Peace Initiatives

Background

In March 1999, during a first meeting in Barcelona, Spain, an agreement of co-operation was signed by Adi Eldar, Chairman of the Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI) and the late Aown Shawa, President of the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities ( APLA ) and then Mayor of Gaza in the presence of Valery Giscard d'Estaing - President of CEMR.

The agreement was followed by visits of ULAI representatives in Gaza and participation of APLA representatives in the Folk Festival of Karmiel. 

The co-operation between APLA and ULAI was renewed in a "Joint Understanding of APLA , ULAI, and IULA-FMCU" in 2002 and a "Co-Operation Agreement" between the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE), APLA and ULAI in 2003. 

CO-OPERATION AGREEMENTS AND ONGOING PROJECTS

Following are examples of co-operation projects and peace initiatives. Please contact the Internation al Relations office at the Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULA) to receive our brochure on "PEACE INITIATIVES".

·  "NORTHERN HOLY CULTURAL HERITAGE WAY "

Decentralised cooperation program between the Region of Tuscany , Italy , Palestinian and Israeli municipalities

In September 1999 during a seminar “ Tuscany in the World and with the World”, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Palestinian municipalities Anabta, Nablus , Tulkarem, the Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI) and the Region of Tuscany. Following this event, the partners submitted a project proposal to the European Union under the name of “ Tuscany , Israel , Palestine - Decentralized Co-operation Program”.

In 2000, the Israeli municipalities of Akko , Haifa and Taibe joined the project and working groups in the area of cultural heritage, tourism, and small and med ium size enterprises (SME) were established. A "network agreement" was signed that defined the general principles as well as the operational instruments for dialogue and co-operation. 

Due to the difficult political situation, the project was put on hold till beginning of 2003.

With the political climate improving, the mayors and professionals from the participating municipalities met in March 2003 with the President of the Region of Tuscany, Claudio Martini, to confirm their commitment to the project. With financial support from the Europan Commission, the working group on cultural heritage convened for professional meetings in Taibe and Haifa . The partners agreed to establish a cultural heritage route called the “Northern Holy Land Heritage Way” that will connect the six municipalities and will show tourists the local cultural sites.

The project was officially established with a final declaration prepared and signed by all parties on July 29^th, 2003 in Firenze . 

·  "MEMORANDUM OF CO-OPERATION" between the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE), APLA and ULAI

In February 2003, the three associations agreed on a "Memorandum of Co-operation" that will foster the relations between them and promote professional exchanges between their municipalities. 
It was translated to all three languages and signed in an official ceremony in Thessaloniki on June 29^th, 2003 , by representatives from KEDKE, APLA and ULAI. 

In a follow-up meeting, the partners agreed on a basic framework for implementation of the memorandum.

As a first initiative, professionals in the area of welfare and environment met in Israel in August 2003 to discuss joint projects. 

May 2004 - Meeting in Brussels for recognition of the EU.

·  YOUTH CAMP IN GREECE FOR ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN YOUNGSTERS

In September and October 2002, the Central Union of Local Authorities in Greece (KEDKE) hosted young Israelis and Palestinians injured during the recent conflict in the area. 

The young people went for different study tours in the area of Athens and met with Greek youngsters.

The youth camps were repeated in 2003 with Palestinian and Israeli delegations travelling for a week long camp to Greece . 

·  EUROPEAN, PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI CITIES FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP
Project in the framework of the World Health Organisation (WHO)

In April 2003, representatives of 7 European cities met with representatives of APLA and ULAI to discuss the project that is aiming to address health and social needs of the Palestinian and Israeli population. Seven triangle partnerships were selected each including a Palestinian, Israeli and  European city: 

During July - September 2003, the European cities sent a delegation to their partners in the Palestinian Authorities and Israel for first assessments of possible co-operation projects. On March 2004 the delegations met again in Torino to continue with the progra med project.

·  "MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE FOR PEACE" - MAP

Following a series of dialogues between the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) and the Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI), both associations are committed to start working on concrete local actions in Palestinian and Israeli municipalities, supported by international partner municipalities, to promote mutual understanding, cooperation and improve the daily life of their citizens.

The conference, entitled ‘ Municipal Alliance for Peace in the Middle East ’, was organised by the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), in close cooperation with the Palestinian and Israeli associations.  The conference took place from the 1^st  until the 3^rd of June 2005 .  

More information  click  MAP

For further projects please see Peace Projects
. and      Cooperation Agreements