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Israel/Palestine
Making Peace in the Holy Land
IPF Local Partner: Wi'am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Centre
IPF Project: Wi'Am YOUTH and CHILDREN Projects. Empowering Youth Initiatives & the Spirit of Voluntarism
Location: Palestine
Peacemakers Zoughbi Zoughbi - Wi'am Director
Background
IPF partners with Wi'am - The Palestinian Conflict Resolution Centre
in the heart of Bethlehem. Wi'am is a grassroots organization that
strives alongside other democratic forces present in the community to
build a culture of nonviolence and promote cross/inter-cultural
dialogue.
Their aim is to improve the quality of a variety of relationships in the Palestinian community by: addressing injustices rather than avenging them; dignifying persons on both sides of the conflict; and promoting human rights and advocating for peace among all people.
They also strive to build a democratic and pluralistic society with a focus on active youth participation in community building and the use of non-violent methods to deal with conflicts.
Wi'am
focus on experiential learning, creative involvement, appreciative
inquiry and perspective building through interactive workshops,
trainings and discussions in conflict transformation, non-violent
communication, leaderships skills, mediation and voluntarism as a way
of life. These include role-plays, case studies, simulations, group
activities, small and large group discussions, personal inquiry and
input sessions.
Wi'am Director Zoughbi Zoughbi says:
"The Israeli- imposed closure of Jerusalem creates enormous hardships in Palestinian society.
"People lack the means to meet the basic needs of their families, feeding the cycle of violence on every level of society. As a result of these problems, we are facing a growing demand for the work of Conflict Resolution, Mediation and Reconciliation." "We are like an Olive tree, with its roots deeply rooted in the ground, and branches that reach out to the world. Our words produce more than sound, they walk tall to the four corners of earth. For some, the day to day activities are only part of the job, but here-it is a commitment to serve and enrich the community relationships to be an integral part of the future and change."
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