2013-02-19

 With the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in 2012, I’lam was able to engage the Palestinian community in Israel (PCI), its youth and the larger public, in debates that touched on sensitive issues in the fields of access to education and political participation and organization. Indeed, as the fantastic turnout at the debates and feedback from the youth participants showed, I’lam was able to encourage a milieu encouraging open dialogue, understanding, reason and empathy, markers of an open society. We will continue in 2013 building on lessons learnt and riding on the momentum of 2012’s successes to carve out a space for ‘the debate’ to further impact on the PCI cultural landscape. Capacity building in debating also opens avenues for PCI members to engage with and impact on public policy in Israel to being more human rights sensitive and responsive.