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 bedroom 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 1987 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.
CFP in Israel and Palestine
CFP GRADUATION CEREMONY
CFP’s second class of teens with our partner Jerusalem Peacebuilders celebrated their graduation on February 12 with family and friends. We are very grateful to Haifa University for providing the 32nd floor reception room of the Eshkol Tower for the event. Each US regional group of teens shared their CFP experiences through speech, video and pictures. The evening concluded with a generous buffet of falafel, salads and cakes.
Creating Friendships for Peace Scholarship in Memory of Henry John McKinney, B.Sc. M.Sc.
Hila Elroy, HU’s Head of Government Relations, attended the graduation and welcomed all on behalf of the University. She took this occasion to officially announce CFP’s scholarship, made possible by John and Anne McKinney. This four-year undergraduate scholarship in science will be awarded to a deserving CFP Alum.
Northern Ireland Alumni
CFPNI Alumni Association
CFP is in the process of contacting CFPNI alumni to organize an alumni association. After Covid-19 restrictions are no longer a factor, a reunion will also be planned.
Our Programs
Cyprus Friendship Program
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the CFP Program in Cyprus will be held in Cyprus for the summer of 2020.
Jerusalem Friendship Program
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the CFP Program in Israel and Palestine will not be held this summer.
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.