Civic Advocasy Advocacy groups are at the forefront of the Palestinian national struggle. Under the Israeli occupation, these grassroots initiatives have drawn international attention to violations of Palestinian rights. In the era of state-building, advocacy and human rights groups remain dedicated to protecting the civil liberties and human rights of Palestinians. Numerous nongovernmental and grassroots workers are struggling to ensure respect for the rule of law and a transition to democracy in Palestine. The Jerusalem Fund supports the work of these advocacy and human rights groups in Palestine that form the building blocks of a future democratic state. Featured Project Palestine Center for Peace and Democracy The Palestine Center for Peace and Democracy (PCPD), supported by The Jerusalem Fund, promotes pluralism, tolerance, and democracy through seminars and advocacy programs throughout Palestine. The twin goals of the Center are to encourage citizen participation and to strengthen civil society organizations. Specific objectives of the Center include developing management skills in young people and providing nonviolence training. The Center's income is derived largely from international organizations like The Jerusalem Fund, as well as from membership fees. In 1999, The Jerusalem Fund provided PCPD with assistance for a democracy seminar for young people in the village of al-Jeeb, north of Jerusalem. The four-day training course offered participants an introduction to peace, democracy, and leadership issues. The training session was a great success and led to the establishment of the village's first cultural and sports club. Other work supported by PCPD includes civil society workshops and democracy and peace education throughout the West Bank and Gaza. In 1999, the Center conducted workshops at 2,983 sites.
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