The Alternative Information Center (AIC)
invites you to the
SPRING EDITION
12th International Seminar &ldqu o;Bridges instead of Walls”
Link in italia no: http://www.alternativenew s.org/italiano/index.php/aic-eventi/seminario-internazionale
26th April – 1st Mai 2012
After the success of t he 11th International camp during past Christmas, we are glad to invite you to the Spring edition of the International Political Field Seminar "B ridges instead of Walls" – taking place from the 26th of April t o the 1st Mai 2012 in Palestine!
The seminar is organized by The Alte
rnative Information Center (AIC), an internationally oriented, progressive,
joint Palestinian-Israeli activist organization. The has been founded in 1
984 by Palestinian and Israeli activists believing in the joint struggle fo
r the end the Occupation and the respect of the Palestinian Nation and Huma
n rights. The AIC is engaged in dissemination of information, political adv
ocacy, grassroots activism and critical analysis of the Palestinian and Isr
aeli societies as well as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It strives to p
romote full individual and collective social, economic, political and gende
r equality, freedom and democracy and a rejection of the philosophy of sepa
ration.
- - -
The AIC is based in Beit Sahour/Bethlehem. The gro
up will move every day departing from Beit Sahour and come back every night
to the guesthouse right next the AIC Center. The seminar includes lectures
, interactive meetings with several civil society actors, political figures
and partner organizations as well as tours in many different locations of
the West Bank and Israel. During our 6 full-program days the participants w
ill get an intensive and critical overview of the political and economical
aspects of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as well as of the Palestinian a
nd Israeli societies. We try to cover all the crucial issues to understand
the roots of the conflict and the current developments: the history of the
conflict and the peace process, the political strategy of the occupation an
d its economic effects, the structure of the Israeli society and the big ch
allenges of Palestinian society such as the economic development and the re
sistance under occupation, as well as issues such as the political repressi
on, the human rights and the role of the international community.
- -
-
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 13th April 2012
FEES: 40
0 € (2000 NIS) including the whole program, local transport, full boar
d & lodging in double or 3 beds rooms in a local Guesthouse
If yo
u have any question, don’t hesitate to contact us, and please forward
this announcement to potential interested friends, colleagues or family me
mbers
More info on ww
w.alternativenews.org
FB: Alternative Information Center
or:
Beit Sahour's Office: 00972 2 2775444
Questo
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pt per vederlo.
----------------------------- --------------------
SPRING EDITION:
International Political Fi
eld Seminar
Bridges Instead of Walls!
Organized by the Alternat ive Information Center
Introduction
In an increasingly globalize
d world, it is often the case that quantity of information is privileged ov
er quality. We often 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, exp
eriences, and values to share. Talking about a cultural conflict, or a &quo
t;clash of civilizations", is an overly simplistic way of characterizi
ng differences, leaving historical facts, experiences, and common desires f
or interaction far from consideration. Mutual understanding is the ba
sis on which relationships have to be built, because all "sides"
share values such as respect, tolerance and peace. Stereotypes should there
fore not prevent people from approaching the "other" world, nor l
imit a constructive dialogue about values, ideals and our common future on
this planet.
The idea to organize these international field seminars u
nder the slogan “Building Bridges Instead of Walls” came from t
hese firm beliefs. The seminar program proved its political, social, and pr
actical importance through the action of the participants, who collectively
described it as a very rich experience.
We at the Alternative Informa
tion Center will make the necessary efforts to continue developing the semi
nar experience. In this context the ideas, suggestions and encouragement 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, discrimin
ation and racism. Let us build the bridge of justice, peace, equality, huma
n justice and respect.
HOSTING ORGANIZATION: The AIC
The Alternative Information Center (AIC) is an internationally oriented, progre ssive, joint Palestinian-Israeli activist organization. The AIC has been fo unded 1984 by Palestinian and Israeli activists believing in the joint stru ggle for the End of the Israeli Occupation and the respect of the fundament al human rights and the National rights of the Palestinians. The AIC is eng aged in dissemination of information, political advocacy, grassroots activi sm and critical analysis of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. The AIC s trives to promote full individual and collective social, economic, politica l and gender equality. Freedom and democracy, as well as rejection of the p hilosophy and practice of separation, are aims that the AIC pursues.
GOALS
The goal of this field seminar is to provide parti
cipants with elements crucial to deeply understanding the context and
society of Palestine and Israel, thus enabling them to better advocate on
behalf of a just peace in the region.
Directly experienci
ng the effects of the conflict, as well as the living and political conditi
ons in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, will provide a unique, on the
ground experience, as opposed to an understanding based on media, propagand
a or rumors. This is a necessary step in the process of understanding the f
actors that have led to the present situation. Comprehensive knowledg
e is the necessary starting point for building bridges.
The Palestini
an voice is often ignored or accused of extremism. As a joint Palesti
nian-Israeli organisation founded in 1984, the AIC aims to create spa
ces in which the Palestinian people themselves explain their struggle
and give direct witness to their life under occupation.
During the se
minar we will also conduct interactive meetings and workshops with Israeli
experts and associations that share the same values of the AIC and are deep
ly engaged in promoting a just peace and social justice for both Palestinia
ns and Israelis.
The networking of individuals, associations, politic
al parties, information and media workers is fundamental in building a pres
sure group able to encourage governments and economic groups to act respons
ibly, without ignoring the consequences of their actions or non-actions.
TOOLS
The tools that will be used to achieve the aims des cribed above include:
- Tours throughout the West Bank, Jerusalem and
Jaffa to view first-hand the living conditions of Palestinians under occup
ation
- Meetings with progressive Israeli social and political groups
- Lectures by Palestinian and Israeli experts about topics including
economics, human rights, politics, social issues, international law, histor
y and gender
- Meetings with politicians, social institutions and gras
sroots associations
- Cultural events (concerts, meeting with Palestin
ian families, etc)
- Open discussions
- Reflection moments
PROGRAM
The main guidelines adopted throughout the 6 day
field seminar follow a logical path: providing elements for deeper, reflect
ive understandings, having direct experiences, developing a critical approa
ch and giving suggestions for effective advocacy.
The first step consi
sts in presenting the general framework of Palestine and Israel with histor
ical and political elements.
We will present the AIC vision, policies
and activities in the field, and also a more comprehensive global perspect
ive related to the attitude of western and Arab countries toward the confli
ct.
• The first on the ground experience will be a v
isit to the Apartheid Wall and refugee camps in the Bethlehem area.
&
bull; During a visit to Hebron, where human rights violations occur on
a daily basis, participants will meet an association for the monitoring of
settlements in Hebron
• During our weekly event at the AIC
afé, participants will meet different representatives of the Palesti
nian and Israeli civil society
• A visit to Jerusalem is sch
eduled to see the reality of the Israeli settlements, both in and surroundi
ng the Old City
• A tour of Ramlah and/or Lod and then Jaffa
(in Israel) will highlight the ongoing dispossession of the Palestinian po
pulation there, and will include meetings with Palestinian and Israeli soci
al activists
• In Ramallah we will explore the topic of det
ention and political prisoners with an association of specialized lawyers a
nd activists, and will have meetings with Palestinian politicians
&bul
l; Together we will explore the economic dimensions of the Israeli occ
upation, in addition to women and gender issues within both Palestinian and
Israeli societies
• A lecture about Israeli society will of
fer elements for understanding critical dynamics; the participants, moreove
r, will meet Israeli women and men who refuse to serve in the Israeli milit
ary
The participants will be hosted in double or triple-rooms
in a guesthouse in Beit Sahour(Bethlehem) right next to the AIC-Center. All
the tours will be one-day tour. The local transportation will be guarantee
d by bus. All lectures will be in English.
The draft program is
attached. Some changes are possible, although the aforementioned structure
and topics will be maintained.
You can find more info, pictures of the previous editions and past participant experiences at:&nbs p;
Minimum participants for the seminar to take place: 10
For more information please contact:
Alternative Information Center
Bethlehem +972 2 277 5444
Or send an email to Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilita
re JavaScript per vederlo.
The cost is EUR&nb
sp; 400 (2000 NIS) - EURO 100 deposit and EURO 300 upon arrival
It inc
ludes all meals, accomodation, transportation, workshops, visits and lectur
es. This cost does not include transportation to the region or health insur
ance for the period of the field seminar.
The AIC cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, oth ers, or property during the field seminar.
Glad to see you soon here!
The AIC Team
POB 31417 Jerusalem 91313 Israel
http://www.alternativenews.
org
email: Questo indirizzo email è protetto
dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
Building 111 Main Street, Beit Saho
ur
Queen Shlomzion Street 4, Jerusalem
Tel 972-2-2775444 F
ax 972-2-2775445
Tel
972-2-6241159 Fax 972-2-6253151