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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t per vederlo.
-------------------------------------- -----------
SPRING EDITION:
International Political Field Semin
ar
Bridges Instead of Walls!
Organized by the Alternative Infor mation Center
Introduction
In an increasingly globalized world,
it is often the case that quantity of information is privileged over qualit
y. We often deal with cultures without knowing their histories or the thing
s that we have in common with them. We generalize about "East" an
d "West" forgetting that we have several traditions, experiences,
and values to share. Talking about a cultural conflict, or a "clash o
f civilizations", is an overly simplistic way of characterizing differ
ences, leaving historical facts, experiences, and common desires for intera
ction far from consideration. Mutual understanding is the basis on wh
ich relationships have to be built, because all "sides" share val
ues such as respect, tolerance and peace. Stereotypes should therefore not
prevent people from approaching the "other" world, nor limit a co
nstructive dialogue about values, ideals and our common future on this plan
et.
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 practical i
mportance through the action of the participants, who collectively describe
d it as a very rich experience.
We at the Alternative Information Cent
er will make the necessary efforts to continue developing the seminar exper
ience. In this context the ideas, suggestions and encouragement of the part
icipants and their commitment play an essential role. Let us unite our soci
al, cultural, humanitarian, and political efforts as peoples from many nati
ons in order to end the walls of occupation, aggression, discrimination and
racism. Let us build the bridge of justice, peace, equality, human justice
and respect.
HOSTING ORGANIZATION: The AIC
The Alternati ve Information Center (AIC) is an internationally oriented, progressive, jo int Palestinian-Israeli activist organization. The AIC has been founded 198 4 by Palestinian and Israeli activists believing in the joint struggle for the End of the Israeli Occupation and the respect of the fundamental human rights and the National rights of the Palestinians. The AIC is engaged in d issemination of information, political advocacy, grassroots activism and cr itical analysis of the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. The AIC strives to promote full individual and collective social, economic, political and gen der equality. Freedom and democracy, as well as rejection of the philosophy and practice of separation, are aims that the AIC pursues.
GOALS
The goal of this field seminar is to provide participants w
ith 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 experiencing the ef
fects of the conflict, as well as the living and political conditions in th
e Occupied Palestinian Territories, will provide a unique, on the ground ex
perience, as opposed to an understanding based on media, propaganda or rumo
rs. This is a necessary step in the process of understanding the factors th
at have led to the present situation. Comprehensive knowledge is the
necessary starting point for building bridges.
The Palestinian voice
is often ignored or accused of extremism. As a joint Palestinian-Isra
eli organisation founded in 1984, the AIC aims to create spaces in wh
ich the Palestinian people 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 a
nd associations that share the same values of the AIC and are deeply engage
d in promoting a just peace and social justice for both Palestinians and Is
raelis.
The networking of individuals, associations, political partie
s, information and media workers is fundamental in building a pressure grou
p able to encourage governments and economic groups to act responsibly, wit
hout ignoring the consequences of their actions or non-actions.
TOOLS
The tools that will be used to achieve the aims described ab ove include:
- Tours throughout the West Bank, Jerusalem and Jaffa to
view first-hand the living conditions of Palestinians under occupation
- Meetings with progressive Israeli social and political groups
- L
ectures by Palestinian and Israeli experts about topics including economics
, human rights, politics, social issues, international law, history and gen
der
- Meetings with politicians, social institutions and grassroots as
sociations
- Cultural events (concerts, meeting with Palestinian famil
ies, etc)
- Open discussions
- Reflection moments
PRO
GRAM
The main guidelines adopted throughout the 6 day field sem
inar follow a logical path: providing elements for deeper, reflective under
standings, having direct experiences, developing a critical approach and gi
ving suggestions for effective advocacy.
The first step consists in pr
esenting the general framework of Palestine and Israel with historical and
political elements.
We will present the AIC vision, policies and acti
vities in the field, and also a more comprehensive global perspective relat
ed to the attitude of western and Arab countries toward the conflict.
The draft program is attached
. Some changes are possible, although the aforementioned structure and topi
cs will be maintained.
You can find more info, pictures of the previous editions and past participant experiences at:
< p>For mo
re information please contact:
Alternative Information Center
Bet
hlehem +972 2 277 5444
Or send an email to Ques
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ript per vederlo.
The cost is EUR 400 (
2000 NIS) - EURO 100 deposit and EURO 300 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 field seminar.
The AIC cannot accept any responsib ility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or p roperty during the field seminar.
Glad to see you soon here!
The
AIC Team
POB 31417 Jerusalem 91313 Israel
http://www.alternativenews.orgemail: Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli sp
ambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
Building 111 Main Street, Beit Sahour
Queen Shlomzion Street 4, Jerusalem
Tel 972-2-2775444 Fax 972-2-
2775445
Tel 972-2-624
1159 Fax 972-2-6253151