Beyond the Media on Palestine

Code: 314ee60bb9d5492a85e213a975fe9445 Copied

Palestinian Territory Culture Study Culture Refugees +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

MS Denmark has a long history of sending volunteers, organising work camps and global courses. We are part of ActionAid, and we fight against inequality by supporting marginalised people in fighting for their rights and organising to break the structures which holds them back in poverty. We also organise and facilitate cultural meetings as we believe this can bring about understanding, respect and international solidarity.

💼 What the programme involves

Global Summer Course in Palestine Join us on a three-weeks summer course in Palestine. The course is for you who want a different experience during your summer vacation, where you experience the conflict at first hand. If you are interested in politics, culture and social movements in the Middle East, this course is for you! You will get to create your own impression of Palestine and gain insight into the culture and everyday life of the Palestinians. Interesting and inspiring lessons During the course you will have Arabic lessons, learn about human rights, the situation in the Middle East, the history of Palestine and the life of youth in Palestine. The course is a good combination of seminars, presentations and personal meetings. At the same time, we will have conversations with the Palestinians we meet and visit activists and social organisations. The combination of seminars and excursions and experiences is an exciting and active way to learn. During your stay you will meet a lot of interesting people and gain insight into the modern Palestine. We will also experience the beautiful scenery as we hike to the village of Battir near Bethlehem and when we go on a full-day excursion to Jericho to experience Hisham’s Palace and the breath-taking desert landscape. You will gain new friendships and a special bond to the Middle Eastern region, and not least to the Palestinian people. Cross-cultural exchange During the course you will get new insights and perspectives on the Palestinian culture and everyday life through meetings and discussions with the locals. By meeting people, you will get insights not usually possible as a tourist – what does it mean to live in country being part of, and being very much affected by conflict? Is there a big difference in our lives and dreams? And you will get the opportunity to engage in informal talks over a cup of tea, when we visit a Palestinian village. You might get surprised by how much you can learn about yourself and others in only three weeks. The programme The course combines a global insight with the experience of a traditional summer course focusing on community, engagement and learning. The programme offers many different themes, excursions and experiences, and you will also learn a bit of Arabic. We will visit NGOs and experience the realities of an occupied country while learning from skilled and experiences trainers. The course will start with an introduction on the 11th of July where you will participate via skype. Here you will be prepared for your stay in Palestine. Some of the elements of the programme in Palestine are: - Introduction to Palestine – historically, politically and culturally - Get to know Bethlehem through a city tour and a welcome dinner - Hike to the beautiful village Battir and meet with Palestinian youth - Arabic lessons - Learn how to cook Palestinian food by women in the refugee camp Aida - Full day tour to the Hisham Palace and Jericho - Learn the traditional dance Dabkeh - Experience the life in the village and spend one night with a local host family - Learn about local groups and traditions - Human rights in prisons: meet a previous Palestinian prisoner - Excursion to Ramallah and meeting with human rights activists - Visit to the Danish representation in Palestine - Visit to a Palestinian circus school - Learn about the conditions for refugees and visit a refugee camp - Walking tour along the Wall and experience the crossing of a check point - Guided tour to Hebron and the old town, focus on settlements - Create a project based on your new insights - Fun, movies and much more! NB: The program is subject to change. Main trainer at the course Amjad Anabtawi will be the main trainer at the course. “I have studied economics at the Yarmouk University in Jordan. I have eight years of experience teaching and engaging volunteers from my work at the global platform in Palestine, but also from the global platform in Jordan and other youth organisations in Palestine. Except from my work, then I like spending time doing exercise and I enjoy going for a run in the local area.”

🏠 Accommodation on site

You will be staying at our ”Global Platform” training center in Bethlehem. The Global Platform is located in the centre of the city, close to the famous church of the nativity. The Global Platform is used for political work and serves as an education centre with classrooms and a courtyard, and where safety measures of course are ensured. There is a dormitory for women with shared toilet and bath, while men live in a nearby hostel within walking distance of the center. All participants can come to Global Platform to hang out at the courtyard or at the terrace during afternoons and evenings after the programme of the day. We start every day with breakfast together, as well as we will have lunch together. However, you will buy your own dinner and food in the weekends, as you might want to try out the different cafés and restaurants in town.

📍 About the location

There will be plenty of things to experience in the area around Global Platform. Bethlehem is in itself a very interesting town to explore with its mix of historical and cultural sites such as the famous church of nativity. You can spend time with the other participants, go to a cafe or go out to eat local food or drink Arabic coffee. Halfway through your stay in Palestine, you will have two days off where you can visit the historical sites of Jerusalem, swim in the dead sea or ride camels. There are exciting markets in the larger cities where you of course have the opportunity to talk with local Palestinians – especially students with whom you can exchange experiences and learn a lot.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.