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The Foundation at a new turning point

The Foundation is approaching its tenth anniversary at a time when conditions in Palestine are becoming increasingly dangerous and complicated. Instead of positive signs of new beginnings, we are faced with the image of a desperate and divided society that has lost faith in itself and in its leadership.

How then should a private institution interact with such a state of affairs? There is no doubt that the most pressing step to be taken now, after almost ten years of work, is to reconsider not only the contents of our programme and its methods, but also our aims. Are they realistic? Can we use our resources in a more effective way? We will ask ourselves all these questions over the coming year, in an effort to make a serious attempt to develop the performance of the Foundation and to enable it to face the challenges of Palestinian reality, in addition to becoming more accountable and better able to avoid the possibility of stagnation, repetitiveness and error.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to all the employees of the Foundation, especially those living in the besieged Gaza Strip, who have continued to perform all their professional duties in spite of the blockade and the shameful civil strife, thus proving first to themselves and then to the outside world that Palestinians are a creative, innovative people that loves life, peace and freedom.

Abdel Mohsin al-QattanChairman of the Board of Trustees

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2007-2008, a year full of developments

This year has witnessed a number of strategic developments that we hope will open up new ways to improve our performance, widen the scope of our work and establish or consolidate a number of partnerships with local and international institutions. The year has also seen the refurbishment of the Foundation’s new building in London, which will provide bigger offices and a venue for cultural activities. The Centre will open with the ambitious art exhibition Occupied Space 2008 on the 30th October 2008. Moreover, work has started on designing the Foundation’s permanent headquarters in Ramallah, Palestine, where construction is scheduled to begin in late 2009.

During this year we also succeeded in signing three new co-operation and co-funding contracts: the first with the Ford Foundation in the field of performing arts, the second with the European Union for the project Classics of European Cinema in Translation and the third with Gottenberg University and the Swedish Agency for International Development (SIDA) for developing a programme of teaching music in the Gaza Strip. We are thus proud that we have succeeded in alleviating - however little – the cultural isolation in which the inhabitants of the besieged Gaza Strip live. In addition, other joint projects have been implemented with a variety of partners such as the Welfare Association, the British Council and the Royal Flemish Theatre. A co-operation agreement was signed with the Hani Qaddumi Foundation to award MA scholarships to teachers in the field of education, and with the Anna Lindh Foundation on the highly successful project, Summer School for Applying Drama in the Educational Context, which was organised by the Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development in the Jordanian town of Jarash.

During this year, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Ziad Khalaf, was on sabbatical leave in the United States, as was the Director of the Qattan Centre for the Child, Reem Abu Jabr, who spent several months in the United Kingdom. These visits have provided both of them with opportunities to broaden and consolidate their professional contacts in fields that concern the Foundation. Our thanks go to the team in Palestine for carrying out their various tasks smoothly and to a high professional standard, and also to the Administrative Director, Manal Issa, who conducted the initial preparation for the strategic planning process, expected to be finalised in December 2008 and hopefully to form a qualitative turning point in terms of the Foundation’s working methodology and performance.

Finally, the coming year will represent a crucial milestone with regard to developing the managerial and administrative infrastructure of the Foundation, in the hope that we shall succeed in transforming its exclusive “family” character into one that is more professional and specialised, involving a larger number of gifted and qualified individuals from Palestine and abroad in the planning and execution of its programmes.

Omar Al-QattanSecretary

Introduction

As we approach the end of the first decade since the establishment of the Foundation’s Palestine branch, it is time to pause for reflection and evaluation, not only to assess what has been done, but also to consolidate achievements and to address failures, with the aim of improving the Foundation’s performance and effectiveness. To this end, we have initiated a strategic review and planning process with the help of local expertise. A seminar involving a large number of colleagues will be held in December 2008 with the aim of drawing up the Foundation’s strategic plan for the forthcoming five-year period.

These efforts reflect our determination to engage in the process of continual development within a clear vision. We have been strongly encouraged in this course by the impact and resilience of the Foundation’s work in the Gaza Strip, currently experiencing the blackest period in the history of Palestine.

Despite the shameful internal strife in June 2007, work has since rapidly resumed at the Qattan Centre for the Child, an assertion by each child and employee of the right to a free and dignified life. Activity was not, however, confined to the Centre. In co-operation with UNRWA, a Summer Activities project was carried out, benefiting 8,000 children from all over the Gaza Strip. As for the Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development in Gaza, it returned to welcoming large groups of teachers to continue exploring new ways of applying their work for the benefit of future generations. Regardless of the daily assassinations, destruction and the imposition by Israel of the ugliest forms of isolation and blockade, the quasi-civil war and the absence of a clear vision within Palestinian ranks, the Foundation’s programmes continued to execute their plans and to provide services for thousands of beneficiaries. Indeed, a decision was taken to extend services to include the opening of the Gaza Music School, a three-year experimental project co-funded by the Swedish Agency of International Development. It is envisaged that this project will be taken over by the local community at the end of the trial period for the ongoing benefit of the children of Gaza.

In Ramallah, the Foundation’s programmes continued their plans with the usual efficiency.

And so, with the outstanding effort and dedication of its staff, the Foundation has continued to provide a range of cultural and educational activities to beneficiaries within Palestine and abroad, actively seeking new and better methods to achieve its aim of equipping people to participate effectively in human endeavours at all levels.

Ziad KhalafExecutive Director

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The London Office also supported the Palestine Festival of Literature (7th to 11th May 2008). Seventeen Irish, British, American, Indian and Arab authors visited various West Bank cities where they made a series of readings and workshops with local audiences and writers. Together with the British Council, the London Office also sponsored Homeland Lost, a photographic exhibition by Alan Gignoux of portraits of Palestinian refugees in their current homes paired with photographs of what had become of the homes they left behind. The exhibition toured Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Alexandria and finally the Barbican Centre in London. The London Office also sponsored an exhibition by artist Nabil Anani at Foyles Bookshop in London in September 2007. As a result of its success, the exhibition was extended for a further two weeks.

Other beneficiaries of the Foundation’s support during the year included Bethlehem Link, which hosted a group of Dabka dancers to the UK in June 2007, and the Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association which works to establish links between schools and youth clubs in the UK and Palestine. The Office also gave support to the Enough Campaign to end forty years of Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights, and to the Nakba60 campaign in the UK, a series of cultural and educational events to commemorate the expulsion of the Palestinians from their homeland in 1948.

Financial Resources and Expenditure

Revenues and ExpendituresThe Foundation’s total revenues for the year ending March 31 2008 amounted to £1,341,638. £1,219,499 of this amount was underwritten by the Al-Qattan Charitable Trust, which is supervised by the Al-Qattan family. Total external contributions from jointly funded projects amounted to £82,805, and a further £39,334 came from other sources.

The Foundation’s total expenditures amounted to £1,567,572, of which £40,927 were expended on fixed assets and £1,526,645 on programme and administrative expenses.

Net AssetsThe balance of net assets at the end of the current year came to £2,838,674, of which £2,549,979 were restricted net assets, and £288,695 unrestricted.

The Foundation’s accounts have been audited by Ernst & Young in Palestine and Kingston Smith in the United Kingdom.

Bashar IdkaidekDirector of Finance

19 % Administration

6% Other

12% Culture and Arts Programme

24% Qattan Centre for Educational

Research andDevelopment

8% Palestinian Audio Visual Project

al-Qattan Charitable Trust 91%

Other Income 3%

31% Qattan Centrefor the Child

Palestine

As the scope of the Foundation’s programmes has widened over the last year, there has been an associated need for greater coordinative interaction and mobility amongst staff. We have addressed the challenges of maintaining effective and continuous communications despite the political and geographic factors separating us. Whilst contact has often been limited to online communications, we have concentrated on strengthening team spirit and on improving the quality of our work, in terms of both execution and outputs.

Some of our most immediate and central concerns have been to assure a continual process of critical assessment, identifying problems and limitations, creating mechanisms to overcome them, facilitating tasks, developing a clear vision, accepting differences of opinion, and improving our efficiency. We have thus created a self-assessment system that has been implemented for all Foundation employees. We are looking forward to using it to help develop and strengthen positive attitudes within the organisation.

When considering the conditions of work and interactions between those at all levels within the Foundation, I am reminded of a comment made by Al-Bairuni, one of the greatest scholars of medieval Islam:

“Indeed, I have done what it is the duty of every person to do in his profession: gratefully accepting advice from those who are more qualified, repairing without embarrassment any fault he might find … and perpetuating his ideas as a memento for those who will follow him. I have pointed out mistaken concepts found in every type of occupation. I have clearly described my work, thus preventing others from claiming it as their own, while leaving the door open for praise when I am right and for criticism when I make an error or oversight.”

Such an attitude, so described in centuries past, is worthy of being adopted as a foundation for a modern perspective.

Manal IssaAdministrative Director

Administrative Report

( From left to right )

• Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan introducing the CAP Awards Ceremony, Al-Kasaba Theatre, December 2007

• Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan meeting with Ramallah staff during his visit in December 2007

External Funding 6%

The following were the most prominent administrative activities of the year:

Employees, Planning and DevelopmentThe number of employees in the Foundation reached 76, in addition to 60 volunteers, representing an overall increase of 11% from the previous year. This has added new challenges, necessitating a change in human resource management. We have worked on expanding the volunteer section in the Foundation as a way of providing training opportunities for young men and women. Through volunteering, they

are acquainted with a work model to help them shape their knowledge of certain standards and values of co-operation. One of the most prominent events of the year was the evaluation of employee performance, in which one standardised system was used for all in a transparent and open atmosphere. Equally notable were the resulting employee professional development plans, which are to be applied in the course of the coming year. Employment policy within the Foundation for the coming year will be based on the present year’s experiences and on the recommendations of employees.

Regarding administrative development, a co-operation agreement was reached with the United Nations Association of International Service (UNAIS) whereby an overseas consultant will be invited to develop our Multimedia Unit so that it can handle all the Foundation’s programmes.

Preparations have also been made for the strategic planning process for all programmes and activities of the Foundation.

London Office

Besides providing logistical and managerial support to our projects in Palestine, the Foundation’s London office has made additional contributions to events in the UK. Its most significant achievement was the refurbishment of the Foundation’s new headquarters at Tower House, 226 Cromwell Road, London SW5 0SW, which was completed in early September 2008. The building now includes larger offices and a generous exhibition space that will be used by the Centre’s own projects as well as rented out to the local community. The inaugural event will be the exhibition Occupied Space 2008 to be held from 31st October until November 15th, a joint venture with and in support of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and a new edition of the highly successful show of the same name held in May 2006, with an entirely new collection of works.

Programme expenditure for the year ending 31st March 2008 (US$)

Administration Qattan Centre for Educational Qattan Centre for the Culture and Arts Palestinian Other Total Expenditure Research and Development Child Programme Audio-Visual Project

294,701 362,715 470,022 176,254 128,212 94,741 1,526,641

Revenues for the year ended 31 March 2008

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knowledge, whilst bolstering their pride in belonging to the Centre. This was in addition to long-term programmes in the subjects of natural science, ecology and the arts. It is worth mentioning that two new long-term programmes have been set up: Electronic Readings, in co-operation with the Qattan Centre for Research and Educational Development, and the Science Club. Also, a number of school activities, as well as Library and research sessions were set up, so that the total number of activities and programmes reached 54, from which 37,619 children and family members benefited.

To encourage school children to visit the Library, an agreement was made with the Ministry of Education to arrange student visits to the Centre’s Library at an average of one reading hour per class, a plan that was very popular amongst pupils.

Cultural and Artistic ActivitiesThe Centre’s activities were not only restricted to reading, but also included cultural and artistic activities in visual art, theatre, cinema and recreation. During the year, a variety of activities were held, numbering 41, from which 41,026 children and family members benefited. ShowsAgreements were made with various groups to present 26 shows, the most outstanding being the plays: Simsim, Mayya Mayya, House of Dreams, A Tale and its Meaning and Elections in the Jungle, the latter being the first play to be produced by the children of the Centre. This was in addition to musical and recreational shows, Dabka dance and fun shows. Large audiences attended, totalling 6,672 children and family members.

Art ExhibitionsTwelve different exhibitions were held, some of which were of the children’s own work while others were visiting exhibitions. Among the exhibitions of the children’s work were: Summer Produce, Autumn Produce, and Activities and Courses of Summer 2007 and Winter 2008. The visiting exhibitions were: Bridges, Drawings in a Circus and Palestinian Women, which took place in participation with the French Cultural Centre. There were also exhibitions for gifted young artists. These included Faces by May Murad and Wooden Sculptures by Fahd Mubarak.

CoursesThe Centre organised a number of courses during the winter and summer holidays on visual art, drama and music. These totalled 48 courses, in which 636 children

Foreword

Eight years have gone by since the establishment of the Centre, including five years of design, planning and construction. During this period we lived in hope that the day would come when we would be able to carry out our work at the Centre under normal conditions. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. On the contrary, conditions have worsened and we have come to realise, year after year, the increasing importance of the Centre in the lives of the thousands of children who benefit from it. Expectations have also been raised! Initially, people did not expect children to be interested in the Library or in reading, on the assumption that we are a nation of non-readers, and that technology has alienated children from reading books. Now, however, on the basis of our recent experience, we need to re-phrase the description “a nation of non-readers” as “a nation deprived of reading material”. Proudly, we say that children in Gaza have shown a capacity and eagerness for acquiring knowledge and information through all media, whether through books or electronically. This is reflected in the thousands of library items that have been borrowed every month from the Centre’s Library, and in the great demand shown by children for reading within its premises.

The children continue to kindle in us feelings of pride and pleasure through their optimistic energy; their hopes which have not been snatched away from them, their yearning for a dignified life and their open desire for contact with the outside world, as expressed in their original achievements in technology, creative writing, drawing and website design.

Regardless of all that is happening, work with children in Gaza gives real meaning to our aim of shaping the future, which we all hope will be far better than what we are living through in the present.

Reem Abu JaberDirector

Qattan Centre for the Child

Introduction

Work at the Qattan Centre for the Child was not easy last year, due to the tragic conditions caused by internal strife on one hand and the grave conditions experienced by inhabitants of the Gaza Strip as a result of the continued Israeli blockade on the other. With such prevailing conditions, the Centre had to double its efforts to face the challenges. It has succeeded in dealing with all hurdles, affirming the rights of children with regard to art, leisure, knowledge acquisition and social interaction. This it did through its services and various activities, the most prominent of which were:

The LibraryThe Library has been enriched with new resources. There are now 102,745 items in various formats, from books, videos and CDs to special needs items and toys. The number of items lent for use outside the Library was 126,161, while 137,224 items were read on the premises. The number of active members – male and female - for this year was 5,063, which makes the sum total of all valid memberships 9,158.

Library Activities To promote Library usage and to encourage reading, the Library staff organised several competitions, activities and cultural programmes which contributed to keeping an active link between children and their sources of

“The Centre has opened up new horizons in my life; it has uncovered my special gifts and abilities, strengthening and developing them. It was one of the finest experiences of my life.”Hiba Hayek, 14 years

“Initially, I objected to my daughters’ participation in the theatre, due to adverse social pressure, but because I was familiar with the standing of the Qattan Centre for the Child, as a cultural and educational centre of which we are proud, I agreed that they should join the theatre. I have noticed since then a change in their characters. They seem more disciplined and careful in keeping appointments; they are self-confident and regard work with respect and appreciation. I give my thanks to the Qattan Centre for the Child and to all those who work there for the wonderful activities which help to give confidence to our children.”Umm Ahmad Ramly

“Although I live in Khan Yunis, the obvious change I noticed in my only daughter, who is four years old, led me to attend the Centre regularly. My daughter was very attached to me, never leaving my side and refusing to talk to anyone else. After repeatedly attending beginners’ sessions, listening to stories and learning to choose what she likes, she has become very interested in selecting and borrowing books, and is now able to tell which ones are available for borrowing. She has started to join activities and has become completely independent from me, talking confidently to all.”Iman Kayyali

(Opposite page, clockwise from top left)• Qattan Centre for the Child – children in various activities during the year

(Below)• Reem Abu Jaber, QCC Director• Emad Nasrallah, QCC Deputy Director

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Information Technology The Information Technology Unit in the Centre ran 22 courses and activities for children during the year, benefiting 1,021 boys and girls. The Unit supervised the follow-up of website designs by the children of the Qattan Club for Website Design. Twelve children participated; they designed seven sites, which were shown on the National Website of Web Domains throughout the year under their own names. Also, the Unit organised and followed up the creation of the Qattan Club for Programmers, which aims at developing children’s skills and training them in programming, while continuing its efforts to supply material needed by the training programmes available to children in the Centre.

Co-operation With the Local Community The Centre is keen to strengthen co-operation by setting up joint programmes with local institutions, which this year included the Ministry of Education. Their joint efforts resulted in: running a training programme and a course named Narrating a Story for educational instructors and teachers; a grant enabling the purchase of library material which was shared by six school libraries; co-operating in the opening of libraries in various districts of Gaza by training available staff; and co-operating with the Palestine Society for Psychology and Training, where a study day was held under the title Children’s Literature in Palestine: Present and Future.

IntroductionThe past year’s work can be seen as a synthesis of the Programme’s experiences since its inception in 2000, as a consequence of the interaction of various factors and trends in an ever-changing political and economic context. A spirit of constructive criticism was always present in evaluating and developing our programmes, as well as a belief in a creative flexibility essential for developing greater efficiency. In conditions that are constantly creating hurdles, these two qualities have formed the main pillars for building and sustaining the Programme.

Of note is the Foundation’s persistence in continuing to develop the Programme and to support its team, increasing its financial resources year after year to expand the scope of its work. Not least of these challenges are (1) the increasing need and demand for the grants and opportunities offered by the Programme in the face of limited budgets and the constant obstacles of the ever-worsening, violent and overwhelming political reality, and (2) the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip and the huge obstacle this presents to the Programme in continuing its work there with artists and cultural institutions.

The scale of the challenges faced by the Gaza Strip, not only in cultural work but at all levels, is too great for the Programme or the Foundation to cope with. We call on all those working in civic and official sectors, whether local, Arab or international, to take a stand and shoulder their human, moral and historic responsibility for solving this great challenge and changing the nightmarish reality that has been imposed on a large section of the Palestinian people.

Mahmoud Abu HashhashDirector

participated, in addition to courses and meetings designed for mothers. The courses were extended to include professionals in Activating School Libraries, a course which catered for librarians, training instructors and teachers. The Technical Services Unit in the Centre continued to distribute copies of Winisis library management software. Twelve new were added to those benefiting from this service, making a total of 144. All participating libraries also receive technical and IT support.

Outreach Services ProgrammeThe capability of this programme was strengthened during its second year by reaching out, with its variety of services, to a large number of children in remote areas without access to library services. Mobile libraries offering books and reading time were made accessible to 26 schools, and 16,550 library items were lent under the institutional lending programme, inaugurated by the Centre in November 2007. In addition, complementary recreational and cultural activities were held, in co-operation with 21 institutions and schools over various areas in Gaza, from which 1,534 children benefited.

The Outreach Services Programme also participated in the Summer Games Programme, organised by UNRWA, which spanned nine weeks during the summer holiday. It incorporated four events: Book Exhibition, Visual Art, LCD show, and variety shows. These were held in 62 schools and benefited 8,068 children.

Culture and Arts Programme

Resources used by topic area Book loans by subject

Employees of the Centre0.72%

Children under the age of 6 + parents15.85%

Children between the ages of 12-1523.74%

Children between theages of 6-1159.29%

Carers and people working with children0.39%

Distribution of library users by age range

Performing Arts

Performing Arts Development Project In this project, undertaken in association with the Ford Foundation, the Programme provided new grants in the performing arts to the value of $165,000

in the five following areas: production, promotion of unique cultural works, documentation and publishing, research and translation, literary publications and specialised training.

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(Clockwise, from top left)• One of the works in Memory, solo exhibition

by Nasser Jawabreh• Tamara Habash in solo performance• Inas Massalha, opera student and recipient of

study grant from CAP• Lights of Jerusalem Group performing in

Sabastia Village• Perpetuum Dance Group, Serbia visiting the

Foundation

(Below)• Mahmoud Abu Hashhash, CAP Director

64.39 %

3.52 %3.23 %

2.87 %

2.39 %

13.70 %

1.80 %1.91 %

1.91 %1.93 %

2.36 %

Arabic stories ...................................................................81238 .......64.39%General Encyclopedic Works .......................................... 4438 .........3.52%Arabic Literature ................................................................. 4069 .........3.23%English Stories ..................................................................... 3618 .........2.87%Islamic Religion ................................................................... 3018 .........2.39%Natural Sciences & Mathematics ................................ 2983 .........2.36%Biography & Genealogy & Insignia ............................ 2435 .........1.93%Rhetoric & Collections of Literature ............................ 2407 .........1.91%Home Economics & Family Living ............................ 2404 .........1.91%Education & Learning ...................................................... 2271 .........1.80%Others .................................................................................17280 .......13.70%

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part from various parts of Palestine, sharing an interest in the performing arts, be they theatre, dance, circus, songs or other activities. The Summer School focussed on strengthening both the individual actor’s voice and on developing the projects of ambitious directors.

Visual Arts

Organisation and/or Support of Exhibitions and Other Visual EventsThe Programme supported and/or co-operated in organising 22 exhibitions in Palestine and abroad featuring a number of Palestinian and foreign artists, among them Basel Al Maquosy, Mohamed Musallam, Jawad Ibrahim, Nasser Jawabreh, Jane Frere and Odile Decq and others, in addition to supporting various workshops.

Young Artist Award 2008The programme undertook the organisation of the fifth biennial Young Artist Award in the visual arts. Twelve artists from various parts of Palestine and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights qualified for the second stage of the competition.

Artistic and Literary ResidenciesDuring the period of this report the Programme funded the participation of five artists as guests in various international residencies which included: Cité des Arts in Paris, UNIDEE – University of Ideas at the Pistoletto Foundation in Italy, Braziers International Residency for the Arts in the UK and the International Cultural Village in India. As part of the co-operation agreement with Makan in Jordan, the Foundation took part in a project entitled Makan House - Residency and Exchange between Arab Artists. The Programme also worked with the Royal Court Theatre in London and the British Council in Jerusalem to enable the annual participation of a Palestinian playwright in the international playwrights’ residency at the Royal Court Theatre.

LiteratureThe Programme awarded first prize in the 2007 Young Writers Award in the field of fiction to Akram Musallam for his novel The Biography of a Sweating Scorpion, due to be published by Dar al-Adab in Beirut in 2008, while the following received honorary prizes in the field of playwriting: Imad Al-Farajeen, Maliha Maslamani and Tayseer Al-Khatib. The Programme also supported a number of other literary activities.

PublicationsThe programme published Transformations, a bilingual catalogue of the works from the Young Artist Award 2006, it also supported the publication of the third

Hodgkinson, Nicola Gray and Anna Lucas (Britain), choreographers Carlos Pez Gonzalez and Filippa Francisco (Spain) and actor Ayman Nahhas (Haifa).

edition of the magazine, Mada Akhar, a biannual cultural and intellectual magazine issued by Mada al-Carmel in Haifa. Also, the House of Palestinian Poetry issued, with support from the Programme, the poetry collection What She Said of Him by Maya Abu al-Hayat.

Furthermore, the novel Massas by Adania Shibli, winner of the Young Writer of the year 2001 Award, and released by Dar Al Adab, Beirut in 2002, was published in Italian by Argho Publishers, Rome. Riveneuve Publishers, Paris, also published in French Hassan Everywhere by the late artist Hassan Hourani, which had previously been published by the Foundation in 2006.

The Qattan Distinction Award The Programme awarded its third Distinction Award to Riwaq, Centre for Architectural Conservation, for its publication Riwaq’s Registry of Historic Buildings in Palestine, the first record of its kind of such a key component of Palestine’s cultural and environmental heritage, in appreciation of its exceptional and comprehensive quality.

Guest House During the period of this report, the Programme hosted the following nine guests: the author Oh’ Soo Yeon, and the journalist Seo Eui-Yoon (South Korea); artists Paul Noble, Vanessa

The Programme also gave three other grants for the release of new music albums by the following musicians: Abdel Munim Adwan (Gaza/Paris), Michel Sajrawi (Nazareth) and Issa Boulos (Ramallah/Chicago).

Study GrantsThe Programme awarded grants to 19 students studying in different fields of the performing arts, especially music and drama, in various specialised institutions both at home and abroad.

Support for Performing Arts ActivitiesThe Programme also supported or co-operated with more than a hundred activities this year including performances and festivals of modern dance, theatre and music in various parts of Palestine and abroad.

Other GrantsThe Programme awarded a grant for the third year running to the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music to support the Palestine Youth Orchestra workshops, and training programmes for the Al Kamandjati group in Ramallah and Orpheus Association in Nazareth, as well as continuing to fund the first prize in the piano competition organised by the Magnificat Institute in Jerusalem.

Performing Arts Summer SchoolThe Programme organised this school in partnership with the Royal Flemish Theatre (KVS) with the co-operation of Les Ballets C de la B and Plek vzw in the town of Birzeit. 16 participants took

“You could say that the Cultural and Arts Programme is like a midwife who brought me into the world as a novelist, for it was the Programme that cut the umbilical cord of the novel “Alexander’s Thoughts”, and witnessed the completion of “A Scorpion’s Tale”. These two novels were written for the Programme Competition.

I was motivated to take part in this event and to share, through participation and trust, in its success, because I had absolute belief in its importance. We have a lot of cultural output devoid of any traditional bases. Cultural tradition does not produce originality, but it does nurture it in a safe milieu. It does not create original writers but it does play a part in discovering them and in helping them to discover others. Thank you, Qattan Foundation”Akram Musallam, novelist and journalist

“I believe the Qattan Foundation is the best thing that ever happened to me as an artist in Palestine. I have found in the Foundation a serious and reliable sponsor, supporter, advisor, mentor, partner, initiator and friend.”Francois Abou Salem, theatre director

“The Culture and Arts programme’s open minded and consistent support has enabled our educational projects to develop and evolve with the same group of children [in Burj el-Barajneh Refugee Camp, Beirut] over a five-year period. The Foundation’s support has enabled the completion of an innovative cycle between ideas and reality and confirmed the value and relevance of such creative community projects”Reem Charif, architect on behalf of Febrik

(Clockwise, from top left)• The twelve participants in the

2008 Young Artist of the Year Award

• Nizar Khater performing in Ramallah

• Participants in puppet-making workshop at the Foundation

(Opposite page, clockwise from top left)

• World-renowned artist Michelangelo Pistoletto during a visit to the Foundation, May 2007

• Singer Nibal Manshi (Issifya, the Galilee) in concert

• Participants in the Performance Arts Summer School, Summer 2007

• ‘Oud player Lu’a Khleifi in concert• The First Sculpture Festival,

Occupied Golan Heights

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• Theestablishmentofafullyoperationalbilingualwebsite,includingadatabasefor technicians and Palestinian films, in addition to an on-line film discussion forum.

Training ProgrammeThe Training Programme was the most important aspect of the Project. It was launched in Summer 2005 under the supervision of Palestinian director, Michel Khleifi, and a number of Arab and international instructors. The first part lasted five intensive weeks with 29 students (out of an original 56 applicants), while the second lasted three weeks, with the number of students reduced to 19. Students were introduced to a number of important principles of the art, techniques and history of cinema and to a practical working methodology, through a number of documentary and fictional directing exercises, as well as exercises in lighting, sound and editing. In addition, students attended a workshop in still photography and another in the principles of fictional script and documentary project-writing.

The third part included a short fictional film script competition and a short documentary project competition. These competitions were open to both the Programme students and to other producers and writers under the age of 35. Ten projects were shortlisted for an initial one-week writing seminar with Michel Khleifi in November 2006. Following the seminar, the student-writers were asked to prepare final drafts of their projects and, in January 2007, we selected three fictional projects and one documentary project for production in Spring/Summer 2007. These were: Shweish Shweish by Riyad Dayes (Jerusalem/Hebron); Let Them Drink the Sea by Razi Najjar (Acre); and Neighbours by Georgina Asfour (Jerusalem) - all three short fictions - and If Walls Could Talk by Mai Odeh (Birzeit/Ramallah) which is a documentary. In March 2007, the four writers attended an extra workshop with Michel Khleifi on preparing scenarios. This was followed by a course in production management, run by Omar Al-Qattan. Later, the remaining students of the Training Programme were invited to join the group for selecting production crews and preparing work plans.

The aim of the Programme, to quote Khleifi, was “to encourage students to build their artistic projects based on serious reflection upon the nature of the relationship between their subjective universe and the external, objective world”. “We also wanted to open out new opportunities and horizons for more ambitious achievement - in other words, to convince students that they too can do outstanding work, characterised by artistic ambition, originality and beauty, in spite

While the project presented a number of direct grants to distributors and producers to encourage them to release their films and make them available in the local and international market, the team also purchased the rights to classic films which were not readily available in Arabic.

The Network of Arab Ciné-Clubs (‘Shabaka’)A network of national and Arab cinema clubs was set up to promote film culture and encourage reading, research and discussion at a regional level, despite the borders, roadblocks and closures that separate the Arab peoples from each other. This enabled the showing of the same film on the same day, or at least during the same week, in all the clubs.

ShabakaThe project supplies participating centres and institutions with the following:

- A free copy of the film on DVD

- Internet and press exposure and other publicity

- An electronic discussion forum about the film, with information on the programme, titles and filmmakers

- A well-researched article on the film during the period of its screening

European Cinema Classics in ArabicThe project was launched in January 2008 for a period of nine months, jointly funded by the European Union with a budget of €105,000. The Project set up a high-end video subtitling unit in collaboration with Sama Productions in Ramallah. Non-commercial distribution rights were acquired for 15 classic European films and Arabic translations were made of these films, which were then shown through the Network of Arab Cinéclubs Clubs in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, as well as the ciné-clubs in the 46 schools set up as part of the Palestinian Audio-visual Project.

of the Occupation and the persistent defeats succumbed by their society”.

School Film Education ProjectThe Programme set up 46 ciné-clubs equipped with all the latest video-projecting technology in various schools in all parts of historic Palestine (including the 1948 areas), from the town of Tamra in Galilee to the city of Rafah in the south! This was in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and a number of private schools. The programme distributed high quality copies of more than thirty international classic films, subtitled in Arabic, in addition to a number of international and Arab classic films for which the distribution rights were bought and Arabic subtitling provided where necessary. We also trained the teachers supervising these clubs in the basics of cinema and audio-visual language, the history of cinema, and some of the ways of using films in schools as an educational vehicle. The programme also designed and provided online materials to support teachers, including translated articles and books.

Publication and DistributionThe project provided more than thirty grants for publication and distribution of films about Palestine on DVD. These were distributed to the 46 schools in addition to clubs and community centres affiliated to the Network of Arab Ciné-clubs (Shabaka) which we founded in all of historic Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The Palestinian Audio Visual Project (PAV)

IntroductionThis project, which ran for three and a half years with a total budget of €616,000 of joint funding from the Foundation and the European Union (Partnership for Peace Programme), drew to a close. It included a national Training Programme, a Schools Film Education Programme, and grants for the publication and distribution of audio-visual works with Palestinian themes.

Achievements• FirsteverPalestiniancinemaandtelevision industry survey conducted• 29studentstrainedinthefoundations of filmmaking • Fourshortfilmsproducedbycrewsof students and volunteers in quasi-professional conditions• 46ciné-clubs,includinghigh-endprojection equipment, established in schools in various parts of historical Palestine• Sevenworkshopsheldwithteacherson the use of films in the classroom• Over2,100copiesof47Arabandinternational classic films distributed to schools• 30filmswithaPalestinianthemegranted a publishing or distribution grant• TheNetworkofArabCiné-clubs,Shabaka, established, with 34 members from Palestine and three neighbouring countries

This project is funded by the European Union-Partnership for Peace Programme and the A.M. Qattan Foundation.The project is the sole responsibility of the A.M. Qattan Foundation and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

• DVD covers of some of the films published by PAV and by the Classics of European Cinema in Translation Project

(Opposite page, clockwise from top left)• Student crew filming Neighbours in Old City, Jerusalem• New Shabaka website interface• Midsummer Night’s Film Festival poster• Wallaa’t Music Group on Acre’s old city wall, during

filming of Let them Drink the Sea• Scene from If Walls Could Talk

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A Midsummer Night’s Film FestivalA Midsummer Night’s Film Festival was held in the last week of July and first week of August 2008 all over the West Bank, Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and 1948 areas. It involved more than 35 venues across Palestine. The festival screened more than 16 international and Arab films, many of which had never before been seen in Palestine. This pioneering approach to film distribution included many areas that are rarely provided with film screenings. Films were chosen for their artistic interest as well as their relevance, in subject matter or approach, to the concerns or situations of contemporary Palestine.

Subtitling Unit for commercial use The new, high-end FAB subtitling equipment, purchased as part of the programme, is now fully operational. A technician has travelled especially to Germany where he received technical training in its use. In September 2008, he will also train a second colleague in its operation. The equipment is the newest on the market, faster and more accurate than any other similar service available in Palestine and can subtitle from and to all languages. This public-private collaboration has been achieved between the Foundation and Sama Productions in Ramallah. For more information, please visit www.samaproduction.com.

The project aims specifically to:

- Raise local skill levels in the specific technical field of production by setting up a translation unit- Create a varied and outstanding programme of film showings in a large number of schools and local communities- Make available classic films with Arabic subtitles, unavailable in the local marketFilm titles which the Project is in the process of subtitling and acquiring distribution rights for are:

• Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948), directed by Max Ophüls• Caught (1948), directed by Max Ophüls• Generation (1955), directed by Andrzej Wajda• Kanal (1956), directed by Andrzej Wajda• Ashes and Diamonds (1958), directed by Andrzej Wajda• Un condamné à mort s’est échappé (1956), directed by Robert Bresson• Le mystère Picasso (1956), directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot• La passion de Jeanne D’arc (1928), directed by Carl Dreyer• Ici et ailleurs (1976), directed by Jean-Luc Godard• Lacombe Lucien (1974), directed by Louis Malle• The Merchant of Four Seasons (1972), directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder• The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant (1972), directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder• Respiro (2002), directed by Emanuele Crialese• Les enfants du paradis (1945), directed by Marcel Carné• Les portes de la nuit (1946), directed by Marcel Carné

The Shabaka website has also been upgraded. It is now interactive and contains a discussion forum where users can post their comments and write film reviews. It also contains directors’ biographies and other information on the Project’s films.

“The films shown at the Festival were a departure from the Hollywood movies that people have become so used to that they think they are the only cinema that exists. The Festival made a great impression on the audience, making them curious to watch more European films.” Raid HawariAtiq Club, Hawara

“The Festival was very good because such an event has the effect of enriching the ordinary citizen’s cultural knowledge despite the siege. The choice and selection of films were good in that they addressed core issues and encouraged repeat events.”Mohammad SamhuriGaza

“We value the efforts that went into the success of the summer cinema programme, whose festivities filled the streets of the Old City with magic, beauty and knowledge, uncovering a path to the world of cinema for passers-by and dreamers alike.”Yasir QawsAfrican Community Association, Jerusalem

Forward

Over the years of the Centre’s work in the field of research and collaboration with teachers, the question has always arisen as to whether what we are doing is having an effect on the development of teaching in Palestine. This question endures when we are critically assessing our work and making efforts to improve it. The challenges of our work have lain not only in disseminating modern teaching techniques but also in changing the underlying aspirations and beliefs of some teachers. Change requires a conducive climate, a strong incentive and an inner desire for change. While some teachers genuinely want to bring about a qualitative change, the requisite motivation is not found in all. There are those who prefer things to remain as they are and those who want things to regress, while others genuinely want to bring about a qualitative change. Such a change, however, will not materialise if it does not occur at both personal and group levels working in conjunction. In any case, our work should be directed at all teachers, and any change at any level is useful. Of great importance is the creation of inspiring initiatives for teachers that encourage them to join in increasing numbers an ongoing and incremental process. This has become clear to groups of teachers who have had constant and varied dealings with the Centre. The clearest influence of our work can be seen in the changing mindset towards education and upbringing that has started to find its way into the school system; the Centre now represents an important forum for discussion and has prompted teachers to undertake their own educational initiatives that are themselves inspirational. For these reasons, our work is focused on educational initiatives aimed at (1) Creating a climate of active discussion among teachers (2) Producing a non-traditional paradigm for teachers (3) Encouraging and supporting inspiring educational initiatives (4) Providing a venue for sharing experiences. This is a long journey; it should combine diligence, patience and vigorous interaction as well as the necessary critical mindset. I have seen and felt such attitudes in committed teachers who work hard and with care, never letting an opportunity go by. It is these teachers who fill us with hope and it is necessary that we continue with the aim to inspire and nurture their optimism.

Wasim Kurdi Director

Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

• Students watching a film in school film club

• Omar Al-Qattan in Teacher’s Workshop, March 2008, School Film Education Programme

(above and to the right)• Students and Teachers in various

QCERD activities and workshops

(below)• Wasim Kurdi, QCERD Director

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scientific culture, Children’s expression through storytelling, The teaching of history and Technology and cartoons. All these form the basis of a vision that regards work with teachers as an incremental and long-term operation working towards a fundamental change in perspective, direction and performance.

• Publications1. Ru’a Tarbawiyya (Educational Visions)The quarterly educational magazine is published in hard copy and disseminated electronically. The number of regular subscribers to the magazine is now 2,037 in the West Bank and 1,300 in the Gaza Strip. The number of pages in the magazine ranges from 172 to 200 containing research papers, practical articles, teachers’ experiences and translations. Every edition of the magazine also includes a special feature. This year’s special features include Education: practice and freedom, Scientific culture and Education and the arts.

2. BooksThe Centre published a series of practical studies in a number of areas: (1) Teaching in the context of everyday life: challenges that encourage learning (2) The culture of mathematics: mathematics with a meaning (3) Conversation and the liberation of meaning: A study of The elephant, oh king of these times a play by Sadallah Wannous. The Centre also republished the following (1) The Basics of Teaching (2) Alternative Thinking (3) Men in the Sun: Between the presence and absence of the text. There are also a number of works that are still in progress in the following fields: optimism and pessimism, sciences and scientific culture, a package to assess the difficulties and problems of learning the Arabic language, and problem solving.

• Teachers’ ForumsThe emergence of teachers’ forums can be considered a new experiment. The Centre has given great importance to this initiative, providing it with support and supervision over the course of the year in the light of the level and nature of previous proposed initiatives. Teachers’ forums are of vital importance in their own local communities, but can also be regarded as vital to the work of the Centre. The forums have taken on different characteristics in the West Bank and Gaza.

Areas of Work

• ResearchThe Centre is developing its work with teachers in the light of its applied research activity. This year’s research focused on a range of subjects in accordance with our mission. Other research work covered the following areas: the comprehensive curriculum, the culture of mathematics, reflective research through practice, emotional intelligence, the study of history, language and literature, drama as an educational tool, creative writing, creating a thinking culture through classroom questioning and classroom management, and strategies of teaching and learning. The success of the Centre’s research work has encouraged us to extend the scope of our work. Thus groups of teachers were trained to work on small applied projects in their schools, while other groups presented practical applications through a programme of utilising drama in teaching. This enabled them to get involved with varied levels of work, especially as a number of them had already taken part in previous trials such as The teacher as a researcher, Professional efficiency and Reflective/procedural research studies, in addition to research projects developed in the light of trials between researchers and teachers. These include Science and

A difficult beginning for a new year

The Centre’s main concerns were how to deal with groups of teachers with widely different views and how to develop their ability to discuss matters democratically. The teachers’ sector, like all others, has suffered from the effect of the recent civil strife and the tightening of the Israeli blockade of Gaza since 2007. As a result of these conditions, priorities were changed and new levels of expectation were set which had an impact on teachers’ participation in the activities of the Centre’s branch in Gaza. Some were unable to attend certain events while the Centre postponed some activities and occasionally cancelled others.

Despite all these difficulties, everyone was looking forward to the beginning of the new school year. A quarter of a million students made their way to school, each with hopes that his or her dreams would be fulfilled. Their smiles faded, however, for it is impossible for dreams to come true amidst the all-pervading pessimism, which is seriously threatening the course of learning. First there was a strike by teachers on the opening day of school. Numerous accusations and threats were exchanged and the state of political division with its accompanying political harassment deepened. Job appointments and arbitrary dismissals from work were based on political considerations, pushing the process of teaching into a dark tunnel from which it might never be able to escape. The teaching profession is thus in a state of anxiety which is not only affecting teachers deeply, but students and society as a whole.

We believe that the educational system has a fundamental message and role which it must assume: it must build up the art of discussion, instil the culture of difference and respect for other opinions, and leave a space for freedom of expression and the exchange of opinion, thus preventing blind ideological bigotry.

How far removed we are now from the 1930s! The well-known scholar Sakakini had this to say then: “Schools should safeguard knowledge; they should deal with each lesson as if they did not belong to any particular place, nation or religion. They should accomplish this without the need to flatter the world or those who influence it. Schools exist to serve knowledge, to broaden outlooks and to refine manners, not for propaganda purposes”.

Dr. Mohammed Abu Mallouh, Head of Gaza Office

IntroductionThe Centre looks forward to continued achievements in its educational mission through the completion of ongoing projects, applying lessons from the more productive ones, and undertaking other initiatives to increase effectiveness and build links between its various projects. This year the Centre has focused its attention on the following goals:

- Increasing the number of teachers interacting with the Centre on a regular basis- Working with teachers to develop qualitative and incremental projects based on their own practical research - Providing teachers with resources and suitable programmes as a priority in their professional development, a step that will be reflected in essential changes to the teaching body to which they belong.

“Working with the Centre has given us a strong incentive to achieve; it has provided us with a desire for discovery and allowed us to see things from different perspectives. I have witnessed that in myself while working: I have become stronger and braver, having gained confidence and freedom of expression, physically and linguistically. I now possess scope for imagination which seems limitless.”Arwa Abu MuqaddamDura, Hebron

“It is interesting that, in this course, we have tackled another facet of the power of mathematics, which is its beauty. Since then, I have been able to go to lessons, enriched by what I had learned here; this has helped me to encourage students’ love of mathematics. It is good that a teacher should have a fertile imagination to make anecdotes for use during a mathematics lesson. I have benefited greatly from the book Mathematics Culture, and I intend to get a copy of it.”Ra’id Salihy, teacherSalah Charity School, Deir al-Balah

“Dear editors of Ru’a,I would like to congratulate you on the very high level which Ru’a has attained - helped by your unfailing efforts in the service of education- in publishing serious and useful subjects, particularly the last issue sent to Dr. Yusuf Tibas, which I happened to read.”Aziz MashwatMorocco

The Centre worked towards these aims through various means, such as: long-term research work with teachers, development of incremental programmes and courses, encouraging teachers with membership of some clubs to enrol in other activities, initiating new projects and programmes, developing links with local, Arab and international institutions, taking part in conferences and workshops at an Arab and international level, writing articles in Arab and foreign magazines, developing a publishing programme, and providing databases to support research aims. The Centre also took part in the consultative process leading to the publication of a document entitled A strategy for training teachers in Palestine, which was produced by the Ministry of Education and UNESCO. Also, the Centre is planning to write about its experiences in working with teachers over several years.

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a building adjacent to the Foundation’s headquarters. The two libraries consist of a section of Arabic books, a section of English books, a section of reference books and periodicals, a computer and audiovisual section, and a section of standards and surveys.

2. Databases and archivesWith the help of the Multimedia Unit, the Centre prepared various databases to help researchers, students and teachers. This includes: a database of teachers involved in the Centre’s programme since its founding; a database documenting applied classes resulting from research projects; a database of students’ and teachers’ views of their work and their co-researchers’ work; a film database; a database of courses, workshops, conferences and study days organised by the Centre throughout its history.

• Launch of new projectsThis year the Centre launched the following series of new projects:

- Scientific culture: a pilot project with teachers and students, based on scientific culture and the methodology of scientific thought- Summer school, Drama in an educational context: a new three-year experiment involving teachers, organised on a methodical, incremental and practical basis. Participants were teachers from Palestine, including the 1948 areas, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. It was led by a team of specialists in the subject. - The Qaddumi-Qattan Scholarship for Educational Research: a full academic grant for teachers wanting to complete a Masters degree abroad in specific subjects, supported jointly by the Foundation and the Hani Qaddumi Organisation.- The School in Cinema, a project entailing the collection of films, with schools as a central theme, from various cultures and countries. - Mujawara: a programme of reciprocal exchanges between teachers in Palestine and schools abroad and vice versa, which is still in its early stages.

Some hold regular meetings to discuss specific issues, as in Gaza. Others have teachers’ discussion groups, monthly teachers’ forums and monthly forums for managers. The latter are managed and hosted by the Centre’s two branches. There are also forums that are initiated by teachers in a specific geographical area. as in the West Bank, where teachers plan their activities and their schedule according to their own priorities, with the technical and material support of the Centre and the local community. One of the best examples of this is the initiative taken by the forums in the South to organise courses throughout the summer in applying technology in teaching, with the Centre providing funds and organising training. On the same subject, new topics have started to emerge: a specialised forum was founded in applying drama to teaching and another in the area of Regaining wisdom. It is expected that other new specialised forums will be set up in the coming year, especially in the field of history.

• Resources1. LibraryThe Centre has two specialised libraries in humanities and education in Ramallah and Gaza City. These are regularly updated with new books, magazines and databases. In addition, the libraries put on various cultural activities and organise visits for teachers and students. The library in Ramallah has been expanded and has moved to

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• Teachers and students in miscellaneous QCERD activities • Second picture from top left: Professor Melani Mcallister in an informal meeting with QCERD staff during a visit to Ramallah

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I shall tell you a little story about a little schoolboy called Mutasem who was thin and intelligent. In the history curriculum there was a lesson that this student was looking forward to with eager anticipation, a lesson entitled “Mutasem”. The lesson started and whenever the teacher mentioned the name of Mutasem, the boy would smile and crane his neck in the hope that the teacher would say that there was a Mutasem in the class. The teacher repeated the qualities of the Caliph al-Mutasem, and told the story of the Arab woman who came to him for help. The teacher’s voice echoed in the ears of the little boy, calling out “Mutasem! Mutasem!” The boy started to imagine how he would have acted by coming bravely to her rescue. This made him proud of his name which seemed to him the most beautiful in the class! The teacher, in the meantime, had paused for a moment and then carried on praising Mutasem the Caliph, saying how he was brave and strong and able to kill lions with his bare hands. He then pointed to little Mutasem saying “Mutasem the Caliph was not like our Mutasem who is afraid to go to the bathroom alone during the night!”. The way the students looked at Mutasem and their sarcastic smiles extinguished all the burning candles within him. At that moment, he hated his name because he didn’t deserve it. He hung his head accepting what the teacher had said, feeling sure that he would never be like the Caliph Mutasem. His dream had turned into a nightmare and his vivid imagination shrank until it almost strangled him. The teacher didn’t realise the effect of what he thought was only a funny joke which Mutasem had taken with a sad smile. Years passed and whenever the name Mutasem was mentioned, our friend didn’t think of bravery, heroism or anything else; instead, he would think that now he had enough bravery to go to the bathroom on his own during the night! Today Mutasem is the teacher and through his collaboration with The Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development, he tries to protect his students from the destruction of their dreams. To this end, he draws a map of their homeland in the playground and builds from stories and pictures the road to Acre, trying with all his strength to complete this project with a trip to Acre so that his students can see it as a historical and geographical text and Mutasem can regain some pride in his name.

Mutasem AtrashTeacher at Jaljoulia School and participant in the second year of Summer Drama School, and in Small Applied Projects in Schools. The above extract was taken from Impressions of a Trip to Acre: Acre a geographical city and “historical text”.

• DVD covers of some of the films published by Classics of European Cinema in Translation Project

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Contact information

Palestine

PO Box 2276, RamallahTel: 00 970 2 296 0544Fax: 00 970 2 298 4886

United Kingdom

Tower House, 226 Cromwell RoadLondon SW5 0SWTel: 00 44 207 370 9990 Fax: 00 44 207 370 1606

info@qattanfoundation.orghttp://www.qattanfoundation.org

A. M. Qattan Foundation is a British registered charity (no. 1029450) and is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No. 2171893. Registered address at 79 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RB. Its registered No. in Palestine is QR-0035-F

Board of Trustees

Abdel Muhsin al-Qattan - ChairmanLeila al-QattanNajwa al-QattanLina al-QattanOmar al-Qattan – Secretary

Management

Palestine

Ziad Khalaf, Executive DirectorManal Issa, Administrative DirectorBashar Idkaidek, Director of FinanceReem Abu Jaber, Director Qattan Centre for the Child, GazaMahmoud Abu Hashhash, Director, Culture and Arts ProgrammeDr. Fouad Moughrabi, General Director, Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development (non-remunerated)Wasim Kurdi, Acting Director of the Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development Dr. Mohammed Abu Mallouh, Director, Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development, Gaza

United Kingdom

Julia Helou, Administrative Director

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