Jesoor Statutes

Jesoor Statutes

Preface

Jesoor is “Bridges” in Arabic, is a Palestinian nongovernmental and
non-profit organization promoting the links between health and
human rights through transcultural research, advocacy, community
assistance and training. We seek to build bridges to health and
peace in our community by engaging the social, economic, political
and environmental contexts in all aspects of our work, and to
contribute creatively to the global right to health movement.

The board of Directors of the Jesoor;

Realize that the human right is a basic and the right to health
is fundamental rights of every person;

Understand that prevention of torture and human rights
abuse is an ethical, professionals and moral responsibility of
mental health and health professionals;

Further, believing that health professionals have a strong
role in building bridges for peace, democracy and human
rights through community empowerments and professionals
developments;

Furthermore, the relationship between health and human
rights not only embraces civil and political rights but the right
to affordable, accessible and culturally acceptable health
care services.

Understanding that the control of torture and human rights
abuse depends on the prevention of unacceptable practices
among families, and individuals through promoting an
acceptable child rearing practices, family and community
awareness, breaking the cycle of violence in addition other
culturally sensitive means;

The board’s belief that equipping health professionals with
the needed knowledge and skills that would enable them to
be therapeutic interventionists and also advocates and
enablers of people to take their own decisions;

The board is confident that the application of interventions
must be done independently from governmental control and
interventions;

The belief that human rights and democracy are maintained,
from within, the community itself by effective and meaningful
social, economic and cultural changes, which is not imported
by and from other communities.

The board members and working professionals are committed
to the principles of building bridges for peace, democracy and
transcultural right to health:

Philosophy is that health in its wider perspective includes an
inseparable bio-psychosocial link that must be emphasized in
the relationship between health and human rights;

The right to affordable, accessible and culturally acceptable
health services is persistently threatened by economic,
social, political, human mad sufferings and torture in addition
to other health inequalities that have to be challenged;

Cultural acceptance and sensitivity is inseparable
requirement for effective interventions and developments;

Confidentiality and accountability; it is the rights of
individuals and clients to be treated in privacy and
confidentiality assurance. It is the Organisation and the
board responsibility to promote that principle and prevent its
violations.

Dignity; which is a basic foundation of human rights, is
central in all aspects of health, including health care, family
interventions and other health care services

Participation; it is the rights of the consumers and their
families or care givers to participate in their health related
matters. The right to participate in decisions affecting their
health and integrity.

Respect; each person have the right to be treated
respectfully, each person have the right to be treated in
respected without any discrimination related to social class,
social positions or level of authority.

Equality and non-discrimination is a principle that is
acknowledged against discrimination of race, sex, religion,
ethnic background etc.

Article 1: Name and philosophy of the
organisation

1.1)

The name of the organisation is Jesoor (bridges)

(previous name was Al-Bouraq Association).

1.2:

)

Jesoor is a non-governmental and non-profit

organisation governed by a professional and an

independent board of Directors elected by the general

assembly.

1.3:

)

Jesoor is registered by the Palestinian Ministry of

Interior.

1.4

)

The official and working language of Jesoor is Arabic

and English as the second language

Article 2: Objectives of Jesoor

2.1

)

Raise family awareness about the need to be treated

with respect and dignity.

2.2

)

Contribute to the creation of a generation of children

raised in a culture of respect for democracy, by fostering

healthy child-parent relationships and feelings of security

and self-esteem.

2.3

)

Provide comprehensive family counselling services

2.4

)

Analyze the contextual application of health

measurement tools used globally to measure the quality of

life, symptoms of PTSD, and trauma and violence, and other

anxiety disorders.

2.5

)

Provide professional counselling training skills for health

and allied professions.

2.6

)

Prevent torture and human rights abuse through

different means

Article 3: Vision and Mission

3.1

)

the vision

is to develop a trans-cultural model of the

“right to health” approach by examining health in the context

of Palestinian life – moving beyond the individualistic

approach to include extended family, social, cultural, political,

religious and economic conditions. Such a model will be

developed through family and community empowerment

initiatives in alliance with existing community resources and

supported by evidence-based research.

3.2)

The Mission

is that Jesoor will be proactive and

innovative in efforts to alleviate inequalities in health, making

family counseling and empowerment more accessible and

culturally acceptable while providing each individual with

dignified service. We will gain distinction for our critical

analysis of the contextual linkage between health and human

rights, and contribute creatively to the global right to health

approach movement. Like our colleagues in this movement,

our focus is not only on the mind, body and spirit, but also on

the context were individuals live.

Article 4: Financial support

4.1) Jesoor is financially supported by donations, and other

financial contributions from donor agencies and individuals,

without any e-marked funding and based on the community

needs. Accepting funds is totally independent and is not

compromised with the code of ethics and principles of the

organisation.

Article 5: Set of contacts

5.1

)

Jesoor makes contact and cooperation with all

organisation who indicate their respect to human rights and

committed to prevention of human rights and torture

5.2

)

Networking and contacts is built with organisations

without discrimination who believe in building bridges of

peace, democracy and human rights

5.3

)

Jesoor cooperates and works with organisation in the

field of health, human rights, community development,

professional capacity building and with organisations

interested in cultural changes and social mobilization.

Article 6: Governance and organisational
structure

Jessor is governed by Board of Directors two main bodies

)

the board of Directors

)

the General assembly of the organisation and an

international and local advisory board will be formed.

A) the Board of directors

)

the board of Directors composed from 7 elected

professionals from the General Assembly for 3 years

)

the election Board is responsible for the general

policy of the organisation

)

the Board meets once every three months for follow

up and review

)

the board chose the general director of the

organisation and responsible for his/her evaluation

)

the board recommend and approve the new policies

of the organisation

B) General Assembly

)

the General assembly composed from a group of

professionals believe on the philosophy of the organisation

and advocates it mandate

.2)

the general assembly of Jesoor is held once every

three years and convened by the Board of Directors

)

the General assembly elects the Board of Directors

.4) the general assembly decision making practices is

through independent votes

.5 the General assembly as well as the board of Directors

members are obliged to advocate and follow the organisation

mandate and philosophy

)

demonstrate an active knowledge and interest of the

organisational objectives

Article 7: The General Director

7.1

)

is accountable to the Board of Directors

7.2

)

the General Director has the following functions:

7.2.1)

implement the policy and procedures of the

organisation which is approved by the Board of Directors

7.2.2

)

help in fundraising and provide financial and

narrative reports to needed funding agencies

7.2.3

)

monitor and follow up the activities of the

organisation

7.2.4

)

provide guidance, and motivate staff and

professionals of the organisation

7.2.5

)

organise meetings and giving feedback to both the

Board of Directors and the General Assembly

7.2.6)

can hire staff and professionals needed if funds

allows. Firing people is a delegated responsibility to the

General Director by the Board of Directors

7.2.7

)

enhance networking with organisations share

similar philosophy, mandate and activities

7.2.8

)

has the right to contact funding agencies and

individuals

7.2.9

)

represent the organisation in meetings and

conferences local, regional and international and can

delegate that responsibility to other staff members.

Revised and updated by the board on 28.09.2005