Jerusalem Bloc

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate...

The Union Manifesto of the Jerusalem Bloc

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. The Student Council of Birzeit University took that first step many years ago. The Council has moved forward and has attained serious recognition, both moving with events and leading them. The Council is no longer being built ever higher, yet it is secure. Little wonder, then, that all the student blocs today are competing to bear its standard.

You, brother student, and you, sister student, are the ones who will choose, who will study the given facts thoroughly, reflect deeply and come to a conclusion to decide who is most able, who possesses the energy which best qualifies them to bear this standard. You stand today before your consciences. Your votes will build your Student Council the way you want it.

The Student Council is a vibrant forum for you to make yourself heard; a forum for you to express your point of view freely. Therefore, it is to you that we must present our Union Manifesto. Through you and your choices, together we can realize this program and make it a success.

The Council President

1. Working towards representing the Student Council successfully at the University Council.
2. Ensuring the work of all student council committees is carried out and working to develop proportional representation and to spread its practice to all other areas of national life: the Council President is secretary of the Financial Committee of the Grants Committee and also of the Specializations Committee of the Academic Committee and of the Social Affairs Committee of the Organization Committee.
3. Monitoring general feeling in the University and undertaking all activities as a necessary response.
4. Promoting the Student Council at the college and departmental level and strengthening relations with them.
5. Participating in all national and societal occasions
6. Working to secure democracy as a principle which necessitates cooperation with others.
7. Calling for a conference to be convened bringing together the presidents of all student councils in the Arab nation to establish an Arab student union from the Atlantic to the Gulf.

Financial Issues

1. Working to extend and secure the fund for students in need.
2. Maintaining selection criterion for this fund and establishing a system to ensure fairness.
3. Working to make university books exempt from customs to allow for reduced prices.
4. Working towards making the children of prisoners exempt from fees.
5. Monitoring cafeteria prices and making them affordable for students.
6. Undertaking an education week on human rights to which all national organizations will be invited.
7. Working to distribute a larger number of study grants, drawing on all the available funds.
8. Reviewing the rents paid by students in the University’s old [campus] hostel, to see if they are commensurate with the facilities offered.

Cultural Issues

1. Publication of the periodical magazine The Students’ Voice with the participation of all students.
2. Organizing lectures and seminars on all different subjects of topical importance.
3. Working to distribute all kinds of magazines and publications relevant to all kinds of issues.
4. Organizing numerous poetry readings.
5. Development and nurturing of cultural talent and providing whatever opportunities are necessary for this.

Social Affairs

1. Undertaking different activities with the aim of strengthening social ties and relations between the students.
2. Making the utmost effort to solve students’ housing difficulties.
3. Organization of recreational trips in order to help students understand the land of the nation.
4. Designation of a committee whose role is to welcome new students and to help them get to know the University and its rules.
5. Organization of parties to mark all national and social occasions (Women’s Day, Religious Festivals etc.)
6. Coordination with social affairs committees outside the University, aiming to undertake joint actions.
7. Promoting the committee’s role within the Organization Committee.

The Arts Committee

1. Nurturing the different forms of artistic talent within the University in order to establish music and theatre ensembles and also scout groups.
2. Opening courses for those who want to learn to play musical instruments and running lessons in different kinds of traditional Dabke, in dance and in singing.
3. Undertaking numerous arts festivals which reflect the extent of the Palestinian people’s tie with their land.
4. Weekly screenings of arts films on different subjects
5. Organization of numerous exhibitions including drawings and cartoons by students of the University and by other artists.
6. Working towards producing a special newsletter to discuss different arts issues.

The Sports Committee

1. Forming sports teams (Football, Basketball, volleyball) for both sexes.

Translated 4/4/98 by Rebecca Reeves. Paragraph breaks arranged by translator.