29 September, 2001

PalTel & Birzeit University Signs Across Borders Project

On Tuesday September 25th, 2001, Paltel and the Center for Continuing Education (CCE) of Birzeit University co-signed the Across Borders Project (ABP) Memorandum of Understanding in Ramallah, aiming at opening opportunities for Palestinian refugees to build world-wide links & self-development, as they have been denied this right for ages. ABP shall establish online connectivity offering virtual space for refugees to communicate with one another without the restriction of borders and checkpoints. The Internet centers based in the refugee camps will be the "permit" for this virtual reunification with an audio-visual connection through webcam linkups, consequently breaking the borders of silence and isolation, which have lasted for over 50 years

As Paltel believes in securing telecommunications for all, and as this end coincides with its recent-launched campaign known as "Tell The World", Paltel has committed itself to be a partner with the Across Borders Project. Actually, it has exhibited its willingness to fully support and provide all wire/cable connections and facilities for connecting the ABP centers which include the following camps: Nusseirat & Khan Younis (in Gaza), Dheisheh, Al-Ama'ri, Jalazon, 'Askar, Far'a, and 'Ein Beit Al Maa' (in the West Bank).

Initiated in February 1999 by the Information Technology Unit at Birzeit University in Palestine, the ABP aims to bring Internet technology into Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The Across Borders Project has many friends and supporters. The Palestine Telecommunications Company, Paltel, is an important ABP Partner and a pioneer local supporter, besides the other international supporters, the main of which are: the Welfare Association, Canada Fund, Oxfam Quebec, Oxfam GB, and SDC, the Swiss Agency for Development.