Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy (MEND) promotes active nonviolence and encourages
alternatives to violence among youth and adults throughout Palestine. MEND employs innovative
methods, especially with the media, and is widely respected for working with authenticity, professionalism
and courage.
Recently there has been a growing interest in alternatives to violence even at the level of long-term
political activists. In fact these activists and community leaders have specifically expressed their
dissatisfaction with the cycle of violence and its results, and requested information and training for active
nonviolence.
MEND, having built its reputation on a holistic and creative approach to violence in schools, has taken this
approach further to reach the general population. Working through film, the internet, radio, bumper
stickers, posters, and news advertisements, MEND has changed the local attitude to nonviolence from one
of scepticism or dismissal (when MEND was first established in 1998) to one of interest and appreciation – so
that now even the Palestinian President talks about nonviolence. If there can be a visible nonviolence
movement, this will give hope to all those on both sides who fear the cycle of violence and cannot see
any partners for peace.
MEND is expanding rapidly with the burgeoning interest in nonviolence, and now consists of the
headquarters in East Jerusalem, and eight regional centres for active nonviolence and eleven community
centres/libraries. As an active member in the Arab Partnership for Conflict Prevention and Human Security,
MEND is also rapidly becoming a regional organization.