To mark the completion of Shatil's ground-breaking, wide-scale research project, Mapping Efforts to Improve Jewish-Arab Relations and Promote Equal Opportunities and Rights in the Central Galilee, initiated last year with support by the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh, we are pleased to invite you to the summary conference on Shared Living in the Galilee, organized in cooperation with the Inter Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues.
The project is the first wide-scale effort to document the activities of civil society organizations in the Central Galilee working to improve relations between Arabs and Jews and promote citizens' rights. Information was gathered through interviews with Jewish and Arab organizational activists, heads of local councils in the region, representatives of the Galilee Development Authority and foundations' representatives. The end result is a piercing and fascinating portrayal of the region's complex social relations and attempts to improve them. The purpose of the summary conference is to introduce key players to one another and set the stage for cooperation between the establishment, the organizations, and the foundations.
Participating in the conference will be Israel's Minister for Minority Affairs, Prof. Avishay Braverman; public and local government figures; foundation representatives; organizational directors; officials from foreign embassies and the Israeli government; and members of the press and general public.
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Location: Sakhnin Cultural Center
Conference Agenda
9:30-10:00am
Gathering and Registration
10:00-10:30am
Opening Remarks:
Mr. Mazen Ghanaim - Mayor, Sakhnin & Arara
Mr. Ron Shani - Mayor, Misgav Regional Council
Ms. Rachel Liel - Executive Director, The New Israel Fund - Israel
Dr. Barbara Burstin - The United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
Ms. Wafa Shain - The Galilee Coalition
Rabbi Brian Lurie - Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues
Mr. Shlomo Buchbut - Mayor, Maalot-Tarshiha, & Chairperson, Union of Local Authorities in Israel
10:30-10:45am
Presentation of the Project
Mr. Fathi Marshood
Presentation of the Report's Conclusions
Dr. Maya Melzer-Geva & Mr. Bakr Awaida
11:15-11:45am
Presentation of Shatil's Conclusions & Policy Recommendations
Mr. Gilad Levy, Adv.
11:45am-12:15pm
Break
12:15-1:30pm
Panel Discussion: The Report and the Recommendations - What's Next?
Facilitator:
Mr. Amiram Goldin, Shatil
Panelists:
Mr. Basem Kanane - Director, Mirkam in the Galilee, The Abraham Initiatives
Ms. Chassia Chomsky-Porat - Sikkuy and Chairperson, The Galilee Coalition
Mr. David Slyper - Member of the project's consultative committee
Mr. Husam Abu Bakr - Member of the project's consultative committee
Mr. Mazen Ghanaim - Mayor, Sakhnin
Mr. Ron Shani - Mayor, Misgav Regional Council
Mr. Nati Shevel - The United Jewish Israel Appeal (UK)
1:30-2:00pm
Open Discussion
2:00-2:20pm
Lecture
Professor Avishay Braverman, Minister of Minority Affairs
2:20-3:00pm
Lunch