Many root causes of conflict and obstacles to reconciliation have become institutionalized in both societies. Therefore, programs aimed at conflict management and reconciliation must not only address these difficult issues and challenges, but must break down obstacles in a way that impacts institutions directly and fosters opportunities for the reconciliation process to begin and for cooperation to occur. Individuals engaged in civil society and institutions―NGOs, charities, community groups, women’s organizations, faith-based organizations, professional and business associations, trade unions, coalitions, and advocacy groups–often have a significant impact at the grassroots level, serving as leaders and key decision makers to their communities.
To empower these individuals to create positive institutional change, the School for Peace (SFP) and Tawasul implement a new program, Creating Change Agents: Palestinian & Israeli Professionals in Dialogue and Action. This program’s ultimate goal is to empower key civil society actors to create institutional change by providing them with tools to become change agents and advocates in their own spheres.