AEI Activities

	AEI-Open Windows Activities Inter-religious dialogue between Bethlehem women and youth May 22, 2008 Formation of three mixed Moslem-Christian groups of 20 persons each, one women group and two groups of youth (15-22, 22-30 years). 2 sessions of each group: participants exchanging stories of hope related to their own experiences, and writing down their stories. 2 sessions: training in identifying stories/symbols of hope in the Moslem and Christian traditions. 2 sessions in which individual participants make drawings or symbolizations that fit their religious traditions and stories of hope, and during which they dialogue about their products. Editing the stories. Preparing an exhibition of 60 drawings/stories of hope. Putting the drawings/stories on the websites of AEI and partners. Festive opening of the exhibition on the Dialogue Night at AEI’s peace house.       On Thursday evening May 22, during the Euro-Mediterranean “dialogue night” organized by the Anna Lindh Foundation, AEI had the opening of the exhibit “Moslem and Christian Stories of Hope” in the Sumud Peace House near Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem. The action was part of the regional campaign "1001 Actions for Dialogue" launched by the Anna Lindh Foundation Dialogue between Cultures for the enhancement of peaceful coexistence and intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean area. The action was generated with the financial support of the Anna Lindh Foundation". The dialogue, in which the exhibit took part, was the climax of a great many cultural dialogue events in Europe and across the Mediterranean. The exhibit consists of stories and drawings made by Palestinian youth and women and is presented in eight panels over two different rooms in the House. Locally, the exhibit is one of a series of cultural activities designed to raise hope among the population in Bethlehem who are so much affected by the traveling restrictions and the building of the Wall, in particular in the Rachel's Tomb area. During the opening of the exhibit we had some 60 visitors, both local Palestinians and a number of internationals, including volunteers and monitors taking part in the initiative of the World Council of Churches, the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel. ______________ This action is part of the regional campaign "1001 Actions for Dialogue" launched by the Anna Lindh Foundation the Dialogue between Cultures for the enhancement of peaceful coexistence and intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean area. The action was generated with the financial support of the Anna Lindh Foundation