About
The privacy and status of the city of Jerusalem requires from any Palestinian institution a degree of creativity and perseverance in order to stand with all its burdens and tasks in the service of its Palestinian society. Hence, ACT institution for Studies and Alternative Means of Conflict Resolution is registered as a Palestinian non-governmental organization based in the City of Jerusalem (registered in the Associations accords in the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior under No. (HR- 1428- QR) According to the charities and Private Associations Law No. (1) of 2000, And based on the decision of the interior minister No. (11) for the year 2016 AD.
Since its establishment in 2016, the institution has taken two basic approaches related to dealing with conflicts. The first is a preventive approach that focuses on enhancing the values of citizenship of tolerance and volunteerism, as well as highlighting the Palestinian identity, strengthening the national and societal immunity, and providing knowledge that are all essential to resilience. The second approach is the therapeutic approach that works to provide alternative mechanisms and means for resolving the conflicts facing the Palestinian citizens in general and Jerusalemites in particular, and to spread and generalize the culture of asylum to alternative means of conflict resolution (arbitration and mediation) rather than heading to regular or tribal courts or the approach of requiring self-right. In this context, the institution has developed and works in order to develop a set of programs and activities that aim to educate Jerusalemites on the mechanisms of alternative dispute resolution, especially arbitration and mediation, and the preparation of relevant specialized studies and researches.
The general authority of the institution consists of (33) members that include among others, judges, university professors, managers of public and private institutions, merchants, women and businessmen, and youth and women activists. The General Assembly holds bi-annual meetings where financial and administrative reports are discussed and approved. The General Assembly elects a board of directors of 11 members including jurists, academics, economists, and women and youth activists. The Board of Directors meets at least 6 times annually, reviews and decides upon the administrative and financial policies of the institution, the effects of its interventions on society, and approves its activities and evaluates its work performance.