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 …

CFP remembers former Cypriot President George Vassiliou

We are deeply saddened by the loss of the former president of the Republic of Cyprus, George Vassiliou, a leader who will be remembered for his sincere efforts, dedication, and struggle for peace. He was widely known as one of the most Turkish-friendly Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus, and as someone who genuinely believed in dialogue, mutual respect, and coexistence. His commitment to peace and reconciliation left a meaningful impact on many people and communities. Our Cypriot coordinators had the honor of meeting him in person at his Nicosia office in 2015.

Cypriot Graduation Celebration

At their graduation in October, the teens shared an original musical piece they wrote and composed, presented a video created by the group that was hosted in Southwest Washington and Portland, Oregon, and performed additional musical numbers.One of the most touching highlights of the Cypriot graduation came when two sets of parents, whose daughters were paired together in the US, spoke about their experiences. Their reflections reminded us that CFP’s impact extends beyond the teens themselves, creating lasting bonds of friendship and trust among families. These moments affirm that our work truly matters in building bridges that lead toward peace. We …

Middle East Graduation Celebration

The CFP Middle East program took a significant step forward in 2025 by hosting its first Israel-based camp program for Jewish and Arab youth. The program brought together participants from different parts of the country who participated in a 10-day program, based in Karmiel, in the northern part of the country.We are grateful to the dedication and support of our team there, led by Yasmine Masri and Rivkah Hanssen. Participants were presented with certificates in recognition of their active involvement and their commitment to peace building. Also during the October visit, very productive meetings were held at Haifa University at their …

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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