I cannot teach anybody anything.

I can only make them think.

“I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think”
- Socrates.

I often ponder this quote when people ask me about the Peace Crane Project. At the Project’s core is not the obvious, but all the paths it opens for the students who participate. “I can’t fold a crane!” is probably the protest I hear most often. But the Project isn’t really about crane folding. Crane folding encourages patience, strengthens hand-eye coordination, empowers those who master the feat, and even more profoundly alerts the folder to the infinite possibilities in a single sheet of paper, something that at first glance seems so ordinary and finite. This discovery can translate to everything around us and open a new perspective for those ready to see it. But easier origami, penpal letter writing, and even coloring pages are also a great way to participate, and are available on our website. Whatever you use to communicate your wishes of peace to others, discovering and connecting with humanity is at the Project’s core. Connecting is increasingly critical to the wellbeing of our children, and ourselves. What we discover on our own is always more powerful than information spoonfed to us. Understanding others firsthand and getting a glimpse into their lives opens the door to kids thinking beyond their own experiences, hopefully leading to a greater curiosity about and empathy for the world. This is what the Project is about.

So what are the obstacles that are stopping every teacher in the world from enrolling their students in the Project? Running the Project here is a lot like writing a book. So much sweat goes into it, but I see very little of what happens once it is in your hands. About 35 countries have participated or have signed up for the Project so far in 2025. This is the best start we have had since before the pandemic. In 2019 we had 154 countries participate. Can we meet or beat that number this year? What are your suggestions for attracting even more participants? Your feedback is critical to our success. Thank you for your ideas.

Meanwhile, keep folding, or writing, or coloring. Send good wishes into the world.