Movements’ commitments

The East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine are committed to a community vision based on the universal values of justice, love, peace, tolerance, non-discrimination, and human dignity; realizing Christian principles, which embody openness to all religions in a spirit of love and service, to bring about the transformation of society.

About the Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI)

It is an initiative between the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine lunched in the year 2000 based on a Palestinian need resulted from the second Intifada.

JAI vision

Within this current political situation we see the need to concentrate local, regional, and international efforts in order to recover the rights of our people and to build an independent viable democratic state where transparency, equity, and social justice may prevail.

JAI goal

The Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI) work aims to bring about change at the local level through involving Palestinian organizations and individuals to work to gain their basic rights and to engage in processes to effect social change.

At the international level, its work aims to channel changes in the World YWCA/YMCA, CROs and civil society organizations to create a global movement that puts pressure on Israel to implement international law and respond to the UN resolutions concerning the occupation of Palestine by exposing injustice and guiding actions.

Objectives (2007 - 2009)

• Mobilize* two new YWCA/YMCA movements, ICROs and civil society organizations to advocate against the restrictions that hinder civil society development, humanitarian work, and local YWCA/YMCA operations in Palestine. In addition, increase and improve** the involvement of YWCA/YMCAs and other organizations already involved.
  
  
• Engage 350 YWCA/YMCA, Church members, and other constituents in resistance by sponsoring 8,000 olive trees and participating in other OTC activities as a way to Keep Hope Alive.
  
  
• Participate in developing a platform and forum for civil society organizations, CROs and youth groups to engage in dialogue and activities concerning peace, democracy and advocacy issues that unify their voice concerning the rights of Palestinians.

* Initial mobilization is to get the organization to publicly state their commitment to the goal of the JAI.
** Improved involvement will be measured by the success of action plans we have developed with our partners for activities that support the goal of the JAI globally.

Targets

• The YMCA/YWCA local, regional, international movements and their constituencies
• Churches and Church-related organizations worldwide.
• Social and solidarity movements and human rights organizations.
• The Palestinian community at large.

JAI Strategy:

• Focusing on Youth; Given that the vision of the EJ-YMCA and YWCA Palestine is based on the comprehensive development of young people, one of the primary target groups of the JAI (locally and internationally) is youth.
  
  
• Ending the Occupation; Since the Israeli occupation is the root cause of the plight and suffering of the Palestinian people, the efforts of the JAI are focused on ending the occupation.
  
  
• Creating a Thought Forum; In order to communicate more effectively (locally and internationally), to encourage free and open dialogue, and to enhance policy- and decision-making processes, the JAI facilitates the creation of structures to support this concept. We expect that the YWCA and YMCA movements, as well as our partners and friends, will participate in this undertaking.
  
  
• Utilizing Cultural Potential; Creative ways based on the richness of Palestinian culture and tradition are used as means for raising public awareness regarding the rights of Palestinians.
  
  
• Networking; Much effort is placed on developing and sustaining links with local and international YMCA and YWCA movements, churches, church-related and ecumenical organizations, as well as partners and friends as a practical means to aid in achieving the objectives of the JAI.
  
  
• Utilizing Information Technology; Effective and efficient use of information technology serves to optimize communication.
  
  
• Accessing Decision Makers; Special attention is given to contacting and communication with key policy and decision makers at all levels, directly or through our YMCA/YWCA partners.
  
  
• Training for Staff; Ongoing, regular staff training and skill upgrade ensures the continued development of staff involved at all levels of the JAI.
  
  
• Implementing Advocacy Programs; Programs focusing on advocacy are implemented within local organizations, constituencies, and the Palestinian community at large.
  
  
• Implementing Practical Programs; Tangible programs to improve the quality of daily life for Palestinians are implemented in order to emphasize and affirm the basic rights to which all people are entitled.