Center for Emerging Futures

 The Center for Emerging Futures

 

The Center for Emerging Futures (CEF) is a small foundation based in Boise, Idaho USA. It was formed to work in small ways on some of the toughest problems. CEF does work in the area of women and children’s issues in Idaho however its big focus is on the Middle East. CEF’s Middle East project is dedicated to the creation of dialogue, trust and partnerships between Palestinians and Israelis living in the area.

Since 2004, CEF has designed a framework, developed a methodology, and has actually changed the lives of thousands of Israelis and Palestinians.

CEF is involved with people, ordinary people - young and old, women and men, professors and farmers - and utilizes social techniques (primarily the renowned framework of Art of Hosting) to facilitate a two-level process:

• Calling for gatherings dedicated to the creation of first-time dialogue and trust, melting internalized walls of fear, guilt, and stereotyping

• Calling for the initiation of projects of grass-roots civil partnerships through which people stay connected and committed to each other, and pull even more people into the circle of common humanity.

 

The leadership team:

Ibrahim Issa - born to a family of 1948 refugees and grew up in a refugee camp, Ibrahim is the Palestinian co-manager of the Center for Emerging Futures. Ibrahim is also the director of Hope Flowers School, educating young Palestinians based on the values of peace, justice, democracy and human rights.­

The GVS hosting team includes five Palestinians and five Israelis.

The activities of the Center for Emerging Futures show how folks in Idaho can contribute to "Peace in the Eye of the Storm."