In the torrent of hate propaganda,
a tiny voice is speaking out for
decency and humanity and asking
others to join. - mideastweb.org
Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
The First Steps
To A Better Future
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Reasons for hope:
These are a few of the efforts through which Palestinians,
Israelis and Americans are already trying to create a better future.
These efforts provide reason for hope that peaceful coexistence is
possible, but the climate of bitterness and distrust has kept that
hope from taking root.
What's needed is a transformational development that would allow
all these positive interactions to bear fruit. By building and
demonstrating mass support for peaceful engagement, we can
help start the process of healing from the past years of violence.
That will allow all sides to believe that progress is possible and
create a climate in which positive political developments are more
likely.
The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in memory of journalist
Daniel Pearl to further the ideals that inspired Daniel's life and work.
The foundation's mission is to promote the cross-cultural
understanding that can overpower hatred through journalism, music,
and innovative communications.
MidEast Web for Coexistence works to promote dialogue, and to
make non-violence, tolerance and rapprochement key values in our
societies. For charitable organizations and dialogue groups, MidEast
Web is a shared publicity resource - and a place to find resources to
help them in their work. (Thanks to MidEastWeb for providing
indispensable advice in the development of FirstStepsToPeace.org.)
Hope Flowers School is a Palestinian school in the south
Bethlehem area of the West Bank, dedicated to education for
coexistence, peace, non-violence and democracy. It was founded
with a goal of building conditions for peace with the Israeli people,
while concentrating on meeting the basic needs of Palestinian
children.
The Parents’ Circle Families Forum includes hundreds of Israeli
and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones as a result of the
Israeli-Arab conflict. They seek to promote dialogue and mutual
understanding as the only way to reach true coexistence and peace.
OneVoice is a grassroots movement that uses technology to
enable ordinary Palestinian and Israeli citizens to craft a public
consensus around issues at the heart of the conflict. It aims to
amplify the voice of the overwhelming but heretofore silent majority
of moderates who wish for peace and prosperity.
Middle East Nonviolence & Democracy (MEND) is a Palestinian
organization whose mission is to promote the principles and practice
of democracy within Palestinian society. MEND has worked on
developing a program of nonviolence education and conflict
resolution in schools in the greater Jerusalem area, Ramallah and
Bethlehem.
Walk the Road to Peace is a national campaign initiated by
American Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders to support the Road
Map to Peace in the Middle East. The "Walk" is an effort to rally
religious leaders and their constituents to support peace and
security for Israelis and Palestinians and counter the forces of
violence and fundamentalism.
Seeds of Peace seeks to sow the seeds of peace among the next
generation of leaders by enabling them to see the human face of
their enemies. It is dedicated to empowering young leaders from
regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance
reconciliation and coexistence.
Crossing Borders facilitates dialogue between Arab and Israeli
youth through face-to-face meeting, writing and participation in joint
courses with other young people across the Middle East. Its goal is
to promote mutual understanding by creating a network of young
people in the Middle East who can share experiences and exchange
ideas.
Middleway is an initiative to promote non-violence, conflict
resolution and dialogue through a series of silent walks by Jews and
Arabs in Israel.
The Palestine-Israel Journal is a non-profit publication produced
by Israelis and Palestinians to promote dialogue in the search for
peaceful relations. This joint venture testifies to the fact that it is
possible to work together in a spirit of mutual respect, cooperation
and recognition, even on most conflicting issues.
Bitterlemons.org presents Israeli and Palestinian views on
prominent issues concerning the Middle East conflict and peace
process. Its goal is to contribute to mutual understanding through
the open exchange of ideas. It is produced by Ghassan Khatib, a
Palestinian, and Yossi Alpher, an Israeli.
Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group of California is
an effort to discover common ground and improve the environment
for reconciliation. They seek to promote a model for healing,
creativity, and cooperation for Palestinians and Jews in Israel and
Palestine, and for other peoples worldwide.
ETHS Middleground is a nonpartisan Illinois high school group
dedicated to furthering their own knowledge, educating others and
encouraging dialogue about the Middle East.
