Sadaka Reut: Arab - Jewish Youth Partnership

Sadaka Reut works for social and political change in Israel through the promotion of a bi-national, multicultural and egalitarian society based on social justice and solidarity. The organization believes that a struggle should be fought against all forms of discrimination and for complete civil equality within Israel, while a parallel fight against the occupation must be fought in order to bring about a just solution to the conflict. The activities focus on political education and youth activism, aiming to empower youths into becoming active agents for change in the reality of the conflict. The movement facilitates long term encounters between Palestinian and Jewish youth, challenges the existing narratives and discourses concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and encourages joint youth activism initiatives.

WebSite: www.reutsadaka.org

The Merkaz aims is to generate an alternative, bi-national framework that offers political education and youth activism to the youth of the area. Through its activities, the "Merkaz" seeks to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in Jaffa, Bat Yam and Lod and Ramle for meetings between Arab and Jewish youth, older activists, professionals and creators. This connection enables the youth groups to undergo a politico-educational process while getting professional enrichment in a field of their choice. The purpose of the activities is to grant the youths tools for their personal empowerment, while nurturing a young generation of activists for social change. Through these activities, the "Merkaz" builds de facto an educational and social community of creators, in which young people from different social, economical and national backgrounds come to meet.

The concept is implemented through establishing creative youth groups that base their work on concepts of political art. The artworks created by the young people express their voices and their socio-political truths in a reality that usually silences them. Their creations are being exhibited and exposed to their immediate surroundings: families, friends, schools and community. This outreach introduces the youths' messages into the public sphere and influences larger circles of individuals, while also creating ties between the different communities.