Diyar Board of Directors
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DiyarConsortium DiyarConsortium DiyarProductions Content Diyar Board of Directors Foreword 2 Bishop Dr. Munib Younan (Chair) Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture 6 Dr. Ghada Asfour-Najjar (Vice Chair) International Conferences 16 Mr. Jalal Odeh (Treasurer) The Model Adult Education Center 20 Dr. Versen Aghabekian (Secretary) Religion & State III 22 Mr. Albert Aghazarian The Civic Engagement Program 26 Mr. Ghassan Kasabreh Ajyal Elderly Care Program 30 Azwaj Program 32 Mr. Zahi Khouri Celebrate Recovery Project 34 Mr. Issa Kassis Diyar Academy for Children and Youth 35 Dr. Bernard Sabella Culture Program 41 Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb (Founder & Authentic Tourism Program 44 President, ex officio) Gift Shop Sales for 2015 46 Diyar Publisher 48 Media Coverage 50 Construction Projects 53 1 In all of the construction projects, Diyar emphasized alternative itineraries into their schedules. When we aesthetics, cultural heritage, and green buildings. started in 1995, there were only 60 Palestinian tour FOREWORD Thanks to utilizing solar energy, Diyar was able in 2015 guides (out of a total of 4000 guides); all of them were to generate 40% of its energy consumption through over 60 years old and had received their license from solar. By 2020, we hope to reach zero-energy goal. the Jordanian government prior to 1967. Thanks to Dar Dear Friends, al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture, today In all these years Diyar programs were highlighted in there are over 500 trained and accredited Palestinian ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ANNUALREPORT Salaam from Bethlehem. The year 2015 marked Diyar’s 20th anniversary. It was on many media outlets including the BBC, CNN, ABC, tour guides, who became Palestine’s ambassadors, September 28, 1995 that we inaugurated Dar Annadwa in the newly renovated CBS, HBO, ARD, ZDF, ORF, BR, al-Jazeera, Ma’an News sharing the Palestinian narrative with international crypt of Christmas Lutheran Church, as a place for worldwide encounter. As we Agency and Palestine TV. Diyar was also featured visitors. Also within this period, Diyar developed to gathered to celebrate the anniversary, we looked back and recognized the growth in publications such as the Economist, Newsweek, be the cultural hub in Bethlehem and is regarded as that this ministry has experienced over the years. The staff has grown from 4 The Washington Post, The New York Times and The “the most professional cultural entity in the southern persons in 1995 to over 115 employees in 2015. The number of direct beneficiaries Boston Globe. part of the West Bank.” In 2010, Diyar started its own grew from less than 1000 people in 1995 to over 60,000 people. Geographically publishing arm and was the first Palestinian publisher speaking, Diyar started its work in Bethlehem city, then developed further to The impact of this ministry on Palestine and to have their publication available simultaneously on become a national player, and now is active on regional and international levels. beyond is stunning. We were the first organization Amazon and Kindle. The overall operational budget has also grown from the initial $88,095 in 1995 to to introduce the concept of authentic tourism and $3.5 million in 2015. In less than 20 years, projects totaling more than $40 million the first institution in the Middle East to receive the With the establishment of Dar al-Kalima University were implemented ($25 million for construction and $15 million in programs). ToDo! Award for Socially Responsible Tourism at the College of Arts and Culture, Diyar developed to be In addition, within twenty years, 250,000 square meters of new infra-structure largest tourism fair, which is the International Tourism the number one address for formal, non-formal, has been constructed so far and once the master plan is completed, Diyar will be Exchange in Berlin, Germany. Today, there are several and vocational education in new fields such as film, the largest construction project carried out in Bethlehem since Herod the Great. NGOs as well as tour operators who incorporate jewelry, design, theater, music and contemporary 2 3 arts, enhancing the employability of young people and many more. However, all of this was not easy to and providing emerging industries with qualified accomplish. When we started back in 1995, there was personnel. It is therefore fitting that in 2015 we were a hope on the horizon that an end to the Occupation selected by DVV International as the main hub in the is in sight. During these last 20 years we went through West Bank for adult education and lifelong learning. seven wars, with lots of ups and downs, and today no one can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Within these 20 years, Diyar was able to start ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ANNUALREPORT many community initiatives and programs: The Diyar philosophy throughout the last 20 years Reintegration Program supporting Palestinian continued to defy the hopelessness and despair young people to return to Palestine; The Health and with programs and initiatives designed to empower Wellness Center; The Civic Engagement Program our people to creatively resist the Occupation, with its multiple initiatives including Diyar Civic communicating hope while uplifting the human story Cultural Network and Palestinian Youth Leadership and aspiration of our people for abundant living. Training which focuses on cultural leadership; Diyar continues to be a success story because of its Religion and State I-III; The Christian Academic vision, mission, members, board, staff, friends and Forum for Citizenship in the Arab World; The Network supporters. Their commitment made and makes all of Christian Seminaries and Islamic Colleges in the the difference. We thank the Lord for this success. Arab World; Diyar for Women Sports with the first female soccer team in Palestine; Ajyal Program for the Elderly; Diyar Academy for Children and Youth; Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb Diyar Dance Theatre; Azwaj Program for Young President Couples; Dandanat Dance & Music Youth Festival 4 5 1. Visual Arts Program addition, 250 DVD packages that contain the 10 films on 2 discs and information about the project Dar al-Kalima Univer sit y College • Projects were produced and distributed, as well as uploaded on the web and are currently shared with festivals for submissions. The issues dealt with focused “Portrait of Palestine” Project: Supported by the on freedom and rights (freedom form religious of Ar t s and Cult ur e Ministry of Higher Education and the World Bank, oppression, right to health, right to worship, right this initiative continued in 2015 by signing three new to personal property, right to hold political views ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ANNUALREPORT MOUs with al-Falastinieh TV, Palmedia and Rakan and free expression, women’s rights against honor Company, in addition to participating in the “Film & killings, right to work and in dignity, right to be free Television Careers’ Connection (FTCC)” at the Royal Education for Human Security and faculties from Canada in film and contemporary art. from incarceration, right to dream and right to keep Film Commission (RFC) in October in Amman, Jordan. Empowerment In terms of infrastructure, the fifth floor of the Visual memory). and Performing Arts Building was finished. The Visual Arts Department moved to the new offices and “Made in Palestine” Project: This project, funded Visual Arts Education for Palestinian Youth facilities. by NCA and FELM, was completed in 2015 with the establishing of the “Itqan for Jewelry Making” The Dar Al-Kalima University College in 2015 One additional BA program in graphic design for company that focuses on silver and jewelry design witnessed expansion of faculty, completion of Marketing and Advertising was accredited as well as and production. The majority of the company’s infrastructure, accreditation of new programs and a special diploma in fine dining; additionally, two new partners are DAK graduates. the holding of a new graduation ceremony. BA programs were submitted at the beginning of the year. A total of 6 BA programs await accreditation. “Social Transformation through Youth Media” Four full time faculty members were hired in drama, Project: Supported by Otto Per Mille, 10 films were music, tourism and English language. Additionally, Finally, the seventh graduation ceremony was held, produced (5 documentaries and 5 narrative) and the University College hired two new part-time during which 70 students graduated. screened locally, regionally and internationally. In 6 7 • Visiting Artists - Swedish artist Inger Jonasson was hosted to - Lecturer Simon Stanford, funded by the Church by Gazan artist Nidaa Badwan in cooperation with supervise the water color course during the winter of Sweden, worked during 2015 with the students the French Consulate and Alliance Française de semester 2015. on several projects as well as on creating an Bethléem. - Script expert and dramaturge Keith Cunningham opportunity for them to go to Sweden to show gave a two- day workshop on scripts and drama - Ceramicist George Lowe from the USA was - Contemporary Art students participated in the Bet their films and participate in film festivals. for the film students. hosted as a visiting artist and lecturer during the Lahem Live Festival with the “Pop-Up Art Gallery” fall semester 2015, to teach advanced ceramic in Bethlehem during July 2015. - British animator George Snow presented a lecture course. • Festivals and Exhibitions on March 26, 2015 on animation. He will return in - Contemporary Art students participated in the ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ANNUALREPORT 2016 to teach a course at DAK. Si:n Festival by screening their films at the Goethe - Contemporary Art students’ exhibition was held Institute in Ramallah as well as in Bethlehem, - Artist Steve Sabella presented an artist talk and on February 10, 2015 to celebrate the landscape between July 7-9, 2015. had a book launching on April 7, 2015. paintings drawn during a one-day workshop at - The University College hosted a pantomime - Dutch artist Jan van Der Kooi presented an artist Rashayde near Bethlehem, in cooperation with performance by Osama Said.