Cafes have
traditionally functioned as factories for ideas. It is likely that numerous
important decisions which have altered history were taken over a cup of tea or
coffee. Nowadays, the value of “being together” is rapidly changing as people
communicate more and more through new media. However, the practice of meeting
in a cafe has not died out; indeed, it has evolved with the appearance of
“topical” cafes.
To enhance
communication between people from different cultures and experiences in a
region in which information is often hindered, is one of the goals of the newly
established AICafè, a political café run by volunteers of the Alternative Information
Center.
The
AICafè is meant to foster political information, and to advance ideas, which
may start alternative ways of knowledge and communication in order to achieve
awareness in all spheres of daily life, such as politics, economics and
international issues.Without denying
the importance of the most important and significant cultural traditions, the
AICafè strives to promote change and to enhance new social and political
practices by creating a wide range of events and activities centred on dialogue
and mutual understanding.
In accordance
with the AIC though, which promotes responsible co-operation between
Palestinians and Israelis based on the values of social and political justice,
equality, solidarity and community involvement, the AICafè provides an open
space for local and international people to endorse a joint struggle for
Palestinian people rights, against Israeli policy of occupation.
The AICafè,
hosted in the AIC historic office building in the heart of Beit Sahour, holds
political material, guides, reports, the AIC’s numerous publications and a
library. The café serves primarily local and fairly traded products from the
area.
The AICafè is
starting a networking process with other political cafés around the world and
is currently linked with the Dutch political café Averechts in Utrecht (www.averechts.nl ).
Presentation by the people of 'The Freedom Theatre' in
Jenin
Using the arts as a model for social change, The Freedom Theatre is developing the only professional venue
for theatre and arts in the north of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The
aim of this project is to empower and give voice to the children of
Jenin Refugee Camp through a unique programme of workshops and
activities in theatre, supporting arts and multi-media, ranging in their
emphasis from the largely therapeutic and healing, to the presentation of
high-quality artistic products
Filmscreening: Paradise Now, a film by Hany Abu
Assad (2005)
Followed by time for discussion and
reflection
In Nablus on the West Bank, Said and Khaled, who
have volunteered to be suicide bombers, receive word it will be tomorrow - the
cell's first operation in two years. They're shaven and shorn, in black suits to
pose as settlers in Tel Aviv for a wedding
Short documentary films and talk by Suheir Ismael
- Farraj from TAM-Women Media & Development
TAM stands for ''Tanmiyet wa iAâlam al Mar’ah'', or
Women, Media & Development.
Through observation and research, a group of 7
Palestinian women and men, all social, women activists and media specialists,
realized that there was a lack of gender concerns in media and that women image
carried through media should be changed.
This week in the AICafe we have
a special program related to International
Women's Day on the 8th of March
Tuesday 4th of March,
7.30pm
Documentary film about 3 Palestinian
women, of different ages, places and backgrounds, who are nonetheless
connected by their power, independence and above all - their strong will to
create a change.
AICafe 
