Creating Friendships for Peace – People UNITED in Countries Divided

Our Programs

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Cyprus Friendship Program

The Cyprus Friendship Program brings together teenagers from both Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking Cypriot communities to promote peaceful interaction and understanding between the two groups. CFP is a two year peace-building and leadership training program in Cyprus, with a four week component in the United States in the summer.

Middle East Friendship Program

The Middle East Friendship Program brings together teenagers from both Hebrew-speaking and Arab-speaking communities to promote peaceful interaction and understanding between the two groups. This is a two year peace-building and leadership training program in Israel/Palestine, with a four week component in the United States in the summer.

U.S. Teen Program

Peacebuilding and conflict prevention are not challenges confined to distant lands; the United States, grappling with increasing polarization and social divisions, is certainly not immune. To navigate these complex landscapes, it is crucial that all youth feel empowered to learn skills that enable them to understand diverse narratives and cultivate critical listening abilities, fostering empathy and bridging divides within your own communities.

About Us

Creating Friendships for Peace, Inc. is a volunteer grassroots organization whose mission is to promote and strengthen friendships between teens from divided communities and extend those friendships to their families and friends. The friendships are developed through home stays with American families. Each family hosts two teens – one from each side of a conflict. The teen pair shares a room and learns about each other, understanding their different perspectives and realizing that friendships can develop despite significant political and cultural differences. With friendship, an atmosphere is created that allows for mutual respect and understanding – a key ingredient for peace. CFP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the United States. Our volunteers were active in Northern Ireland from 1981 until 2007. We are currently active in Cyprus since 2009 and Israel/Palestine since 2018. In our efforts to maintain neutrality, we do not accept government funding and rely solely on gifts from individuals, charitable foundations and businesses who wish to make a difference for peace in the world. Creating Friendships for Peace believes in self-determination and peaceful conflict resolution for all cultures and nations. “I know if everyone had a sister/brother/sibling on the other side that they felt close to as much as I did to my pair, we would all be so much closer to peace.” Summer ’22 CFP Teen

Latest News

CFP Recognition

We are pleased to announce that Board Chair Linda Ziglar has joined the Advisory Board of the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. Congratulations to former Executive Director Betsy Small, whose book Before Before: A Story of Discovery and Loss in Sierra Leone has been honored in two book competitions.● 2025 Foreword INDIES Finalist for Political and Social Sciences● 2026 Nautilus Silver Book Award in World Cultures’ Transformational Growth & Development For decades, the work of CFP has been made possible through volunteers in the United States and abroad who demonstrate a commitment to our youth first …

We Remember Nick Germanacos

We are deeply saddened to report that Nick Germanacos, CFP Board Director Emeritus, passed away last week in San Francisco after a long illness. Nick joined the CFP board in 2011, when the Cyprus Friendship Program was formed. He and his wife Anne had run the Ithaka Cultural Studies Program on the islands of Kalymnos and Crete for nearly 30 years. Born in Cyprus, Nick brought this educational experience and his personal understanding of the Cyprus conflict to guide CFP policy and curriculum development. His energy, wit, and insight spurred board discussion in meaningful ways. His spirit, wisdom and humor …

Read Prior News

Testimonials

Desmond TutuThe Elders

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu to 2012 CFP Graduation

“Sometimes you might feel that you are alone in this kind of work. Today, take a look around and realise that you are all part of something much bigger – bound together by a shared commitment to our common humanity. Remember that the sea is just drops of water that have come together. And together you can do extraordinary things.”

Institute of PeaceWashington, DC

2015 Peacebuilding Through Education Conference

“For peacebuilding to succeed it must take root at the community level. Communities working together to find common ground, support and communications. It must move beyond governmental action to individuals and community leaders to succeed long term.”

2019 Cypriot TeenCyprus

I would like to be considered as best friends with my pair after this month, and I plan on showing my relationship with him as an example to peers of mine, as a concrete fact that peace is possible and also essential.

2019 Jerusalem TeenIsrael/Palestine

My experience with my pair was super meaningful and important for both of us! Finally we got the opportunity to speak without being stopped by people and finally we got to some agreements and we understood each other.

Interested in becoming a CFP Host? Find information here