Youth Project on Human Rights
Peace and Reconciliation in Palestine and Israel

The Christian Council in Sweden and its expert group on Human Rights, in cooperation with the Diocese of Lund - Church of Sweden, and together with the International Center of Bethlehem, initiated the Youth Project on Human Rights with the purpose of building friendships between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Youth in Palestine and Israel, Norway and Sweden while learning about the situation in the Middle East and acting for human rights, peace and reconciliation in Israel/Palestine.

Started in 1998, the project continued in Bethlehem in April 1999 when a group of young adults visited Palestine and the Occupied Territories on an educational tour organized by the International Center of Bethlehem, which is the coordinator of the YAP Palestine program. The program continued later in the year as representatives from the several participating Palestinian institutions (The International Center of Bethlehem, Al-Liqa' Center, Rapprochement Center of All People, Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, and Wi'am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center) visited Sweden.   

Meanwhile, a series of workshops were held in Palestine, to help the Palestinian youth learn more about their rights.  These workshops covered issues such as the International Declaration of Human Rights, International Law, and an Introduction to Democracy and Human Rights.