Euphrates Institute

The Euphrates Institute is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to equip, connect, and uplift emerging peacebuilders worldwide. 

As the Euphrates river brings life-giving waters to the Middle Eastern desert, and tranquility and beauty to war zones, we envision a future in which all humanity lives from oneness with each other and the earth. 

We believe grassroots global citizens can become peacebuilders who partner, advocate, and deeply connect with and for each other. We practice peace in our personal, interpersonal, and communal lives. As we cultivate communities of communities who choose peace, a critical mass of peacebuilders will effect systemic change globally. These deep relationships to one’s self and others built on understanding, compassion, and love will inspire and expand awareness of the interconnectedness of all living beings. We believe a global community of every day peacebuilders will end violence in all forms, from the personal to the global. 

Our values serve as our guiding principles. Together we strive to embody and practice our values in our work and daily lives. Each of our values both root us in our purpose as individuals and in community, and drive us forward on our paths of peace.

Understanding

We believe understanding people, systems, and realities around us serves as the entry point to transforming conflicts and living life in trust with others. We believe listening from the heart promotes mutual understanding. We utilize compassionate listening, storytelling, and education to engage with those who are different from us and to embrace the experiences of others.

Inspiration

We believe in the visionaries, pioneers, and leaders who come before us. We focus on their models and examples to ignite inspiration in ourselves and our communities. This inspiring spirit breathes life into our work, and opens gateways to further creativity, innovation, and models of hope.

Transformation

We believe people are ever-evolving, ever-growing beings. We see beauty in the unknown, and opportunity for growth in transformation. We use inspiration to propel us beyond our current ideas and ways of being, and leap into the unknown to discover new chapters of ourselves. We recognize that faith in the transformation process requires courage, and ultimately leads to being our most authentic selves.

Service

We believe we all hold responsibility in creating and uplifting the world we want to live in. We continuously integrate our ideals and learning with practical experience and inspired action. Our service to humanity and the planet is our commitment to investing in our shared future and impact.

Sustainability

We believe people and nature provide endless lessons and models on connection, beauty, peace, and abundance. We listen to and learn from these lessons to pass on our efforts to others. We sustain ourselves and our planet by viewing each living being as a partner and peer, equal in value, worth, and contribution. Our connection through community sustains us, and together will sustain peace across our planet.

Oneness

We believe the world is interdependent and interconnected. We see the innate value and dignity in each person regardless of race, religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, class, etc. and in all nature. We live out from this standpoint and understand our actions have rippling impact around the world. We believe our individual prosperity is intricately interwoven with the prosperity of every other living being, even oceans apart. We can only thrive by thriving together. We are one.

Love

We believe love is the highest value. Love is our breath, and sustains us in all we do. Love for ourselves, others, and the planet serves as our guiding universal goal, and grounds us in our purpose. We live and lead with and from love.