The Intercivil Society of London, the ICLS of Rome and their local implementing partner, the One Voice Movement (in Palestine and Israel) will, through the Jerusalem Network of Trust (JNT) project, facilitate the development and recognition of an irreversible community of interest between an increasing number of young and less young members of the two respective communities living in East and West Jerusalem and active in the respective civic and private sectors. This should put new and positive 'facts on the ground' which public diplomacy cannot ignore.

Why in Jerusalem?

Jerusalem needs good governance of its diversity. Throughout millennia, this city has become the symbol of both the potential unity and the actual division of our human family. What happens in the Middle East - and Jerusalem is also the symbol for the region - has a 'real time' effect worldwide and often has implications in cities and regions of ethnic and religious diversity, in Europe in particular. Jerusalem is one of the most significant places on the planet for peace building and also one of the most symbolic ones. Success there would be good news everywhere where violent conflict, ethnic tension or segregation currently prevails.

The JNT project is not setting naive goals or hoping for enabling circumstances that are beyond its control to create. Rather, regardless of the success or failure of public diplomacy, these new facts put on the ground will remain, and will remain so on the basis of shared interests of the civic and private sectors of the Israeli and Palestinian societies. The JNT project will be complementary to the diplomatic peace negotiations and a safety net for them at times of temporary failures.

The JNT is part of the Mediterranean Network of Trust and will be implemented in the framework of the Mediterranean Regional Strategy of the United Nations. Implementation is expected to begin in mid-2011.

For more details please contact geza [AT] intercivil.net