Mada - - The Arab Center for Applied Social Research

Al Carmel

GOALS
To promote the collective social and economic rights of the Palestinian citizens in Israel and their participation in the decision making process. To advance a new discourse between Jews and Arabs in Israel, and to enrich comparative academic research on issues of identity and citizenship.

BACKGROUND
Mada al-Carmel is the first Arab Center for applied social research established in Israel. The Center focuses on the social, educational and economic needs of Palestinians in Israel as well as on government policy, national identity and democratic citizenship. Broader issues of identity, citizenship and democracy in multi-ethnic states are also addressed. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, this is the first independent organization for research of Palestinian citizens in Israel. Mada runs several projects. NIF supports its Survey Research Unit (SRU).

STRATEGIES
Social research, seminars, roundtables and study days. Producing publications and training Palestinian social scientists in new critical approaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 5 surveys were conducted around the 2006 Israeli elections, the Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections and the Lebanon War.
• Conference to publish and discuss the results of the 2005 socioeconomic survey.
• Assembling a data bank for "elite" samples, to enable a study of issues that are of interest mainly to public figures.