Birmingham Meeting July 2007

The Britain - Palestine Twinning Network - "promoting twinning and friendship links"

Minutes from the Meeting

Draft Notes Attendees

Kamal Hawwash (Birmingham)

Caroline Johnson (Birmingham)

David Ash (Hackney)

Tony Richardson (Oxford)

Dave Barnes (Luton)

Soffia (Pendle)

Martin Lynch (Dudley)

Ash (Dudley)

Seamus ( Harringey)

Pauline (South East London)

Luca (Camden)

? (Nottingham)

Apologies

Nadita (Camden), Finola Tower Hamlets, Ed (Bristol) Miriam (Tower Hamlets)

Discussion on the political situation RE Fatah / Hamas
Universal view that whilst situation clearly needs to be watched there was no evidence to suggest that travel to the West Bank had any substantial additional risk. It was felt that we need to emphasis the importance of not backing any particular faction in Palestine or here. There was support for the idea of looking into the possibility of getting a delegate from Gaza to November conference by joint effort from groups if not possible from one of the Gaza twinning links..

Practical issues
Safe transit for inexperienced travellers going to West Bank for first time. It was thought that the peace of mind and security of any first time delegate would be greatly enhanced if they could be met at Ben Gurion airport. Ash (Dudly) volunteered to help organise this for future delegates via contact in Bethlehem.

Additionally for safe transit it was thought that it would be desirable to improve availability of contact details across the West Bank. Whilst it was recognised that Palestinian details would not be handed out we could provide contact detail for those of us in UK who help to liaise with specific areas so that we could provide delegates with an emergency contact list. Perhaps one contact for the areas around Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, East Jersualem subburbs Bethlehem and Hebron.

The potential for teacher voluteers and direct twinning was thought to be particularly good. It was proposed to hold a teacher twinning meeting to develope this who?

Document to be created on advice on selecting child delegations from Palestine made from best practice examples from Camden, Oxford and Birmingham who?

November Conference
It was decided that the November Conference would be held on Sat 24^th November opening from 9:30 for registration

Conference to be in London at venue capable of taking 150 with facility for 3 workshops.

Aim to be able to bring one or more delegates from each group although recognised that this is a request not an instruction.

Cost of delegate for one week staying with volunteers estimated £500 - £800.

Website contains details to help groups do this

Aim to have site seeing day in London for all Palestinian delegates and for accommodation to assist this by volunteers in London for Friday and Sat nights

Actual sessions agreed ?

Final speakers possible of Ahdaf Souef, Karma Nabulsi who?

AGM

It was agreed that the AGM would be held in Sept 22^nd In Birmingham

Renewal of membership to be required on this date.

Standing order form to be created for group membership by Dave Barnes

Speaking tour

People were encourage to push out to surrounding areas examples were discussed.

Perhaps we should develop a list of people willing to be called on to speak in different regions? David to look at adding button on who’s who page to invite speaker to new area.

Oct Tour

It was agreed to have an oct tour 10 people seen as number reqd to make this viable

National leaflet

10,000 leaflets produce designed by Ed F have given boost to twinning profile along with banner. It was agreed to create new leaflet which could advertise Nov conference perhaps with blank space for local stamp detail with pdf of national leaflet to be available on website for download.

Website
Twice as many hits as 10 months ago. Recognised how much David Ash has put into this. Third highest page hit is students. Biggest growth in twinning links often students where we often have little contact website clearly working for this but need to coordinate (if we have new leaflet ready for fresher’s fairs that would be a good start). David looking to include more images photo’s plus cartoons to improve site.

Unions
Tony Richardson described the development of new democratic unions in Palestine (he went out on the Sunday after this meeting to make further links) and three day conference which he was to attend. We decided to send a message of support encouraging this initiative whilst making it clear that we do not support one union movement over another and that we welcome links with all Palestinian union federations. These independent unions organise university teachers amongst others across political factions and within Gaza well as the West Bank which may assist in making more contacts for twinning links.

Opening with short intro with 2 speakers one UK twinning one Palestinian

3 Workshops

Twinning with Palestine