Founded in 2006, the Euphrates Institute is a response to the critical national interests at stake in the Middle East, coupled with the troubling lack of public awareness about the region--especially regarding the local grassroots efforts to elevate society, reduce terrorism, and promote freedom.
About
Vision & Mission
Our vision is a world with less terrorism,
less conflict,
and less fear.
Our mission is to empower you to lessen terrorism, conflict, and fear in our world–starting with the Middle East and West.
We seek to ensure you are more informed about the issues, inspired by solutions, visionaries, and grassroots efforts already taking place, and transformed into someone who is making a difference in the world.
Our Story
It started with a river.
In early 2004 I was on a military base outside Fallujah, Iraq, during a major battle between US marines and Iraqi insurgents. Sitting on the bank of the Euphrates river several weeks later, I was struck by the calm, uninterrupted flow of the water.
With images of the conflict fresh in my mind, I couldn’t imagine how any two scenes could be more different. Yet, even through downtown Fallujah, the river surged on, untouched and unstopped by the chaos, death, and destruction happening around it, still bringing life, sustenance, and hope to the desert.
Since that day, I have tried to fully appreciate that powerful lesson. I often wonder how we can be more like the Euphrates river.
Inform
Educate yourself! Learn to think critically about politically and emotionally charged issues. Take your time, and learn to see from others’ perspectives.
Inspire
Discover the oft-untold local and regional stories of success and progress in order to aid their efforts for peace and amplify the voices of reason. There are plenty of outlets to hear about our enemies, but far too few to learn about our friends!
Transform
Active citizenship begins at home. How can you be a change agent and voice of reason in your own community?
Personal Transformation
“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.” --Author Unknown
How Innovations Spread
How many people does it take to spark massive social change? Just 1 out of 20! Are you one of them? We want to help create a tipping point of change in the way the West engages the Middle East---and by doing so, securing our vision of a world with less terrorism, conflict, and fear.
Reaching the Tipping Point of Social Change
In the first phase, proponents of a new idea must work incessantly just to keep the idea alive. This stage involves Innovators, people open to new ideas and courageous enough to espouse them. Because the idea is still seen as radically new, the recognized leaders of society rarely are among this group.
Program Offerings
Visionary Of The Year
Every year, the Euphrates Institute recognizes one person doing extraordinary work at a grassroots level, striving to make the idealistic realistic and the impossible possible. The Visionary of the Year award is a way for the Euphrates Institute to both honor and spotlight their work.
Euphrates Chapters
Chapters are local groups comprised of would-be global citizens who want to get informed and inform others about the issues, are inspired by examples of solutions to the region’s challenges, and transform their communities and their world.
Travel Study
Euphrates leads trips around the world connecting visionaries and inspiring hope. Join our Middle East trip to meet with the inspiring peacebuilders who are proving every day that peace is not only possible– it’s already happening!