Tawasul is a non-profit, non governmental organisation which was founded in 2002 by a group of grass-root Palestinian peace and development activists. The aim of Tawasul is to create and develop non-violent communication between all levels of society, based on our conception of society and through a process starting at the individual level and then reaching all layers of the complex network in which every individual lives and thrives.

Our conception of society
Is a democratic and pluralistic society in which everybody is attempting to meet their own needs. It is a society which builds on people’s strengths, deals with confusions, confronts hatred, promotes tolerance and fosters cooperation and communication. In this vision, people are encouraged to use non-violent communication to create better understanding, acknowledge people’s strengths and limitations and to participate in the different disciplines of economics, education, justice and health.

Our mission
Is to translate our vision into real changes and opportunities in order to make a difference through fostering non-violent communication, not as merely a passing interest but as a way of life. We aim to inspire a new generation of peacemakers who will transform themselves and their local communities by adopting a positive outlook and interpreting the concept of “peace” so that the prosperity and well-being of individuals and families are promoted at both the social and political level. Tawasul focuses mainly on youth and women.

Goals and objectives
Tawasul’s main goal is to adopt, enhance and support the concept and practice of non-violent, peaceful communication between people within and across societies.

Our long-term goals towards which we will be dedicating our efforts:

• Achieving equitable peace as the main value that people adopt for solving their personal conflicts as well as conflicts with their families, neighbours and society.
• Building a democratic society which has the ability to coexist with its neighbours; a society in which people can identify their own needs and work together to develop peaceful ways of meeting those needs.
• Building a society in which people listen, respect and communicate peacefully with each other, and promote tolerance for different views and values.
• Developing new productive relations between people and authority, public and government, as well as enhancing positive and constructive attitudes towards each other in order to serve the interest of people for a better life.

Tawasul strives to achieve these goals using the following methods:

• Conducting studies and research in different fields such as democracy, legislation, human rights, youth empowerment, children, women, and people’s attitudes towards authority and law.
• Creating a network of grass-root organisations in order to enhance and support all efforts to reach our common goals.
• Building trust and strengthening relationships among people so that they become less defensive and more open to explore new ideas, feelings and solutions. As trust is built, a constructive relationship can develop. The latter is a vital step in the direction of improved community relationships that can foster community-based solutions and actions. This new way of communication, based on listening to one another, is very significant since it allows people to realise that their opinions, ideas and actions matter.
• Enhancing the human concepts of neighbourly relations between individuals, societies and communities, and of tolerance so that they become acceptable values and norms of conduct in society.
• Adopting education and training programmes for the youth sector by using effective leadership and empowerment techniques. We will also focus on curriculum development, communication, cultural, and multi-media production. The programme should create an arena for positive exchanges which would lead to problem-solving and peaceful development.

Tawasul will be working and dedicating its efforts to achieve these objectives through continuous planning and implementation of projects in various fields in collaboration with other Palestinian NGOs which share common goals.

Our supporters
Tawasul board members include a broad spectrum of dignitaries across all political lines, religious authorities, business leaders and civil society professionals. Funding comes from concerned citizens as well as from respected foundations and governments, including the Canadian Fund and the US Institute for Peace.