At NISPED, we work toward societal transition from conflict and violence to conflict resolution and peace; from poverty and exploitation to sustainable human development, and from dictatorship to democracy. We believe that joint work with government institutions, international agencies and civil society organizations – voluntary, non-governmental, people-centered, community-based groups - can have a major impact in the successful achievement of these transitions.

Our work toward peace and development focuses on three types of activity:  

• Training and education
• Projects
• Consultancy

While the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has known its ups and downs, NISPED continues to seek to make a contribution to its progress. Political/governmental agreements, however carefully crafted or effectively underwritten by major powers or international agencies, cannot by themselves serve to create or guarantee peace. A lasting peace requires people-to people peace processes in which the active involvement of civil society promotes mutual understanding and furthers joint endeavors.

NISPED undertakes courses, training programs and projects jointly designed and implemented with Palestinian NGOs for the benefit of their constituents. All of these are implemented by joint Palestinian – Israeli staff. More than 1,000 Palestinians have participated in these programs, that have been held both in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority.

Our courses and projects focus on:

• the role of civil society in conflict resolution
• the contribution of voluntary organizations to local government
• young leadership in NGOs
• the role of small and medium enterprises in economies in transition
• human resource development
• women's leadership and economic empowerment

In spite of the continuation of the Palestinian – Israeli conflict, NISPED has uninterruptedly continued its activities and programs with Palestinian civil society groups.