The Camp David Initiative
Jerome M. Segal
March 15, 2022
1. Camp David Center for People-to-People Peacemaking
● Conference center
● Camp David style quarters for Track-2 retreats
● This coming year hosting:
○ Israeli and Palestinian civil society – UNSCOP-2 “Going Directly to the Israeli and Palestinian People” process*
○ Global conference on International Climate Justice
2. Camp David Institute of the Liberal Arts
· 2 or 4 year college program affiliated with existing educational institution
● Emphasis on fields and careers related to issues of war and peace, social justice, and conflict resolution whether interpersonal, societal or international
● Traditional liberal arts subjects approached through the lens of human conflict in its multiple dimensions
● In-residence scholars in relevant fields
3. Camp David Summer Camp
● Free, residential summer camp for children from low-income families around the state
● Place of summer fun, and escape from concrete to nature the mean streets
● Offers training and work opportunities for at-risk young adults from “tough neighborhoods” to become counselors and thus caregivers for younger children**
● A camp experience that will inculcate the culture of non-violence and the teaching of de-escalation of disputes, and the use of argumentation rather than argument
● Follow up for camp participants would be year-round, (both campers and counselors) – with Winter and Spring break sessions at Camp to re-enforce the camp ethos.
Broad view:
● Maryland would, along with being “The Graceful Simplicity State,” would be “The Peace-Making State.”
● State would provide an annual budget in support of all three institutions.
● Possible local government, City and County participation – in planning and budget
● The Institute would be in Frederick City
● Camp and Retreat Center would be in Frederick County but outside Frederick City
Funding for the Camp would be a public-privatebe public-private initiative. In particular the business community of Baltimore would be encouraged to provide funding.
* See: “Going Directly to Israelis and Palestinians” by Shlomo ben-Ami, Javier Solana, Thomas C. Schelling, Jerome M. Segal, New York Times, (global edition), May 30, 2012.Shlomo Ben-Ami was Israel’s foreign minister, 2000-2001. Thomas C. Schelling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2005 for his work on conflict and cooperation. Jerome M. Segal directs the Peace Consultancy Project at the University of Maryland’s Department of Philosophy. Javier Solana was the European Union’s High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, 1999-2009.
** Camp counselors guide and ensure the safety of children as they engage in camp activities. They assist in the activity planning process, receive special training to fully support children, and lead them as they participate in camp events.