Annual Report 1999 - 2000

Developing Relations Abroad

"Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." (Demosthenos)

Relations abroad provide models of how other societies solve their internal conflicts, and also allow for gaining a different perspective on the Palestinian situation through looking at it from the 'outside'. Last year, various members of the Center participated in conferences and training in Europe, United States, and the Middle East- while others visited both the United States and Canada. 

Wi'am has hosted two interns from the United Methodist Church's General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Through their Mission Intern Program, they have been able to help the center in it's advocacy work, disseminating information to contacts around the world about the situation on the ground, and the projects and seminars taking place at the center. The valuable experiences they have in the center allow them to better understand the situation of the Palestinian community in the Bethlehem area. Upon their return to the United States, they are able to continue their work to promote truths about the situation they witness on a first-hand basis during their time spent working at the center.

Peacequest in Sweden hosted two youth from the Center for training on conflict resolution, democracy, and human rights. Another youth visited Swedish schools with an Israeli youth to talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Later in the year, Wi'am sent a youth to participate in a six month course focusing on 'Peace Studies'.

Five people from Wi'am, together with other youth from Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon participated in workshops on conflict mediation and peacemaking organized by MECC in Cyprus, followed by a sequel in Lebanon. They learned skills in leadership development, and youth empowerment. Participants were introduced to new methods of conflict mediation through models from Sudan and Egypt ("Rubbish City"). Our colleagues returned to Wi'am reenergized by not only the newly acquired knowledge, but also by the new web of friendships woven during the conference providing them with continuos support and window to the world outside Palestine.

As a response to the visit of Native Americans to Palestine, a delegation from Wi'am traveled to the Native American reservations of Pine Ridge (South Dakota), Hollow Water (Winnipeg), Chechashite (Labrador). They visited families, shared stories and cultures. While learning about the similarities between the history of Palestinians and Native Americans, both felt the need for further collaboration and support of each other.

In March, the director participated in a conference in Ireland, entitled Researching Violent Societies, where he gave a lecture on the new trend among Israeli historians to rewrite history. Later that same month, he joined a group of doctors from the United States, England, Australia, and Canada (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) to Iraq to bring medicine and books for the medical schools and children affected by the sanctions. As he put it, "I was shocked by the number of children 


suffering from malnutrition, by the sight of so many children affected by the use of chemical weapons. In one of the hotels we stayed in Baghdad, people asked for milk for their children, and I felt guilty that I didn't bring any with me." Despite these severe conditions, he was pleasantly surprised by the religious pluralism existing in Iraq.