"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."- Zoughbi Zoughbi

WI’AMWI’AM

Wi'am is a grass-roots organization that Wi'am is a grass-roots organization that has been in operation since 1995. At its has been in operation since 1995. At its inception it was a place for conflict inception it was a place for conflict transformation and mediation. Now in transformation and mediation. Now in addition, Wi'am is also a center for addition, Wi'am is also a center for community and peace building. We strive community and peace building. We strive to build a culture of nonviolence in to build a culture of nonviolence in Palestine and the area through workshops, Palestine and the area through workshops, mediation, human rights, advocacy, mediation, human rights, advocacy, counseling, and campaigns. It is also our counseling, and campaigns. It is also our hope to build a society that is nonviolently hope to build a society that is nonviolently active against fighting injustice and is active against fighting injustice and is politically and socially aware.politically and socially aware.

Our LogoOur Logo The star represents the city

and community of Bethlehem. It has been a symbol of this region from the early Christian era, and is today the official seal of the Bethlehem municipality.

The hands clasped together represents the act and spirit of reconciliation; instead of separate fists, which are the instruments of conflict.

The rays of light represent both the genuine struggle in non-violent reconciliation, and the enlightenment that comes with learning peaceful methods of conflict resolution.

Life in Palestine: The Context We Life in Palestine: The Context We Work InWork In::

• Lack of Land

•Restricted Movement

•Crumbling Economy and Infrastructure

•Insecurity and Instability

•Unknown Future

Lack of LandLack of Land Surrounding Bethlehem are Surrounding Bethlehem are 22 22

SettlementsSettlements which continue to which continue to suffocate the city and take land suffocate the city and take land away from Palestinians. And it is the away from Palestinians. And it is the same with all the Palestinian cities.same with all the Palestinian cities.

The The WallWall snakes into Bethlehem, snakes into Bethlehem, surrounding Rachelsurrounding Rachel’’s tomb, which s tomb, which was once a major tourist attraction was once a major tourist attraction and vibrant business area, ripping and vibrant business area, ripping away olive groves, and isolating away olive groves, and isolating families and communities. At least families and communities. At least 60% of Bethlehem has been 60% of Bethlehem has been confiscated by the Israeli confiscated by the Israeli occupation since 1967. occupation since 1967.

Restricted MovementRestricted Movement CheckpointsCheckpoints monitor and restrict our movement. monitor and restrict our movement.

These checkpoints not only exist along the Green Line, These checkpoints not only exist along the Green Line, they are present throughout the West Bank, currently they are present throughout the West Bank, currently there are over 612 checkpoints within the West Bank there are over 612 checkpoints within the West Bank

Road blocksRoad blocks are also issued in the West Bank to are also issued in the West Bank to prevent passage on certain roads deemed only for prevent passage on certain roads deemed only for Israelis and Internationals.Israelis and Internationals.

Movements’ StrangulationMovements’ Strangulation

ClosuresClosures also restrict the movement of also restrict the movement of Palestinians. Although many Palestinians Palestinians. Although many Palestinians used to work in Jerusalem where they could used to work in Jerusalem where they could receive higher wages, it is now closed, and receive higher wages, it is now closed, and only Palestinians with permits can cross. only Palestinians with permits can cross. This not only has devastating economic This not only has devastating economic effects, it also divides families. In the event effects, it also divides families. In the event of a Jewish holiday or escalation of violence of a Jewish holiday or escalation of violence a complete closure is implemented, not a complete closure is implemented, not even allowing those with permits to enter. even allowing those with permits to enter. Very few Palestinians have permits.Very few Palestinians have permits.

Insecurity and InstabilityInsecurity and Instability Many Palestinians Many Palestinians

experience experience violence,violence, abuse and Human Rights abuse and Human Rights violationviolation at checkpoints at checkpoints

Israeli soldiers frequently Israeli soldiers frequently enter Bethlehem and the enter Bethlehem and the rest of the Palestinian rest of the Palestinian areas, areas, arresting arresting people people without warrants and without warrants and instilling fear ininstilling fear in the entire the entire community with sound community with sound bombs, tear gas, and bombs, tear gas, and gunfire.gunfire.

Photo from B’Tselem

Crumbling Economy and Crumbling Economy and InfrastructureInfrastructure

Bethlehem suffers from high Bethlehem suffers from high unemployment at least 40% nowunemployment at least 40% now

The tourism industry is still trying to The tourism industry is still trying to recover from the siege started in 2000recover from the siege started in 2000

Our hospitals, roads, and government Our hospitals, roads, and government buildings are crumbling, and are unable buildings are crumbling, and are unable to provide the needed servicesto provide the needed services

We have inherited a devastated We have inherited a devastated infrastructure on all levelsinfrastructure on all levels

Lack of ResourcesLack of Resources

The Israelis control The Israelis control our water, and as a our water, and as a result we have a result we have a water crisis every water crisis every summer. Water from summer. Water from our reservoirs go to our reservoirs go to keep lush keep lush settlements green, settlements green, while our tanks run while our tanks run dry.dry.

Photo from B’Tselem

Unknown FutureUnknown Future

The future here is unknown. We are The future here is unknown. We are unsure when/if we will have our own unsure when/if we will have our own safe haven, whether todaysafe haven, whether today’’s calm will s calm will bring tomorrowbring tomorrow’’s storm, or if we will s storm, or if we will suddenly all become refugees. The suddenly all become refugees. The only thing predictable in our future is only thing predictable in our future is that it is unpredictable. that it is unpredictable.

We have four types of (flight) We have four types of (flight) emigration: youth, family, emigration: youth, family, intelligence (brain drain), and capital intelligence (brain drain), and capital as a result of the gross deterioration as a result of the gross deterioration of economy and human security. of economy and human security.

ResultResult As a result of the pressures on the society, As a result of the pressures on the society,

the ground has become tense. Factionalism the ground has become tense. Factionalism and tribalism is on the rise, so too is stress-and tribalism is on the rise, so too is stress-related illness. Feelings of hopelessness related illness. Feelings of hopelessness pervade the society, and emigration is on pervade the society, and emigration is on the rise. The population raised under the the rise. The population raised under the culture of violence of the occupation has led culture of violence of the occupation has led to a pressure-cooker situation where conflict to a pressure-cooker situation where conflict escalates very quicklyescalates very quickly

……it is in this context we workit is in this context we work

Our WorkOur Work

Sulha ( Ministry of Reconciliation) MediationSulha ( Ministry of Reconciliation) Mediation WomenWomen’’s Activitiess Activities ChildrenChildren’’s Activitiess Activities Youth ActivitiesYouth Activities Citizen DiplomacyCitizen Diplomacy Job CreationJob Creation

Sulha Mediation:Sulha Mediation:Community-Based Community-Based

MediationMediation

Traditions of SulhaTraditions of Sulha

Sulha, the traditional Arab method of resolving Sulha, the traditional Arab method of resolving conflicts, has its historical roots even before the conflicts, has its historical roots even before the dawn of Islam dawn of Islam

Its historic emergence is in early Semitic writings and Its historic emergence is in early Semitic writings and in later Christian records dating back to the first in later Christian records dating back to the first century A.D.century A.D.  

It is typical to the Arab culture and literature and has It is typical to the Arab culture and literature and has been passed from one generation to another. been passed from one generation to another.

It is based on common principles and collective It is based on common principles and collective wisdom recognized within pluralistic communities wisdom recognized within pluralistic communities and formed across religions, political and ethnic and formed across religions, political and ethnic differences.differences.  

Many of the traditions of Sulha could be traced into Many of the traditions of Sulha could be traced into the Abrahamic religions. the Abrahamic religions.

Sulha at WI’AMSulha at WI’AM In the office we have a marriage between the In the office we have a marriage between the

traditional ways of dealing with conflict and the traditional ways of dealing with conflict and the international schools of conflict international schools of conflict transformation/resolution. transformation/resolution.

Story telling, contextualized proverbs, and sayings lay Story telling, contextualized proverbs, and sayings lay the basic pillars for a healthy atmosphere which allows the basic pillars for a healthy atmosphere which allows parties concerned to have rapprochement.parties concerned to have rapprochement.    

WiWi’’am deploys Sulha as a way to empower the rule of am deploys Sulha as a way to empower the rule of law, complementing it, rather than replacing it.law, complementing it, rather than replacing it.

The underlying purpose: restoration of peaceful The underlying purpose: restoration of peaceful relationships, redressing injustices, and resolving relationships, redressing injustices, and resolving conflicts between individuals, families, neighborhoods conflicts between individuals, families, neighborhoods different groups, and the local population through the different groups, and the local population through the vehicles of shuttle diplomacy vehicles of shuttle diplomacy

WiWi’’am has approximately 350 cases a yearam has approximately 350 cases a year

Steps to Sulha: Let’s us give you a Steps to Sulha: Let’s us give you a taste of ittaste of it

The first step "hudne" or a truce: Mediators are deployed The first step "hudne" or a truce: Mediators are deployed and get both sides to agree to a truce for a determined and get both sides to agree to a truce for a determined period of time. During that time mediators use shuttle period of time. During that time mediators use shuttle diplomacy to listen to both sides of the conflict the truce diplomacy to listen to both sides of the conflict the truce will help both parties to cool down. . will help both parties to cool down. .

Second step is "atweSecond step is "atwe““: This is when a leader of one party : This is when a leader of one party goes to the other, ready to satisfy the othergoes to the other, ready to satisfy the other ’’s demands. s demands. Some conflict may take a few months to reach this point Some conflict may take a few months to reach this point and while other conflicts such as honor or killings may take and while other conflicts such as honor or killings may take 2-3 years. 2-3 years.

The last step is Sulha: This is where both groups meet, The last step is Sulha: This is where both groups meet, shake hands, and lastly drink coffee together. If both sides shake hands, and lastly drink coffee together. If both sides drink coffee it is a sign of resolution.drink coffee it is a sign of resolution.

Women’s Department

Civil TrainingVocational TrainingCounseling AdvocacyRecreational Activities

Civil TrainingCivil Training

Conflict Conflict ResolutionResolution

AdvocacyAdvocacy NonviolenceNonviolence Human Rights & Human Rights &

DemocracyDemocracy WomenWomen’’s Rightss Rights Gender EqualityGender Equality

Vocational TrainingVocational Training

EmbroideryEmbroidery Pastry Pastry Olive SoapOlive Soap Flower ArrangingFlower Arranging MosaicsMosaics BeadingBeading Glass PaintingGlass Painting Stained Glass Stained Glass

AdvocacyAdvocacy

WomenWomen’’s Rightss Rights Participation in Civil SocietyParticipation in Civil Society Operation 1325Operation 1325 Women in Leadership & Women in Leadership &

Empowerment in Elections Empowerment in Elections Campaign against Campaign against womenwomen’’s abuses abuse

Recreational & Educational Recreational & Educational ActivitiesActivities

Field TripsField Trips BingoBingo Joint GatheringsJoint Gatherings

CounselingCounseling

In order for women to be empowered In order for women to be empowered they must also receive healing. they must also receive healing. Through our workshops, women have Through our workshops, women have approached our trainers who have or approached our trainers who have or still live in a violent atmosphere, still live in a violent atmosphere, where they or their children are the where they or their children are the victims of violence. Therefore we victims of violence. Therefore we provide counseling to the women and provide counseling to the women and children from violent homes. children from violent homes.

Children’s DepartmentChildren’s Department

•Educational Activities

•Recreational Activities

•Counseling

•Summer Camp

•Identity Awareness

Educational ActivitiesEducational Activities Nonviolent problem Nonviolent problem

solving and conflict solving and conflict resolutionresolution

Peer MediationPeer Mediation ChildrenChildren’’s Rightss Rights Team workTeam work Environmental awareness Environmental awareness Gender EqualityGender Equality Importance of Importance of

VolunteeringVolunteering

Recreational ActivitiesRecreational Activities CraftsCrafts GamesGames Field TripsField Trips

CounselingCounseling

70% at least of children in our 70% at least of children in our society have been traumatized from society have been traumatized from living under the conditions of living under the conditions of occupation. Our workers have been occupation. Our workers have been trained to notice children who have trained to notice children who have experienced trauma and our center experienced trauma and our center provides trauma counseling and provides trauma counseling and trauma coping skills for these cases.trauma coping skills for these cases.

Summer CampSummer Camp

Educational ActivitiesEducational Activities– NonviolenceNonviolence– Positive BehaviorPositive Behavior– Environmental Environmental

AwarenessAwareness Recreational ActivitiesRecreational Activities

– GamesGames– CraftsCrafts– TheatreTheatre– SwimmingSwimming

Field TripsField Trips– RamallahRamallah– JerichoJericho– Theme ParksTheme Parks

Identity AwarenessIdentity Awareness Dabka( Folklore) Dabka( Folklore)

DancingDancing TheatreTheatre Visiting ElderlyVisiting Elderly Learning about Learning about

Palestinian IdentityPalestinian Identity

Youth DepartmentYouth Department

• Civil Education

•Training for Trainers

•Conferences and Cultural Exchanges

•Volunteer Work

Civil EducationCivil Education

DemocracyDemocracy Conflict ResolutionConflict Resolution Human RightsHuman Rights Gender EqualityGender Equality Palestinian IdentityPalestinian Identity NonviolenceNonviolence AdvocacyAdvocacy Dialogue of Culture Dialogue of Culture

& Religion& Religion Civil society Civil society

Training for TrainersTraining for Trainers Young people have been able to take part in a Young people have been able to take part in a

civic education program which not only civic education program which not only educates and provides young people with skills educates and provides young people with skills in conflict transformation, mediation, human in conflict transformation, mediation, human rights, gender equality, and democratic rights, gender equality, and democratic governance, but also trains them to be able to governance, but also trains them to be able to educate others as well. This training allows the educate others as well. This training allows the young people to learn and take what they have young people to learn and take what they have learnt to their social peer groups, whether in learnt to their social peer groups, whether in their universities or social clubs. their universities or social clubs.

Not only does this educate young people about Not only does this educate young people about governance and nonviolent conflict resolution, governance and nonviolent conflict resolution, it also promotes the development of both it also promotes the development of both leadership and communication skills.leadership and communication skills.

Conferences and Cultural Conferences and Cultural ExchangesExchanges

Our youth have been able to take part in Our youth have been able to take part in various conferences and cultural exchanges. various conferences and cultural exchanges. These events have taken them to Germany, These events have taken them to Germany, France, Jordan, Italy, S. Korea, Japan, and France, Jordan, Italy, S. Korea, Japan, and Spain, USA, and Canada, just to name a few.Spain, USA, and Canada, just to name a few.

Volunteer WorkVolunteer Work The youth help lead The youth help lead

the various the various childrenchildren’’s program s program and help implement and help implement the various Withe various Wi’’am am services we provideservices we provide

Citizen DiplomacyCitizen Diplomacy

•Discussion

•Advocacy

•Tours

•Public Speaking

•Dialogue of Cultures & Religions

Discussion, Tours and Discussion, Tours and AdvocacyAdvocacy

Our aim is to encourage more Our aim is to encourage more travel to Palestine, organize home travel to Palestine, organize home stays with Palestinian families, and stays with Palestinian families, and provide volunteer opportunities provide volunteer opportunities with Palestinian NGOs.with Palestinian NGOs.

We encourage a dialogue of We encourage a dialogue of cultures and religions. Wi'am cultures and religions. Wi'am offers a wide range of programs offers a wide range of programs for groups to meet with for groups to meet with Palestinian and Israeli Palestinian and Israeli representatives to understand representatives to understand the political situation first hand.the political situation first hand.

Our Citizen Diplomacy program Our Citizen Diplomacy program allows for internationals to come allows for internationals to come and be hosted in Palestine and and be hosted in Palestine and to hear and be a witness to the to hear and be a witness to the Palestinian story.Palestinian story.

Public SpeakingPublic Speaking

Every year members of our staff travel Every year members of our staff travel around the world to different around the world to different conferences to take part in different conferences to take part in different public speaking opportunities, public speaking opportunities, centered around nonviolence and the centered around nonviolence and the occupation. occupation.

Our hope is not only to build Our hope is not only to build awareness but to also build awareness but to also build relationships across cultures, breaking relationships across cultures, breaking down stereotypes.down stereotypes.

ConclusionConclusion

Wi'am is committed to meeting the needs Wi'am is committed to meeting the needs of the community, to help the people of the community, to help the people resolve conflict, restore relationships, and resolve conflict, restore relationships, and instill a sense joy.instill a sense joy.

It is our hope that some day the tension in It is our hope that some day the tension in the streets and homes will be replaced with the streets and homes will be replaced with laughter, peace, and freedom.laughter, peace, and freedom.

A human being is part of a whole, A human being is part of a whole, called by us the "Universe," a part called by us the "Universe," a part

limited in time and space. He limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and experiences himself, his thoughts and

feelings, as something separated feelings, as something separated from the rest--a kind of optical from the rest--a kind of optical

delusion of his consciousness. This delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, delusion is a kind of prison for us,

restricting us to our personal desires restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons and to affection for a few persons

nearest us. Our task must be to free nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by ourselves from this prison by

widening our circles of compassion to widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the embrace all living creatures and the

whole of nature in its beautywhole of nature in its beauty".".       --     --    Albert Einstein, What I BelieveAlbert Einstein, What I Believe, 1930, 1930