With the ability to rally together, enlist support, and take action on vital issues, students are at the forefront of politics and social change. As the future leaders of this region, Palestinian and Israeli students must be encouraged to forge ties and engage in meaningful dialogue with counterparts from the "other side". Such dialogue builds the foundations for a strong civil society, which is integral to ensuring a stable and sustainable peace.

Recognizing the crucial role that students can play, the Peres Center launched the "Palestinian-Israeli Students" Program in 2003. With support from the German Federal Foreign Office and the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (2003 & 2004), and the Government of Denmark (2005 & 2006), this program engages a dynamic cross-section of Palestinian and Israeli students from a variety of disciplines in joint Working Groups.

Palestinian and Israeli university students that are studying the same discipline are brought together to participate in activities related to their field, thereby extending their knowledge and skills and engaging in critical dialogue. Moreover, the program provides a platform for the free exchange of ideas, and encourages the mutual examination of challenges faced by both societies. Such a joint working process helps to broaden perspectives, deepen students' understanding of socio-political aspects of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and instill values that favor peace and coexistence.

Upon graduation, many of the participants go on to become key players in their societies. As such, these students act as "agents of change", stimulating public debate, and ultimately contributing to the development of peace in the region.

Following past Student Working Groups for Psychology, Social Work and Behavioral Studies students, as well as Social Science and Humanities students, the Peres Center launched a Working Group for Palestinian and Israeli Architecture students called "Schema – Sketching Peace" Working Group. Furthermore, in January 2007, the Peres Center established a Palestinian-Israeli Mental Health Students Working Group.

In addition to Working Groups for students, the Peres Center facilitated Information Tours of the Separation Barrier in 2003, whereby students visited the Qalqilya and Jerusalem areas of the Separation Barrier, precisely at the time when the controversy over this barrier was at its peak.