Context
Today, around five million people are registered as Palestine refugees with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). It is one of the longest-running crises in the world. Displacement began immediately after the Partition Resolution of the United Nations and the creation of Israel in 1948.
The Palestinian territories are geographically, politically and institutionally fragmented into the West Bank (Areas A, B and C), East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Since 1967, the subsequent Israeli occupation has created a divided and discorded Palestinian society.
More than 1.5 million Palestinian refugees live in 58 recognised Palestine refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Being refugees, they are socially isolated and stigmatised. They have no civil rights and are subject to systematic discrimination. The majority of inhabitants of refugee camps in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is youth, with around 40 per cent of inhabitants under the age of 19. Given the high level of unemployment, poverty and often daily violence, these young people are growing up without prospects.
Objective
Fragmentation of Palestinian society is reduced through fostering and strengthening a sense of community. Harmful stereotypes and prejudices are deconstructed. Through art, culture and sports children and youth develop their creative expression and learn to overcome psychological and emotional barriers. Young people have gained a non-violent perspective on life and are accompanied on their way to realising this.
Civil Peace Service (CPS). Palestinian children and young adults train for an event. © GIZ
Approach
Through its partner organisations the Civil Peace Service (CPS) supports young Palestinians in refugee camps and marginalised areas in using alternative forms of expression derived from art, culture and sports.
Through CPS’ partner organisations safe spaces are provided in which these alternative methods, such as cultural pedagogy and art, are developed to promote prospects of a life free from violence. Safe spaces also help to strengthen peaceful social structures.
CPS promotes peace education to help break down negative stereotypes and prejudices within the divided Palestinian society. Joint activities within and outside refugee camps give Palestinian children and youth an opportunity to interact and exchange perspectives. In various trainings and workshops, they learn about non-violent strategies which they can use in their daily lives. These activities bridge the fragmented communities and enable them to connect.