PROFESSOR HASSASSIAN, THE PALESTINIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
SUPPORTS OUR "NOBLE MISSION"
Professor Hassassian, the Ambassador of Palestine to the U.K. has given Children
of Peace his full support for our conflict resolution message and our work to protect
all children in Israel & Palestine regardless of their background, culture, faith
or gender.
The Trustees of Children of Peace are truly honoured to receive his personal support
and are delighted that he has also kindly agreed to become a Friend of the charity.
The Ambassador states that...
"It gives me a great honour to support Children of Peace, an organization that works
to alleviate the misery of children and which hopes to lay the foundations of reconciliation,
harmony and peace by striving to create an environment for coexistence, cohabitation
and conviviality between Palestinians and Israelis. I wish them all the success in
their noble mission of securing peace for all."
Professor Manuel Hassassian is a Professor of International Politics and Relations.
He is currently the Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University. His areas of
specialization are: Comparative Politics with emphasis on Middle East Politics and
Armenian Nationalist Movement and Political theory. He is published in both areas
extensively, and his latest books are: "Palestine: Factionalism In the National Movement
1919-1939", (English) and "The Historical Evolution of the Armenian Question and
the Conflict over Nagorno Karabagh" (English) "Citizenship in the Middle East" published
by Syracuse University Press (2000). He has published extensively in academic Journals
domestically regionally and internationally on the PLO, the Peace Process, Democracy
and Elections, Refugees and Civil Society in Palestine.
The Professor is a member of the editorial board of the Arab Political Science Journal
as well as the Palestine-Israel Journal, in addition he was editor in Chief of Bethlehem
University Journal. Professor Hassassian is a board member of the Center of Non-Violence
in Palestine, also he is a member of the Arab Association for Human Rights.
He was appointed by the PA to the General Secretary of the Bethlehem District Elections
commission 1996. Furthermore, he had been appointed Consultant to the Palestinian
Ministerial Higher Commission on Church Affairs. He had been participating in many
IInd Track diplomacy, and had been visiting scholar to many American universities,
lecturing on Models and Practices of Conflict Resolution and Management. In September
1996, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the "Universite de Reims", France
for his academic contributions in the field of political science.
Professor Hassassian is the head of the Jerusalem Task Force in the Negotiations
Affairs department. He is the President of the Rectors' Conference at the Palestinian
Ministry of Higher Education. He is also the president of the Palestinian/European
Academic Cooperation in Education (PEACE) since 2001, (Location: UNESCO - PARIS).
MATT LUCAS, PHILIP GLENISTER
& AMELIA QUINLAN BECOME
FRIENDS OF CHILDREN OF PEACE
‘Little Britain’ star Matt Lucas and ‘Ashes to Ashes’ lead actor Philip Glenister,
join long term supporter of the charity - Amelia Quinlan - as Friends of Children
of Peace.
The Trustees are delighted to welcome our three new Friends of the charity - all
of whom strongly endorse our message of peace. Their participation helps the charity
to raise awareness of the plight of children in Israel and Palestine and of the ground
breaking work that we do in building a coalition of peace in the region.
On the reasons why he supports our work, Matt Lucas says:
"I have no hesitation in putting my full support behind Children of Peace. Few organisations
have highlighted the need to protect every child in Israel & Palestine, regardless
of their faith, gender or background. Generations of children - both Israeli & Palestinian
- have paid a high price for the conflict and we must recognise that they suffer
worrying levels of morbidity, disability and trauma, on all sides.
The non-partisan, conflict resolution message of Children of Peace is finally being
heard, as support grows worldwide and as more and more groups from Gaza, Israel,
the West Bank and Jordan join in their unique coalition of peace.
It is a message of peace that I hope all of us will listen too, if change is going
to happen."
Philip Glenister explains why he, too is an ardent supporter of our conflict resolution
message:
"I am delighted to give my full support to Children of Peace. The Israeli-Palestinian
conflict has affected successive generations of children on both sides who have endured
the repeat cycle of insecurity, violence and fear. It's time to find a new way to
peace and Children of Peace offers that chance. By bringing grassroots groups together
from right across the region they are helping the give the next generation real hope.
I wish them every success and I am proud to be a part of their message of peace."
Amelia Quinlan has long been a dedicated and generous supporter of our work and by
inviting her to become a Friend of Children of Peace, we salute her commitment and
kindness over many years.
All three are joined by Professor Hassassian, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United
Kingdom, who has kindly agreed to become a Friend of the charity.
PALESTINIAN GOODWILL AMBASSADOR BASSAM ARAMIN PRESENTS CHILDREN OF PEACE AWARD TO
ONE PALESTINIAN AND ONE ISRAELI GIRL
ANNUAL GIRLS' BURSARY HONOURS ABIR ARAMIN
The Trustees have selected the two recipients of the annual Abir Aramin Girls' Bursary
which was established in loving memory of Abir Aramin - the daughter of Children
of Peace Goodwill Ambassador, Bassam Aramin.
The successful candidates for 2009 are a Palestinian girl Sahar Abed Hamed Shalaldeh
from Hebron and an Israeli girl Dejitnu Wassie from Sderot.
Each year Children of Peace selects one Israeli girl and one Palestinian girl to
receive the Bursary, to assist them in their educational studies by assisting the
family or by purchasing much needed equipment or resources such as a personal computer,
books, sports equipment or study material.
Bassam Aramin meets Sahar in Hebron
Sahar was thrilled to receive her award and she told us:
"Dear All,
I would like to thank you all for your help and support to me, thank you for drawing
a smile on my lips.
I am sure that we can together make peace, we are the future and the hope of our
both people in Palestine and Israel.
Deeply from my heart thank you again, my best wishes to all the children around the
world and specially in Palestine and Israel, Iam sure that your efforts to promote
peace will not lost."
Sahar Abed Shalaldeh
Bassam Aramin met both girls in Sderot, Israel and in Hebron, West Bank and presented
them with their award.
Bassam Aramin meets Dejitnu in Sderot
The Bursary is in loving memory of Bassam’s ten year old Abir Aramin died tragically
in January 2007, during a school break in East Jerusalem when she was caught up in
a fire-fight between members of the IDF and Palestinian youth.
Children of Peace will honour her memory annually through this award.
STAND UP FOR PEACE - AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS
Leading Stand Up Paul Foot on stage at Stand Up for Peace
Leading UK stand-up comedians played to a full house at the first major benefit Event
for Children of Peace in 2009 raising a significant sum of money, in what turned
out to be a hilarious and thought provoking evening's entertainment.
Around 170 guests were entertained by the glittering line-up that included the edgy,
irreverent humour of Paul Foot, Simon Munnery, the Aspidistras - Maria Hodson & Gerardine
Coyne, Pippa Evans, Dan Skinner, Kevin Eldon & Josh Howie. The show was superbly
compered by Richard Morris - currently the warm-up act for Ricky Gervais.
Pippa Evans at Stand Up for Peace
Stand Up for Peace marks the start of our Events Season and its success is testimony
to the hard work and commitment of our Events Committee who organised everything
to the last detail, ensuring a smooth running and entertaining evening for our many
guests and supporters.
The Trustees are grateful for all the Stand Up comedians who gave their time for
free, enabling us to devote more funds to assist a number of organisations in Gaza,
Israel and the West Bank.
NEW AFFILIATE JOINS CHILDREN OF PEACE
THE PEACE PRE-SCHOOL AT THE YMCA, JERUSALEM
In this article, Jerad Zimmerman of the Peace PreSchool at the YMCA, Jerusalem outlines
how their groundbreaking work aims to build friendship and trust between children
from all communities from a very young age:
"The Jerusalem International YMCA Peace Preschool brings together Christian, Muslim
and Jewish children by embracing the aims of the YMCA and it's educational philosophy
which is child-centred, emphasises flexibility, freedom of choice, self-experience,
and self-expression. Teachers respect each child's needs and individuality and highly
encourage creativity.
The children benefit from the special atmosphere of dignity and respect which permeates
the entire institution and helps create an ambience of peace.
The goals of the Preschool are:
To provide a high-quality preschool education which stimulates children intellectually,
emotionally, socially and physically in the tradition of the YMCA ideals of balanced
spirit, mind and body.
To facilitate coexistence between Muslims and Jews on a daily, ongoing basis as a
normal part of life for children and their families.
To expose the children to the Other and to the Other's culture, language and religion,
enabling the development of tolerance and understanding while preserving the distinct
characteristics of each child and their cultural identity. This is not a "melting
pot" model but an attempt to create a coexistence of diversities.
We see our goals and approach to be extremely similar to Children of Peace and it
seems natural to work together towards our common goal."
TEAM CHILDREN OF PEACE 2009 10K LONDON RUN
Please support Our team
Sports Coordinator Dominic Martin and Team Member Maria Hodson
In the coming weeks 13 members of Team Children of Peace will be training hard to
raise money for our charity by entering the July 12th 10K London run.
Please sponsor one of the runners or the whole team. Do look out for our publicity
reminders in the coming days.
The ninth annual ASICS British 10K London Run starts out from Hyde Park Corner. The
route will take runners past or near central London's historic and iconic landmarks,
including the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham
Palace, Tower Bridge and Tate Modern.
Taking part are Olympic athletes and celebrities from stage and screen, as well as
tens of thousands of fun and recreational runners who will raise over a million pounds
for the hundreds of participating charities and other causes. Over 25,000 runners
entered this great event last year and we were truly grateful to more than 80 Friends,
Supporters and Colleagues of Children of Peace who have helped our hard working team
to raise over £5000 to help the children in Israel and Palestine.
To donate in support of our young team, please send your donations to:
By cheque, marked Children of Peace to: Children of Peace, Suite 3B, Falmer Court,
London Road, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1HN
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SPONSOR TEAM CHILDREN OF PEACE,
PLEASE CONTACT DOMINIC MARTIN, OUR SPORTS COORDINATOR dgamartin@childrenofpeace.org.uk
AMERICAN FUND FOR CHARITIES CHOOSES CHILDREN OF PEACE AS FEATURED CHARITY
The American Fund for Charities has chosen Children of Peace as their featured charity
on the Home Page of their re-launched and redesigned website.
We are really honoured to have been selected as the first charity to be so featured
by this leading organisation.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
THE CORK STREET OPEN EXHIBITION
PRIVATE VIEW
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: August 5th 2009
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EXCITING EVENT!
During 2009, the Children of Peace Events Committee has planned a series of exciting
events in the UK aimed at raising awareness of our work and helping to raise funds
for the charity.
These include our Annual London Run in July, a performance of the All the World's
a Stage at the Ludlow Festival, Shropshire on June 20th 2009, our Stand Up for Peace
comedy night on 23rd May, Professor Sarah Brown's Israeli and Palestinian poetry
reading at Anglia University and the Cork Street Open Exhibition which kicks off
with a Private View on 5th August 2009.
ARTISTS can submit work to the selection panel of the Cork Street Open Exhibition
and a percentage of sales will go to Children of Peace. The work is of an extraordinarily
high standard and includes paintings, photography and sculpture at one of London's
most prestigious art venues.
SUPPORTERS and ART LOVERS can attend the glittering, chic Private View on 5th August
alongside many of our supporters, including notable public figures. You can apply
for tickets - £35 for couples and £20 for single applicants - by going direct to
the organiser's site:
Please SUPPORT this great Event and if you are unable to attend, don't forget you
can still donate to Children of Peace through our safe and secure Pay Pal Account
found on this site on the DONATE PAGE.
LOOK OUT IN THE COMING WEEKS FOR CHILDREN OF PEACE EVENTS THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT!
