<
em>9th International Political Field S
eminar
Bridges Instead of Walls!
Organized by th e Alternative Information Center
Introduction
In an increasingly globalized world, it is o ften the case that quantity of information is privileged over quality. We o ften deal with cultures without knowing their histories or the things that we have in common with them. We generalize about "East" and " ;West" forgetting that we have several traditions, experiences, and va lues to share. Talking about a cultural conflict, or a "clash of civil izations", is an overly simplistic way of characterizing differences, leaving historical facts, experiences, and common desires for interaction f ar from consideration. Mutual understanding is the basis on which relationships have to be built, because all "sides" sha re values such as respect, tolerance and peace. Stereotypes should therefor e not prevent people from approaching the "other" world, nor limi t a constructive dialogue about values, ideals and our common future on thi s planet.
The idea to organize these international field seminars under the slogan “Building Bridges Instead of Walls” came from these firm beliefs. The seminar program proved its political, social, and p ractical importance through the action of the participants, who collectivel y described it as a very rich experience.
We at the Alternative In formation Center will make the necessary efforts to continue developing the seminar experience. In this context the ideas, suggestions and encourageme nt of the participants and their commitment play an essential role. Let us unite our social, cultural, humanitarian, and political efforts as peoples from many nations in order to end the walls of occupation, aggression, disc rimination and racism. Let us build the bridge of justice, peace, equality, human justice and respect.
HOSTING ORGANIZATION: The AIC
The Alternative Information Center (AIC) is an internationa lly oriented, progressive, joint Palestinian-Israeli activist organization. It is engaged in dissemination of information, political advocacy, grassro ots activism and critical analysis of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. The AIC strives to promote full individual and collective social, economic , political and gender equality. Freedom and democracy, as well as rejectio n of the philosophy and practice of separation, are aims that the AIC pursu es.
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GOALS
The goal of this field seminar is to provide participants with elements crucial to deeply u nderstanding the context and society of Palestine and Is rael, thus enabling them to better advocate on behalf of a just peace in th e region.
Directly experien cing the effects of the conflict, as well as the living and political condi tions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, will provide a unique, on th e ground experience, as opposed to an understanding based on media, propaga nda or rumors. This is a necessary step in the process of understanding the factors that have led to the present situation. Compreh ensive knowledge is the necessary starting point for building bridges.
The Palestinian voice is often ignored or accused of extremism. As a joint Palestinian-Israeli organisation founded in 1984,< span> the AIC aims to create spaces in which the Palestinian p eople themselves explain their struggle and give direct witness to their life under occupation.
During the seminar we will also conduct interactive meetings and workshops with Israeli experts and a ssociations that share the same values of the AIC and are deeply engaged in promoting a just peace and social justice for both Palestinians and Israel is.
The networking of individuals, associations, political partie s, information and media workers is fundamental in building a pressure group able to encourage governments and economi c groups to act responsibly, without ignoring the consequences of their act ions or non-actions.
TOOLS
The tools that will be used to achieve the aims descri bed above include:
- Tours throughout the West Bank, Jerusalem and Jaffa to v iew first-hand the living conditions of Palestinians under occupation
- ; Meetings with progressive Israeli social and political groups
- &nbs
p; Lec
tures by Palestinian and Israeli experts about topics including economics,
human rights, politics, social issues, international law, history and gende
r
- &nbs p; Meetings with politicians, social institutions and grassroots asso ciations
- &nb sp; Cultural events (concerts, meeting with Palestinian familie s, etc)
- &nbs p; Open discussions
- Reflection moments
- &nbs p; Participa tion in nonviolent Palestinian-led demonstrations
PROGRAM
The first step consists in presenting the general framework of Palest ine and Israel with historical and political elements.
We will present the AIC vision, policies and activities in the field, and also a m ore comprehensive global perspective related to the attitude of western and Arab countries toward the conflict.
· &nb sp; The first on the ground experience will be a visit to the Apartheid Wal l and refugee camps in the Bethlehem area.
· &nb sp; Th e group will attend a demonstration in support of nonviolent resistance.
·During a visit to Hebron, where human rights vi
olations occur on a daily basis, participants will meet an association for
the monitoring of settlements in Hebron
· & nbsp; During our weekly event at the AICafé, participants wil l meet movements for the Nonviolent Resistance.
· ; A visit to Jerusalem is scheduled to see the reality of the Israeli settl ements, both in and surrounding the Old City.
· A tour of Jaffa will highlight the ongoing dispossession of the Palestinia n population there, and will include meetings with Palestinian and Israeli social activists.
· &nb sp; In Ramal lah we will explore the topic of detention and political prisoners with an association of specialized lawyers and activists, and have a meeting with m embers of the Palestinian Legislative Council and Palestinian politicians.
·< span> Together we will explore the economic dimensi ons of the Israeli occupation, in addition to women and gender issues withi n both Palestinian and Israeli societies.
· &nbs p; A l ecture about Israeli society will offer elements for understanding critical dynamics; the participants, moreover, will meet Israeli women and men who refuse to serve in the Israeli military.
The draft program is attached. Some changes are possible, although th e aforementioned structure and topics will be maintained.
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You can find more info, pictures of the previous edi tions and past participant experiences at:
Registration deadline: 15th July 2 011
Minimum participants for the seminar to take place: 10
For more information please c ontact:
Alternative Information Center<
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Bethlehem +972 2 277 5444
Or send an email to Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
The cost is EUR 350 (1750 NIS) - EURO 100 deposit and E URO 250 upon arrival
It includes all meals, accomodation, transportation, workshops, visits and lectures. This cost does not include transportation to the region or health insurance for the period of the fie ld seminar.
The AIC cannot accept any responsibili ty for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or prop erty during the field seminar.
All lectures will be in E nglish.
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Cari amici, compagni, studenti e docenti,
Vorremmo portarvi a conoscenza e invitarvi a partecipa
re alla nona edizione del seminario formativo internazionale organizzato da
l centro israelo-palestinese Alternative Information Center(www.alternativenews.org) in Palestina.
L´Alternative Information Center
é un’organizzazione non governativa israelo-palestinese con se
de a Beit Sahour (Betlemme/Cisgiordania) e a Gerusalemme, che attraverso la
sua attività giornalistica, di ricerca accademica e di coordinazion
e politica lotta per la fine dell`occupazione israeliana e promuove l&rsquo
;uguaglianza dei sessi, l'uguaglianza legale, sociale ed economica, cos
i come i valori di libertà, democrazia e il rifiuto della politica d
i segregazione.
Dal
26 al 31 luglio si terrà il nono seminario internazionale di formazi
one in Palestina “Ponti invece di muri” nato dalla convizione c
he una presa di coscienza a livello della societá civile internazion
ale sia necessaria a porre fine a questo conflitto coloniale. In coordinazi
one con numerosi altri gruppi della società civile palestinese ed is
raeliana, il seminario accompagnerà i partecipanti attraverso un int
enso percorso di incontri, dibattiti e visite guidate al fine di approfondi
re la conoscenza dell`attuale situazione palestinese ed i suoi risvolti eco
nomici, politici e sociali. Alla base dell’impegno politico l'AIC
pone un’analisi critica della società palestinese ed israelia
na e una visione del conflitto nella sua dimensione globale.
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I seminari saranno tenuti in inglese.
Le iscrizioni chiudono
il 15 luglio – un minimo di 10 partecipanti è necessario perc
hé il seminario possa aver luogo.
Programma provvisorio
e formulario d’iscrizione sono scaricabili dal sito:
Per qualsiasi informazione non esitate a con
tattarci : www.alternativenews.org
oppure: Ufficio di Beit Sahour: 00972&
nbsp;2 2775444 &
nbsp; Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È nec
essario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
&n bsp;
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