies.  SCG’s programs target this gap; participants explore the benefits of inclusive communities and work together across religious, cultural, ethnic, and other lines to develop their leadership, communications, and peacebuilding skills.

What is unique about Seeking Common Ground’s approach?

Seeking Common Ground’s (SCG) programming is unique in a number of ways. First, our flagship Building Bridges for Peace is one of the longest running programs of its kind in the United States, and is one of the few whose methodology is heavily rooted in social work practice and principles. Second, just as race, religion, ethnicity, and other identities are critical to the coexistence discourse, so too is gender.  SCG recognizes that a gender lens, specifically a female-centered paradigm, is critical to leadership development; research strongly suggests that the qualities that lend themselves to a more effective and successful style of leadership – greater inclusiveness, compassion, and communication – are intrinsic to women.  SCG is at the forefront of the movement to incorporate this female-specific lens in leadership development and peacebuilding programming. Third, SCG places a premium on the necessity of long term programming.  Many of our programs start with an intensive lasting one to three weeks, but then continue with ongoing, long-term follow-up programming lasting for years. Our work is not merely a one time experience, but experiencing one of our programs is a transformation for life, and as such, participants are continually a part of the process and the community.

What part of the world do you work in?

We currently work with diverse communities from across the United States, as well as Israel and Palestine, Northern Ireland, and South Africa. However, our programs can be adapted to serve any community in the world. Contact us at programs@s-c-g.org if you are living in a different area and are interested in developing a teen peacebuilding program in your community.

What programs do you offer?

For information about SCG’s programs, please go to the Programs page.

Can SCG speak or present to my congregation, school group, or organization?

Yes. SCG’s Peace Works Community-Based programs offer tailored presentations or workshops to meet the needs and interests of the given group or community. Programs can include informational presentations on SCG’s programs and methodology, leadership programming, dialogue facilitation, guest speakers, panel discussions, and interactive workshops on themes such as gender, religion, power and privilege, war and peace, service, identity. SCG also offers training and consultation services through our Peacebuilding Practitioner Institute. You can read more about all of these programs and services on the Programs page.

Does the flagship Building Bridges for Peace (BBfP) program focus on teen women exclusively?

BBfP used to be offered exclusively to young women. But, in 2007, the program expanded to include teen men as well.  SCG believes that women must be included in peace processes if sustainable solutions are to be realized.  SCG’s programs are guided by a female-centered paradigm, as the methodology was developed to empower women with the tools and confidence to recognize within themselves the capacity to effect change and to take their seat at the negotiation table. In adapting to changing realities on the ground, SCG decided to build on the success of BBfP and include young males in 2007. SCG believes strongly that young men need opportunities to acquire skills that emphasize consensus building, communication, and collaborative partnerships – qualities that constitute the core basis of SCG’s female-centered approach, and that young women stand to benefit from honing their skills in a mixed gender environment.

How many young women and men have gone through your programs?

Since 1993, approximately 2,000 young women and men from the United States, Israel and the West Bank, Northern Ireland, and South Africa have participated in at least one of our programs.

Who can participate?

Click on the program name to read more.

Building Bridges for Peace: Females and males, ages 15-17, who come from Israel, Palestine, and across the U.S.

Denver International PEACE: Females and males, ages 15-17, who come from the greater Denver-metro area (including Boulder).

Badlands International PEACE: Females and males, ages 15-17, who come from the greater Badlands region of South Dakota (including Pine Ridge and Rapid City).

Interns for Peace: Past participants of SCG programs, of any age and background.

Adult community members are invited to take part in SCG’s Adult Study Trip for Peace, Empowerment and Change, the Peacebuilding Practitioner Institute and Peace Works Community-Based Programs.

How do your programs work?

The flagship Building Bridges for Peace (BBfP) program is based on a methodology proven to successfully reduce negative stereotyping and build foundational relationships between individuals.  This methodology is guided by the following components: perspective, identity; gender lens; integration; socialization; communication; leadership development; ongoing follow-up programming; and mentoring, which SCG identifies as the Building Blocks of Peaceful Communities. The BBfP methodology is used for all other SCG programs.

Participants begin their work in BBfP with a two-week summer intensive in Colorado.  During the summer intensive, they are integrated in community and dialogue groups, communication and leadership workshops, and arts, cultural, and outdoor activities.  The program provides a safe space for participants to learn new communication techniques, develop leadership skills, and discover the benefits of building inclusive communities.  By sharing their differences with one another, participants come to understand what they have in common. These experiences begin to break down stereotypes that lead to hate, racism, and often, to violence.

After the summer, participants return to their home communities and begin a yearlong follow-up program.  SCG views the follow-up as the ‘year of practice’ for participants.  The curriculum is designed to give participants the structure and support they need to put their ideas for social change into action while continuing to build the relationships they developed during the summer intensive.  The program is tailored to meet the unique skills, interests, and needs of each participant.

What are the goals or outcomes of Seeking Common Ground’s programs?

The goal of Seeking Common Ground’s (SCG) programs is to create a new generation of leaders who understand the complexities of inter- and intra-group conflict, and who have the tools to construct sustainable solutions for peace, both in the United States and around the world.  Through our programs, participants are empowered to:

1. •Share with those who have suffered oppression on the basis of race, sexual orientation, gender, class, and other factors to more fully understand the injustices of exclusion and discrimination in our world;
   

2. •Build relationships both within and across religious, cultural, racial, political, and other lines that have the potential for promoting peace and justice;
   

3. •Enhance their self-esteem and confidence that their own opinions, choices and ideas are valuable and deserve consideration;
   

4. •Express their own views and interpretations of faith, culture and identity as an individual; and,
   

5. •Develop individual and joint follow-up projects to improve their communities.
   

SCG’s 2009 report Building Bridges for Peace: An Intergroup Intervention for Israeli, Palestinian and American Teens, A Report on Theory, Best Practices and Evaluation after Fifteen Years provides evidence of the success of the BBfP program. Click here to download a pdf of the report.

Are there any employment, internship or volunteer opportunities at Seeking Common Ground?

Please visit the Get Involved page for announcements of job, internships and volunteer opportunities.

How large is the staff of Seeking Common Ground and who are they?

Please visit the Staff section of the About SCG page for information about our staff.

Who funds Seeking Common Ground?

Funding for SCG comes from foundations, corporations, family foundations, individual donations, program fees, and various fundraisers and consulting work. For annual financial information and a list of donors, please look at our 2008 Annual Report, click here.

How do I donate to Seeking Common Ground?

SCG welcomes donations of all shapes and sizes.  Every donation makes a difference in being able to offer exceptional programming to our participants. You may write a check (payable to Seeking Common Ground) and mail it to SCG, PO Box 101958, Denver, CO 80250 or you may donate by credit card by either calling the office (303.691.2393) or completing an appeal envelope. SCG also accepts non-monetary donations (frequent flier miles, office or program supplies, equipment, etc); please contact us at 303.691.2393 to see if what you have might be of use to use, or see the wish-list on our website.

Click here to donate online.

Who do I contact for more information?

For more information, please contact the SCG office in Denver, Colorado at info@s-c-g.org or (001) 303.691.2393.