The third viva Palestina Arabia Summer University of Palestine 2012

Just a update on viva Palestina Kick off Dear friend

Viva Palestina is finalising plans for the Kick Off for Palestine campaign to construct and maintain links with sporting venues in the besieged Gaza Strip.



It is five years since the imposition of the siege on 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza and nearly three years since Israel's Operation Cast Lead, which killed 1,417 and destroyed... [read more]

Just a update on viva Palestina Kick off Dear friend

Viva Palestina is finalising plans for the Kick Off for Palestine campaign to construct and maintain links with sporting venues in the besieged Gaza Strip.



It is five years since the imposition of the siege on 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza and nearly three years since Israel's Operation Cast Lead, which killed 1,417 and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. The UN reports that conditions within Gaza remain appalling. And now a decision by the UN's cultural and sporting organisation to admit Palestine has been greeted with the immediate suspension of £60 million contributions to the body by the US and the decision by Israel to accelerate illegal settlement building in occupied East Jerusalem.



Yet in the face of all that, the Palestinian people are determined to rebuild. Pressure to finally end the siege is increasing and they are looking to the future of Gaza, which has a large youth population.



That's why local authorities and civil society organisations across the Strip have asked Viva Palestina to sponsor the building of five sporting facilities at different locations in Gaza. Viva Palestina has always been guided by the principle that it is the Palestinian people themselves who are best placed to identify their own needs. And they are urgently appealing for funds to get these projects built next spring.



We want to fund the construction of four playing fields, with irrigated grass pitches, surrounding running tracks and associated facilities. The fifth project is the roofing and completion of a gymnasium/sports hall - it will be only the second such venue in Gaza. The target for our appeal is £350,000 to complete all these projects.



All labour, work and tendering will be drawn from within the Gaza Strip, ensuring that these projects also help to rebuild the battered economy.



There is a long list of sports organisations which will benefit from these projects: from football to athletics, men and women, young people and, particularly, disabled people.



Viva Palestina will be providing updates from Gaza of the progress of these projects and messages from those who will benefit from them. Consortiums of sports and youth groups see these facilities as not only a major boost to rebuilding Gaza, but also as the focus for ongoing twinning and connections with their counterparts elsewhere.



We are asking everyone to think now how they can contribute to raising these urgently needed funds. Work is set to begin at the beginning of March 2012 and the appeal will open next week on 1 December.



Here are ways for you to contribute, and a campaign pack will be up on the website next week:



For just £15 you can sponsor a square metre of turf.



For £150 - ten square metres, or one spectator place in the gymnasium - you will have your name recorded at one of the sites as a donor



For £3,000 you or a representative of your organisation will secure a place on the delegation we will send to Gaza to open the projects and to spend four days meeting the people, visiting projects and witnessing the response to the siege.



Spaces on this delegation, which is scheduled to be in Gaza at the end of May/beginning of June next year are strictly limited. This is a unique opportunity to forge ongoing links with people who against all adversity are determined to rebuild their future. We intend to take a second delegation later in the year and funds raised above our target will go to developing these facilities, similar humanitarian projects in Palestine and the ongoing work of Viva Palestina.



There are many events and avenues to raise the funds for this appeal - from sports clubs organising sponsored or charity games to getting donation from friends, family and people in your community. This also helps to raise public awareness of the ongoing siege, the reasons for it and why it must end.



Campaign materials and further details of this project will be available next week. But please do start spreading the word now and thinking about how you can contribute to building a better future for the people of Gaza.

Hi everyone Dear all,

We wanted to thank everyone who attended the Summer University of Palestine for doing so much to make it a success. We hope you enjoyed and got as much out of it as we did. We would very much welcome your feedback on anything you weren't happy with and which we can improve on and your suggestions on meetings, speakers and activities for next year.

Some of the thoughts we have had include:

1) extending the time at the university so we begin on Saturday and end on Saturday. The university timetable was very packed and if we can give ourselves a bit more time, that would allow for breaks for people to relax and explore Beirut

2) finding time to visit the wonderful ancient Roman ruins at Baalbek or Byblos.

3) organising a walking tour of Beirut (about four hours) with a professional guide.

4) providing a pack with some basic information about the history of Palestine, including a time line of key events, maps relating to the development of Israel/Palestine since 1948 and a structural plan of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the Palestinian Authority.

5) establishing an ongoing connection to Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp so that next year we will be able to visit projects initiated by Viva Palestina UK to improve the conditions of the refugees at the camp and also hold a seminar or class at the camp.

These are just a few of the ideas we have had reflecting on the week we have just had. But we would really value your suggestions.

Next year's Summer University will be from Saturday 1st September to Sunday 9th September, in Beirut. We will be producing initial promotional material for this in September. We would be very grateful if you can alert people about the event through your networks. We want to make it much bigger and better next year.

Viva Palestina UK has also announced that they will be organising a convoy to go to Gaza arriving on 27th December. Registration for this is now open. More information can be found at www.vivapalestina.org.

Best wishes and see you next year if not before,

COMING SOON: VIVA PALESTINA 6 - THE RETURN CONVOY

The events of the recent weeks have certainly revealed one truth - the siege of Gaza remains in place, and with it the suffering of 1.6 million people.

Shamefully, the Greek authorities prevented the boats of the second Freedom Flotilla from leaving for Gaza. In so doing, they are not speaking for the people of Greece, who in their great majority stand with the Palestinian cause, as they have done over the decades. The motivation for the Greek government becoming complicit in the illegal siege on Gaza is clear. The Greek airforce has just finished a two week joint exercise with its Israeli counterpart. Greek officials admit that with the economy facing devastating crisis that the Greek government is looking to investment from Israel, including in developing a new gas field in the eastern Mediterranean. In July of last year, Greek prime minister Giorgos Papandreou entertained Israel's Binyamin Netanyahu and announced closer relations with Israel.


Meanwhile, far from easing, the impact of the siege is as great as ever. International aid agencies reported last week that the economy of Gaza remains crippled. Unemployment is at over 45 percent. The ban on commerce, trade and the import of construction equipment leaves the people of Gaza dependent on periodic aid, which is carefully calibrated by Israel to ensure the population remain impoverished.

Within the last 2 weeks, the Israeli airforce bombed central Gaza, killing two people.

The overthrow of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak earlier this year and the ongoing struggle in Egypt for democracy and dignity has forced the easing of travel restrictions at the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. But the ban on the movement of goods remains. And the latest reports show that the movement of pedestrians through the crossing remains minimal.

At the same time, calls for a complete end to the siege are growing in Egypt and internationally are growing. And a surge of energy from Palestinian society - within Palestine and in the diaspora - has produced fresh impetus to end the siege, to highlight the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and to unite the Palestinian national movement.

This is a critical time for Palestinians and their supporters, in which their is both the potential to make advances but also a desperate attempt by Israel and its allies to throw back the gains that have been won by siege-breaking initiatives over the last few years and to snuff out the hopes raised by the Egyptian and wider Arab revolutions.

This is a time for serious strategic thought and planning over how the solidarity movement should respond, now that more people than ever are aware of the siege, thanks to the outrageous actions of the Greek government.

The Summer University of Palestine in Beirut from 23 to 30 July will be a place where we can take stock and plan the most effective responses.

The approach underlying Viva Palestina's successful siege-breaking missions to Gaza and its wider activities has been to try to encourage and feed into the great social processes in the Arab region which are now unfolding and which, we believe, are central to not only ending the siege on Gaza but winning wider justice for the Palestinian people.

Among the initiatives that will be discussed at the Summer University is a major mission to Gaza in December of this year, timed to arrive on the anniversary of the beginning of Israel's Operation Cast Lead attack three years ago and focussed on working with the popular movement in Egypt which is demanding that the changes there are carried all the way through so that there is a complete end to the embargo between Gaza and the mightiest country in the Arab world.

It is clear that Israel is investing heavily not only in its military machine, but also in political and diplomatic efforts to shore up its position in the face of rising Palestinian and Arab movements for liberation.

We ask you to consider joining with us as we invest time and energy to explore the most effective ways to frustrate this last ditch effort to maintain the illegal siege and to hold back the swelling pro-Palestinian tide.

We wil have details of how to register soon. Please come back for further updates - or join our mailing list to keep informed

What a huge success for everyone involved now we are giving notice for the next Summer Uni the time place and date are not yet confirmed
but it will be around the dates above
The list of speakers and venue will be confirmed shortly so please pencil in the date above and we hope to let you know the details very soon ..................................................

Remember do not be one of those who missed out with Viva 2 and get prepared now to attend Viva three which we know will be bigger and better

Please share to all your friends who envy you on your attendance to Viva 1 and Viva 2 and get registered as soon as registration is open

Anyone who attended please share your comments and photos for others to see what they missed and see you all again in 2012
with respect always

mummy Carole

Viva Palestina Arabia

http://www.vivapalestinaarabia.org























It looks like a few of you didn't receive these notes so I'm sending them again. I've also added a section on electrical adaptors at the bottom - please take note! The guidance should answer your questions but if you have more, feel free to ask and we'll do our best.

Guidance notes for the Summer University of Palestine

Visa issues

Lebanon requires citizens from some countries to obtain visas in advance of arrival. Please check if you are not sure. The process has been convoluted for those who have had to obtain visas this way, so you must get in touch with us immediately if you find you need a visa.

For British and some other citizens, visas are not essential in advance. You will either receive a card to fill out on the plane or you will have to pick one up at the airport. Have a pen with you. You will be staying at the Diana Tower, Mansour Jourdak St, Hamra, Beirut for the duration of the university, unless you have made your own arrangements.

Money

US dollars are accepted everywhere in Beirut, but your change will always come in Lebanese pounds. The current going rate everywhere is $1 = 1,500 Lebanese pounds. Try and get rid of your Lebanese pounds before leaving. There are cash machines that will issue dollars or Lebanese pounds to credit and debit cards but it’s probably best to obtain the US dollars you think you will need in advance.
Exiting the airport and passage to hotel

We hope to be able to meet all participants as they exit customs. This depends on you giving us your flight arrival details. Please email details to tony@vivapalestinaarabia.org

Passage to the hotel is secured by taxi. The cost will be lower if you are in a position to share with other participants. You will almost certainly be approached by someone offering you a taxi. The price usually quoted, in the first instance to Hamra, is $40, but you should only agree to pay $30. The fare is lower from Hamra to the airport, but the taxis you will be offered at the airport have a sort of monopoly.

Arrival at the hotel

There will be people to greet you at the hotel and to allocate your accommodation. Again it’s essential we have some idea of your likely arrival time so that we can greet you.

Hotel facilities

The hotel rooms are fully serviced, so soap and towels are included. There is a nice beach less than half an hour’s walk from the hotel, so you may wish to bring your own towel. No meals are included in the accommodation costs. Meals can be obtained reasonably cheaply a few minutes walk from the hotel. You are strongly advised not to drink the tap water anywhere in Beirut but to use bottled water only, obtained from a reputable shop and after checking the bottle top is sealed. Bottled water should be used both for drinking and teeth cleaning etc.

AUB

We will provide maps upon arrival but the AUB is approximately seven minutes walk from the hotel. There will not be a meal on the first Saturday evening now as too many participants are arriving throughout Saturday evening. There will be a briefing with question and answer at 9.30 on Sunday morning at the AUB. We will now be having the collective meal as the guests of a supporter on Sunday evening. You must always take your identity card/passport and your ticket for the event which you will receive in your welcome package to the AUB, where there is tight security.

Identity documents

You should carry your passport or other identity documents with you at all times, but especially for the trips to the south where we will be stopped at checkpoints.

Phones and Wifi

International rates on mobile phones are notoriously expensive in Beirut. A good alternative is either to get your phone unlocked or to bring an old unlocked handset and get a local Lebanese SIM card. These are only $5 or $10. It is cheaper to call abroad from them (though still pricey) and importantly you do not pay to receive a call, unlike on your own phone on roaming.

It’s hideously expensive to use the internet via your phone, so switch off data roaming before you arrive in Beirut. Unless you obtain a local Lebanese registered phone, you will have to make arrangements with your phone company before leaving to allow international access, but remember call and texting charges are high. There are a number of cafes in Hamra which have free wifi, and this is the cheapest means of communication whilst you are in Lebanon, so it is worth bringing laptop or iPad.

Local sensitivities

Some participants may like to drink alcohol and there are bars in the Hamra area. However there are also areas of Beirut where there are no bars because of religious and cultural customs and beliefs. This applies to the nearest public beach to the hotel. Shisha is available at the beach. Women use the beach and swim but the custom is for women to wear shirts and leggings. We would ask that the local sensitivities in relation to both alcohol consumption and dress are respected.

Eating

There are lots of places to eat in Hamra for not too much. There is American international cuisine as well as local Lebanese food. You can eat from between $3 and $10 per head per meal easily. We hope to be able to provide some guidance on places you might like to eat when you arrive.

Electrical adaptors

Two pin electrical plugs, similar to those in France, are widespread in Lebanon. If you are bringing a phone or other electrical equipment which needs charging or a power point, you need to invest in a universal adaptor which can be purchased at your airport of departure

Help

We will provide more Lebanese mobile contact numbers when you arrive, should you have an emergency or need assistance of any kind. In the meantime, please keep this number which you should only use once you are in Lebanon - 00961 71 269 413.



Tony Collins
Viva Palestina ArabiaBook online now! http://www.vivapalestinaarabia.org
-
Hello guys just a quick update things are all going great with the upcoming event we will have a full agendas out by the end of the week /early next week
also there are a few people still to send in details of there flights as we need to know what times you will be arriving
this ismore for the hotel and the sorting of your accommodation

also a quick shout to those who have a friend who thought it was to late to attend great news is the hotel slill had a few vacancies so its not to late to book

so looking forward to seeing you all X Carole Viva Palestina X email
carole.swords@googlemail.com or please send flight details to Tony @ vivapalestina

As Greek government does everything in its power to stop the flotilla, time to discuss next strategic steps in breaking siege on Gaza. The Summer University of Palestine is the place to be to discuss how we the solidarity movement should respond to Israel's diplomatic offensive and to the wider feeling of support for the Palestinian cause. Last week international agencies reported situation in Gaza as bad as ever. This week, Israel bombed the Strip, killing two people. Let's make the most effective response we can.



The events of the last week have certainly revealed one truth - the siege of Gaza remains in place, and with it the suffering of 1.6 million people.

Shamefully, the Greek authorities have done everything they can to prevent the boats of the second Freedom Flotilla from leaving for Gaza. In so doing, they are not speaking for the people of Greece, who in their great majority stand with the Palestinian cause, as they have done over the decades. The motivation for the Greek government becoming complicit in the illegal siege on Gaza is clear. The Greek airforce has just finished a two week joint exercise with its Israeli counterpart. Greek officials admit that with the economy facing devastating crisis that the Greek government is looking to investment from Israel, including in developing a new gas field in the eastern Mediterranean. In July of last year, Greek prime minister Giorgos Papandreou entertained Israel's Binyamin Netanyahu and announced closer relations with Israel.

Meanwhile, far from easing, the impact of the siege is as great as ever. International aid agencies reported last week that the economy of Gaza remains crippled. Unemployment is at over 45 percent. The ban on commerce, trade and the import of construction equipment leaves the people of Gaza dependent on periodic aid, which is carefully calibrated by Israel to ensure the population remain impoverished.

This week, the Israeli airforce bombed central Gaza, killing two people.

The overthrow of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak earlier this year and the ongoing struggle in Egypt for democracy and dignity has forced the easing of travel restrictions at the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. But the ban on the movement of goods remains. And the latest reports show that the movement of pedestrians through the crossing remains minimal.

At the same time, calls for a complete end to the siege are growing in Egypt and internationally are growing. And a surge of energy from Palestinian society - within Palestine and in the diaspora - has produced fresh impetus to end the siege, to highlight the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and to unite the Palestinian national movement.

This is a critical time for Palestinians and their supporters, in which their is both the potential to make advances but also a desperate attempt by Israel and its allies to throw back the gains that have been won by siege-breaking initiatives over the last few years and to snuff out the hopes raised by the Egyptian and wider Arab revolutions.

This is a time for serious strategic thought and planning over how the solidarity movement should respond, now that more people than ever are aware of the siege, thanks to the outrageous actions of the Greek government.

The Summer University of Palestine in Beirut from 23 to 30 July will be a place where we can take stock and plan the most effective responses.

The approach underlying Viva Palestina's successful siege-breaking missions to Gaza and its wider activities has been to try to encourage and feed into the great social processes in the Arab region which are now unfolding and which, we believe, are central to not only ending the siege on Gaza but winning wider justice for the Palestinian people.

Among the initiatives that will be discussed at the Summer University is a major mission to Gaza in December of this year, timed to arrive on the anniversary of the beginning of Israel's Operation Cast Lead attack three years ago and focussed on working with the popular movement in Egypt which is demanding that the changes there are carried all the way through so that there is a complete end to the embargo between Gaza and the mightiest country in the Arab world.

It is clear that Israel is investing heavily not only in its military machine, but also in political and diplomatic efforts to shore up its position in the face of rising Palestinian and Arab movements for liberation.

We ask you to consider joining with us as we invest time and energy to explore the most effective ways to frustrate this last ditch effort to maintain the illegal siege and to hold back the swelling pro-Palestinian tide.

For more information and to register, go to www.vivapalestinaarabia.org

THE SUMMER UNIVERSITY OF PALESTINE -
23rd JULY TO 30th JULY
The Summer University of Palestine is a week of lectures, seminars and dialogue focussed on the history and the fight for the liberation of Palestine, organised by Viva Palestina Arabia and hosted by the Centre for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies at the American University of Beirut in Hamra, central Beirut, Lebanon.

Participants stay in accommodation together over the week enabling them to continue the discussions informally there are also trips and events to enhance the understanding of Palestine and the Palestinian people. Last year the University was held in the Bekaa valley, Lebanon, and was extremely successful. This year it will be in the heart of Beirut.


THE CONTEXT
This year's Summer University of Palestine takes place amidst a dramatic transformation of the political situation across the Middle East. It also takes place in the aftermath of the Naqba Day demonstrations across the world on 15th May, which are reasserting the Palestinian Right of Return, and the Gaza flotilla, due to sail in the third week of June, which is both commemorating the Israeli massacre of Turkish human rights activists aboard the Mavi Marmara and demanding an end to the siege of Gaza.


UNITY
The revolution in Egypt has helped to bring about a unity agreement between Fatah and Hamas and the opening of the Rafah crossing. We are bringing together academics and political figures from the West with those of the Middle East, including Leila Khaled, George Galloway and Ronnie Kasrils, in an unprecedented exchange of views and ideas about the impact of the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East. There will be speakers from both Fatah and Hamas - the principal Palestinian organisations within the PLO forming the new Unity government - as well as political organisations supporting Palestinian liberation from the Lebanese Muslim and Christian communities. For a list of the confirmed speakers this far, please go to our website at www.vivapalestinaarabia.org


DIALOGUE
The University is going to be much bigger than last year, attracting participants from the United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Malaysia, India And Iran, South Africa, North Africa and France, Germany, Spain and the UK. They will be joining many young people from Lebanon from both the Palestinian and Lebanese communities in a unique opportunity to engage in an open dialogue.


THE VENUE
The University takes place in the beautiful, tree lined, tranquil grounds of the American University of Beirut. This is located in Hamra, a "happening" area of Beirut. It overlooks the Mediterranean sea and the Corniche which runs along the coastline is just a couple of minutes walk away. A welcoming and sandy beach is just a short taxi ride.


FOOD
We are only providing breakfast this year, if you are in the University provided accommodation. This is reflected in the price. However the AUB is surrounded by cheap eating places. For those who like international American cuisine, Macdonalds and Burger King, not to mention Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins ice cream are immediately outside the AUB gates. But there are plenty of other cheap places to eat which offer excellent Lebanese food. There are also coffee houses nearby offering free Wifi, so bring your laptops and I pads.


SEEING THE REAL LEBANON
One of the highlights of the University last year was the tour of Southern Lebanon. This took us to the southern border where we were able to see both occupied Palestine and the occupied Golan Heights in Syria. We are pleased to announce we have organised a similar tour this year, as well as a visit to a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut.


Register now to ensure you have a place on the Summer University - http://www.vivapalestinaarabia.org/.

Dr Daud Abdullah, Director of the Middle East Monitor and author of Islamic Political Radicalisation

Professor Abigail Bakan, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada and author of “Israel/Palestine, South Africa and the ‘One-State Solution‘”

Jeremy Corbyn, British MP and patron of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Professor Rabab El-Mahdi, American University of Cairo and co-editor of Egypt, The Moment of Change

Dr Ali Fayyad, member of the Lebanese parliament and author of Fragile States

George Galloway, founder of Viva Palestina

Mustapha Hamdan, leading member of the Al Mourabitoun Arab national movement

Tom Hickey, Brighton University and leading activist in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign

Dr Ghada Karmi, Exeter University and author of Married to Another Man

Ronnie Kasrils, freedom fighter against Apratheid and Minister for the Intelligence Services in the South African government 2004 to 2008

Leila Khaled, member of the Palestinian National Council

Tareq Kishawi, leading activist in the Palestinian Cultural Club at American University of Beirut and the Palestinian Youth Network

Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East corrspondent and author of Spirit of the Phoenix

Dr Karma Nabulsi, Oxford University and author of Traditions of War

Reem Nimer, Palestinian human rights and freedom activist

Professor Basem Ra'ad, Al Quds University and author of Hidden Histories

John Rose, London Metropolitan University and author of The Myths of Zionism

Dr Elaheh Rostami-Povey, School of Oriental and Afican Studies, London and author of Iran’s Influence

Dr Azzam Tamimi, Director of the Institute of Islamic PoliticalThought and author of Hamas: Unwritten Chapters

Councillor Salma Yaqoob, Leader of the British Respect Party

Bulent Yildirim, President of the IHH, a Turkish humanitarianorganisation, and organiser of the Mavi Marmara flotilla
.. ....
Please find below the provisional timetable for meetings etc at the SUP

Saturday 23rd July
Arrival with reception and dinner 7pm to 9pm
Sunday 24th July
10am to noon - Opening session: An overview of the Arab Spring
1.30pm to 3.30pm - Al Quds/Jerusalem, Zionist myths and history
4pm to 6pm - The United Nations and the recognition of Palestine
7.30pm to 9.30pm - Reception by Palestinian youth movement
Monday 25th July
10am to noon - An overview of the changing regional politics
1.30pm to 3.30pm - The Egyptian revolution
4pm to 6pm - The situation in Turkey
7.30pm to 9.30pm - The Lebanese resistance
Tuesday 26th July
A tour of Southern Lebanon
Wednesday 27th July
10am to noon - Palestinian liberation: one state or two?
1.30pm to 3.30pm - What’s wrong with Zionism
4pm to 6pm - Israel: the 21st century apartheid state
7.30pm to 9.30pm - The unity accord
Thursday 28th July
9.30am to 12.30pm - Concepts of resistance
2pm onwards - visit to a Palestinian refugee camp followed by a rally
Friday 29th July
10am to noon - The Palestinian right of return
1.30pm to 3.30pm - Women, Islamophobia and resistance
4pm to 6pm - The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign
7.30pm to 9.30pm - Closing rally: Palestine and the road ahead
Saturday 30th July
Departure by noon
The New Middle East
This year's Summer University of Palestine takes place amidst a dramatic transformation of the political situation across the Middle East.

Confirmed speakers list for the second Summer University of Palestine
Check back frequently - more speakers are being added all the time


The Revolution in Egypt has helped to bring about a unity agreement between Fatah and Hamas and opened the Rafah crossing. We are bringing together academics and political figures from the West with those of the Middle East, including Leila Khaled, George Galloway and Ronnie Kasrils, in an unprecedented exchange of views and ideas about the impact of the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East. There will be speakers from both Fatah and Hamas - the principal Palestinian organisations within the PLO forming the new Unity government - as well as political organisations supporting Palestinian liberation from the Lebanese Muslim and Christian communities.

The University is going to be much bigger than last year, attracting participants from the United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Malaysia, India And Iran, South Africa, North Africa and France, Germany, Spain and the UK. They will be joining may young people from Lebanon from both the Palestinian and Lebanese communities in a unique opportunity to engage in an open dialogue.

The University takes place in the beautiful, tree lined, tranquil grounds of the American University of Beirut. This is located in Hamra, a "happening" area of Beirut. It overlooks the Mediterranean sea and the corniche which runs along the coastline is just a coup,e of minutes walk away. A welcoming and sandy beach is just a short taxi ride.
the region. The old certainties are withering. Democracy, dignity, freedom and justice are there to be won for the first time in generations.

And with them, the greatest chance for half a century to win freedom for the Palestinian people.

This second Summer University of Palestine will bring together internationaly-known scholars, political and cultural figures and hundreds of activists from across the world to discuss and debate the historic developments. It will assess strategies for liberation and help to further co-ordinate our solidarity.

Young Palestinians are at the heart of organising the event. It will be a meeting point for all the traditions that have resisted injustice and fought for progress, with a particular focus on hearing first hand from activists in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries that are in open revolt.

Book online! http://www.vivapalestinaarabia.org
Contact: university@vivapalestinaarabia.org

Cost: with accommodation $550,
without accommodation $300


The Second Summer University of Palestine,

organised by Viva Palestina (Arabia) and hosted by the Palestinian Cultural Club

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