Abraham Path Initiative

Abraham Path Initiative (API) was established in 2006 at Harvard University's Program on Negotiation as a non-religious and non-political organization dedicated to connecting parts of the world through the simple act of walking. During API's first trip, a group of 25 researchers and explorers traveled the famous path that biblical figure Abraham walked millennia ago. Since then, API has led tens of thousands of travelers across this path and other Middle Eastern historic routes through Jordan, Palestine, Sinai, and Turkey.

At the center of these tours is storytelling; as participants walk, they hear and share stories of the region's people. The tales cover topics ranging from the perseverance of ancient religion and architecture to the effects of climate change. Through these experiences, API bolsters economic growth and fosters understanding across challenging intercultural and intergenerational divides, in one of the world's most contested regions. In recent years, API's work has expanded to include the API Fellows Program for writers, researchers, and explorers to more broadly disseminate the stories uncovered during walks along the trails.