The Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development (NISPED)
focuses its concern on societies undergoing fundamental processes of
transformation: from conflict to conflict resolution; from the
rigidities of centralized economies and political dictatorships to
democracy and free market economies; from poverty and dependence to
selfhood and socio-economic advancement. Despite their differences,
these transitions share certain common elements, such as the
centrality of the civil society for the transformation process and
the recognition that successful change must take place within the
context of sustainable human development.
NISPED serves as a center for education, training and project
development in regard to these transformations, conducting courses,
seminars, and workshops for leaders, activists and trainers drawn
from relevant civil society and government bodies, initiating,
planning, guiding and evaluating concrete projects within its fields
of interest and acting as a consultant to public and private
institutions in Israel and abroad. It also acts as a facilitator in
networking between groups with similar interests and agendas.
NISPED conducts activities in three major areas:
A. Jewish-Arab Coexistence - AJEEC - the Arab-Jewish Center for
Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation established by NISPED, has a
three-fold goal: striving for equality in all aspects of life;
empowerment of the Palestinian-Israeli community; cooperation between
the Jewish and Arab populations. AJEEC is developing programs in the
fields of education, leadership and employment.
B. Small and Medium Enterprises - A division of NISPED, the
International Center for the Promotion of Small and Medium
Enterprises (INCEP-SME) provides training, teaching, project
promotion and consultancy services in this field.
C. Cooperative Studies - A new division, the International Center
for Cooperatives (I-CeCoS), will conduct education and training
programs focussing on the promotion and development of cooperatives,
people-centered enterprises and similar endeavors.
Courses are conducted in partnership with MASHAV and other
organizations, including the ILO, UNIDO, UNDP and WASME. Particular
focus is given to courses for the Arab world, including, in 2000,
seven courses for Palestinians, two for Palestinians and Israelis,
conducted in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority, and one course
for Jordanians.
NISPED is a registered, non-profit association and an independent
affiliate of the Negev College, one of Israel's major regional higher
education institutions.
The Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development (NISPED)
Chairman: Yehuda Paz
Director: Vivian Silver
4 Henrietta Szold St.
Beersheba 84894
Website: http://www.nisped.org.il
E-mail: nisped@nisped.org.il
Tel: 972-8-6405432
Fax: 972-8-6405451
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