Challenge An Organization for Conflict Transformation

Challenge is an Israeli NGO, formed in 2010 to promote Conflict Transformation within both the Israeli and Palestinian arenas. Conflict Transformation is an innovative approach that helps to identify the different layers in the dynamic of a conflict and provides practical tools to reduce the suffering through creativity, empathy, and non-violence. Challenge envisions a solid shared society that creates opportunities throughout the whole country, the home of Israelis and Palestinians. We embrace all of its cultural and identity diversity and promote a paradigm shift in relationships and structures to produce an equal, stable and prosperous shared future. Based on Conflict Transformation theory, we understand that conflict is not the problem, as it can be a source of growth and development. To reach such an outcome we need to reduce all types of violence – not only the physical kind. Challenge leads constructive change and conflict transformation at multiple levels – by building bridges among groups and communities, investing in co-operative initiatives, positive communication, and relationship skills, developing mutual empowerment and systemic change. We transform reality by harnessing the energies of conflict into a source of collective action, development, and growth. Each project we conduct aims to support activists and practitioners committed to leading a transformation in some specific aspect of our reality. We work simultaneously to address the three components that maintain the violent dynamic between Israelis and Palestinians and within each nation. ⮚ To reduce the levels of mutual mistrust we address attitudes and assumptions through encounter processes between participants from different backgrounds and create tangible, need-related, added-value results. ⮚ To increase the capabilities of individuals to better understand and engage in the transformation of conflicts, we provide skill-training workshops enhancing the availability of a wide variety of methods and tools. ⮚ To transform the existing context, which supports the escalation of conflicts, we promote analytical and practical efforts to identify the obstacles and design alternatives. We firmly believe in the power of partnerships. If you are interested in learning more about our vision-led, theory-driven, and action-oriented participatory approach, we would love to hear from you and explore ways of working together.