Besides Conflict, what else is happening in Israel/Palestine?

Transcription

1 Besides Conflict, what else is happening in Israel/Palestine? Introduction and Purpose Current situation: multi-facetted Conflict How can drivers of conflict be moderated? Examples of conflict moderation Conclusions

2 TV Media image of Israel Tourism in Israel Tourism in Israel

3 Current Situation-a multi facetted conflict An historical land dispute. A dispute concerning resources, water & energy. Generations of wars & violence; a legacy of bitterness. Segregation, stereo typing of two communities. A political, and PR struggle in the internet era

4 Moderation of conflict drivers Land dispute Resources struggle Segregation of two communities Political and PR dispute

5 PR Of Peace PR Of Conflict

6 Moderation of segregation, stereo typing, demonisation House of Hope; Elias Jabour: results and feedback Nes Ammim; Dialogue Project; results and feedback Neve Shalom; results and feedback Peres Centre; aims and activities

7 The Peres Centre The Peres Center's peacebuilding activities are based on five main pillars: The first pillar is People-to-People Dialogue and Interaction. The cumbersome machinery of governments together with their shifting policies cannot always fulfill peacebuilding aspirations, and therefore, civil society cooperation is the foundation upon which future peace must be established. The Peres Center has launched a wide array of different programs which engage civil society leaders through common platforms, empowering them to serve as "agents of change" in their respective communities. In this vein, the Peres Center has initiated various activities in the fields of Education, Academia, Politics, Healthcare, Community Leadership, Sport and Professional Exchange.

8 Peres centre The second pillar is Capacity-Building through Cooperation. The Peres Center undertakes a concerted effort to increase the capacities of various sectors in the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Egypt through interaction with their Israeli counterparts, in the belief that it is in Israel's interest to be surrounded by neighbors with strong and viable economies and stable societies. Such activities support these sectors en-route to expanding and prospering, whilst simultaneously creating opportunities for cross-border relations and partnerships. In this vein, the Peres Center has initiated numerous projects in the fields of Agriculture, Medicine and Healthcare, and

9 Peres Centre The third pillar is Nurturing a Culture of Peace in the Region's Youth. Recognizing that today's youth are tomorrow's leaders, and that the "next" generation must embrace peace as a central objective, the Peres Center has initiated challenging and creative programs designed to change mindsets and alter the negative stereotypes that have evolved, in fields such as Sport, Education and Culture, and Information Technology.

10 Peres Centre The fourth pillar is Business and Economic Cooperation. As the Palestinian and Israeli private sectors are intertwined and interdependent, strong and viable economies serve to benefit both sides, and contribute to thriving societies and systems. The Peres Center designs and implements joint programs and activities that facilitate cross-border partnerships and contribute to the development of each independent economy, on both a micro and macro level. In this vein, the Peres Center has initiated various projects in the field of Business & Economics.

11 Peres Centre The fifth pillar is Humanitarian Responses. In light of the dire situation that exists in certain areas of the Palestinian Authority as a result of the lack of infrastructural development and continuing conflict, the Peres Center cooperates with Palestinian partners to provide real-time responses to humanitarian crises, initiating a major project in the field of Medicine and Healthcare, that aims to reduce morbidity and alleviate the mortality rate among Palestinian babies and children.

12 Conclusions Historical land dispute perpetuated by segregation of communities in the area. Conflict is multi- facetted, but can be moderated. Projects and initiative do exist, but contribution limited Results and research suggests attitudes can change at a grass roots level. Crucial area is the educational arena that can build on existing economic co-operation. Progress can have positive effects on the other facets of conflict.

13 Questions?