For the past 10 years, the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Â鶹ÊÓƵ has partnered with Shinnyo-en Foundation in their shared mission of developing young people as peacebuilders. In a world of division, both the Carter School and Shinnyo-en Foundation seek to bring different groups together, honoring every voice, navigating darkness, and illuminating paths toward peace.
Each year, Hawaii’s Shinnyo Lantern Floating Ceremony draws thousands to Ala Moana Beach on Memorial Day. This year, Jane Walker, director of student services at the Carter School, was invited to attend as a guest of Shinnyo-en Foundation.
The Lantern Floating Ceremony honors those who have passed, offering a collective moment for reflection, remembrance, and hope. The lanterns are released onto the water at sunset, symbolizing peace and connection across time and space. This year, 6,000 lanterns were set afloat, each representing personal stories of heartbreak and gratitude, among many other emotions of the evening.
Walker described the experience as profound. “I was moved by the quiet power of the ceremony and the shared human longing for peace, healing, and unity. It reminded me why peacebuilding work matters. The message, centered around fire and water—opposing elements, yet coexisting, deeply resonated with me. The lanterns, though fragile, lit the night without being extinguished or consumed. They floated through uncertain waters, offering light and harmony. This inspiring event refueled my commitment to support peacebuilding work.â€
In the past, Shinnyo-en Foundation offered a Fellowship to a single Carter School undergraduate student each year. This year, the foundation shifted their funding to support the Carter School’s Conflict Resolution Youth Summit (CRYS), a four-day learning experience for high school students to learn leadership and conflict resolution skills and to discuss current issues facing society.
The final Shinnyo-en Fellow was Jessica Jeffers, who, during her 2024-25 fellowship, worked with Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services in the Fairfax County Youth Innovation Unit. Jeffers worked with this unit to support the implementation of Re-Engagement Centers across Fairfax County, which assist youth ages 14–24 in continuing their educational journey and/or beginning their career pathways.
Jeffers further strengthened her skills in coordinating career fairs, facilitating youth focus groups, and supporting the development of a restorative justice initiative that focuses on peer-to-peer practices
The partnership between the Carter School and Shinnyo-en Foundation represents more than just shared programs or events; it embodies a commitment to the belief that peace is achievable and that young people are vital to creating it. When we work together, our lights combine to illuminate even the darkest waters.