Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy
MEND (Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy ) is an NGO whose objective is to establish a non-violent Palestinian civil society. It has been active since 1998 in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Concept
With the concept of Active Nonviolence approach MEND aims of Palestinian civil society to solve a prospect to open conflicts nonviolently. In order to create such awareness MEND tries to unconventional methods, while populations are preferably addressed are disadvantaged in Palestinian society in general. There are therefore targeted women and youth addressed.
Projects
MEND is trying through various projects access to the Palestinian population to get, including, without limitation:
- Workshops - In regularly scheduled workshops, which take place in the course of several weeks of camps, so-called Menders are formed. These are usually Palestinian students who are familiar with the principle of Active Nonviolence approach. The trained Menders then have the opportunity to pass on their knowledge gradually in the regional Active Nonviolence Center their home places the population at large.
- Sesame Street Project - MEND created based on the world famous television series Sesame Street work materials that were specifically targeted at preschoolers. Thus, the goal was to eliminate the prevailing lack of appropriate teaching materials for moderate preschoolers.
- Activists Talk - Through video conferencing MEND activists are given the opportunity to interact with each other. The personal exchange of visits designed within the Palestinian territories difficult because the political situation, travel is associated with a considerable amount of time.
Dissemination
MEND has managed since 2002 to build up a network of Active Nonviolence Center over the entire West Bank and Gaza Strip. As of 2010 the following branches are active:
- East Jerusalem ( office )
- Hebron
- El- Azarjeh
- Jenin
- Jericho
- Nablus
- Qalqiliya
- Ramallah
- Tulkarm
- Gaza