Conference 2011: Program and registration
21/03/2011
As nonviolent resistance for freedom sweeps across the Arab world, join us in harnessing the winds of change at the 6th annual Bil’in Conference.
What: 6th Annual Bil’in Conference on the Palestinian Popular Struggle
When: 20-23 April 2011
Where: The Village of Bil’in, Occupied West Bank
From Gaza to Bil’in, popular resistance to the occupation remains steadfast. Drawing delegations from across the globe, the Bil’in conference will provide opportunities to build and strengthen ties between Palestinian, Israeli and international activists working against Israeli apartheid, to strategize and to support Palestinian popular resistance.
Prepare your delegation today and join the struggle to bring freedom to Palestine!
As a result of our experience in previous years we have decided to add a fourth day to the conference and make more time for participatory workshops. The program will include a number of renowned presenters as well as opportunities to workshop, participate in a direct action and visit other communities engaged in popular resistance.
Despite brutal repression, Palestinian communities continue to resist the occupation courageously and creatively. Representatives from the popular committees throughout the West Bank will be in attendance.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, April 20th
10:00-12:00 — Opening Session
Palestinian National Anthem
Welcoming statement by Abdallah Abu Rahmah and Eyad Burnat
Presentation by grassroots organizers from across the Occupied Territories
Opening statement by Abbas Zacki on behalf of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
Launch of the Freedom and Justice Boat live from Gaza Rachal Corrie’s mother, Cindy Corrie
Opening statement by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad
12:00-12:15 — Break
12:15-14:15 — Popular Struggle Panel
Building an effective popular movement
Prominent Palestinian grassroots leaders and academics will discuss strategies for building a mass Palestinian grassroots movement in the post Arab Spring era.
Facilitated by: Dr. Rateb Abu Rahmah.
Speakers: Jamal Juma’ - Stop the Wall, Mohammed Nazzal – National Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, Mohammed Khatib – Popular Struggle Coordination Committee, Nariman Tamimi – Nabi Saleh Popular Committee, Halah Sho’eibi – youth activist.
14:15-15:30 — Lunch
15:30-16:30 — Lessons from the Egyptian Revolution
Video conference by satellite link with representatives of the youth movements who lead the Egyptian revolution.
Speakers: Mohammed Waked - member of kifayyeh and Revolutionary Scocialists; Arwa Mar’i - member of We Are All Resistance; Ahmad Doma - Youth for Justice and Freedom; Mohammed el-Qasas - member of the Muslim Brotherhood and a representative of the Youth Coalition; Tareq Shalaby - blogger and political activist; Mahmoud Abu Sharkh - a pro-Palestinian activist
16:30-16:45 — Break
16:45-19:00 — Palestinian Politics and the Popular Struggle
The panel will deal with the lack of a wider Palestinian popular uprising of the kind that have been re- cently sweeping through the Arab World and ways to circumvent the problems such an uprising faces in the Palestinian street. The panel will be participated by representatives of all the major Palestinian political factions.
Facilitated by: the journalist Qassem Khatib.
Speakers: Nabil Sha’ath – Fatah, Khaleda Jarrar – PFLP, Mus- tafa Barghouthi – Mubara, Representative of the DFLP, Representative of the Palestinian islamic legislators, Representative of the Palestinian People Party.
Thursday, April 21st
9:30-10:00 — Opening
Opening statement by Maher Ghneim, the Palestinian Minister of State, and Bassel Mansour on behalf of the Bil’in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements.
10:00-11:45 — Boycott Divestment and Sanctions
Promoting a Culture of Resistance
Speakers:
Dr. Ahdaf Souief - the author of the bestselling The Map of Love (shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1999 and translated into more than 20 languages), as well as the well-loved In the Eye of the Sun and the collection of short stories, I Think of You.
Dr. Karma Nabulsi - Professor at Oxford University, and until 1990 a representative in the PLO in lebanon, Tunis, and the United Kingdom.
Omar Barghouti - Founding Member of the BDS movement
12:00-14:30 — On the Ground
Discussion on local examples of the Palestinian popular struggle in the South Hebron Hills, Hebron, alMa’asara, alWalaja, Nabi Saleh, Ni’ilin, the Jordan Valley and the villages affected by the still segregated Road 443
14:30-15:45 — Lunch
16:00-19:00 — Five Parallel Workshops
- BDS
- Strengthening the international support of the movement
- The popular struggle inside 48’
- Strengthening internal coordination. A closed workshop for members of the popular committees
- Promoting public and legal accountability
Friday, April 22nd
10:00-12:00 — Annual Memorial for Bassem Abu Rahmah
Opening by Ahmad Abu Rahmah on behalf of Bassem’s family
Luisa Morgantini – Former Vice President of the European Parliament and coordinator of the International Network in Support of the Palestinian Popular Struggle.
Khaleda Jarrar on behalf of the National and Islamic forces.
Message from Marwan Barghouthi
12:00-13:30 — Activist Training for the Weekly Demonstrations
13:30 — Demonstration
Saturday, April 23rd
All Day: Field trips
FAQ
How can I pay for the conference?
30 € donation is asked for registration. The conference steering committee does not accept credit cards and personal checks, please bring cash only.
How do I get to Bilin village?
You need to get to Ramallah, from Ramallah there are services that can take you to Bil’in either by waiting in the van to fill up and the price in this case is NIS 5 five Shekels or by taking a Taxi to the village and this will cost in between NIS 40-60. When you get to Ramallah, ask about « Mujma’ Al Mantiqa Al Gharbiya » means the services station for the Western Areas. You can also call one of the drivers for Bil’in, his name is Khaled Burnat (059-908-7318).
What kind of accommodation is available?
All accommodation will be in Bil’in with host families. Showers will be available in the houses. It is 20 € per person per day and this price include dinner and breakfast and all lunches will be available at the conference site.
Contacts
For any questions about the conference or your registration, please write to Bil’in Popular Committee: committee@bilin-village.org or call 059-891-4541.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Please fill out the form below to help us offer you our best welcome at the conference.
