About Ibdaa's International Cultural Exchange Program

The Israeli occupation imposes many restrictions on travel for Palestinians, even moving from one Palestinian town to another can be impossible because of checkpoints, roadblocks and curfews. But despite these barriers, Ibdaa has succeeded in reaching the international community and building relationships and solidarity with friends and partners in Palestine and around the world.

Face to Face

Ibdaa dancers, sports teams, women's delegations, children's delegations and health committee representatives have traveled around the world, connecting with people in Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Lebanon, Sweden, Tunisia and the United States. During these trips, participants visit local schools and community centers to exchange life experiences and learn from their peers around the world.

Ibdaa members also regularly attend international summer camps, programs and seminars on peace education, film and art festivals, social forums, and campaign meetings for children's rights. And we receive international delegations almost daily right here in Dheisheh. Through these short visits we are able to explain about our situation as Palestinian refugees and lay the foundation for future communication and cooperation.

Window to the World

The Ibdaa computer lab enables refugee youth to participate in global Internet connections with youth all over the world. Using the computer lab, Ibdaa youth participate in the following programs:

•  Across Borders: This virtual connection program links Palestinian refugees from camps in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. This project includes a network of websites for each camp. The Ibdaa/Dheisheh site, which is updated weekly with news about the camp by Ibdaa youth, can be found at www.dheisheh.ps. Across Borders also includes virtual exchanges between youth from each camp since it is nearly impossible for them to meet in one place.

•  Cyberbridge Project: This global connection brings together Ibdaa youth with youth in Catholic Schools in the United States to exchange information, pictures, and stories about daily life and culture.

•  South Valley Academy High School: Beginning this fall, Ibdaa youth will begin a global connection with these 9 th grade students New Mexico. Over several months the youth will create photo essays depicting the similarities and differences between their lives as refugees in Palestine and as immigrants in the United States.

Go to the Ibdaa Media Cultural Exchange Download Page

International Volunteers

Ibdaa receives volunteers from all over the world to provide training and bring new skills to the center. Students, teachers, health professionals, media workers, entertainers and other interested person's work in Ibdaa's existing programs, supporting the local staff and volunteers. International volunteers not only bring new expertise to Ibdaa's work in Palestine, they are also valuable members of the center's international network of supporters. Volunteers stay in the Ibdaa guesthouse and learn about the life in Dheisheh and in Palestine so they can educate their own communities upon returning.