On Saturday, June 17, 2023, the Mossawa Center hosted its first ever youth conference entitled “From the Youth to the Youth.” Over 80 youth attendees from across the region attended the event, representing more than 15 Palestinian Arab cities and towns, along with 12 youth panelists leading workshops for high school, gap year, and university students.
Panelists included activists and journalists from numerous backgrounds, representing a plethora of political and social movements. The panelists were Dr. Fahima Othman Abu Al-Haija, Wafa’a Touqan, Mina Alaa-Alddeen, Reem Nassar, Tariq Hammoud, Razi Tatour, Aleen Nasra, Sireen Jabareen, Shadi Nassar, Watan Madi, Wael Awwad, Hussein Hallaj, Ward Krakra, Ward Jarayse, Remah Mofeed and Amir al-Khatib.
Palestinian Arab Students in Universities: Challenges and Guidance
The conference included three workshops. The first workshop, titled “Palestinian Arab Students in Universities: Challenges and Guidance,” focused on addressing challenges that Palestinian Arab students face when applying to universities, during their academic careers at universities, and in terms of finding employment after graduation. Dr. Fahima Abu Al-Haija delivered a lecture to high school students and gap-year individuals, emphasizing the importance of personal development beyond the confines of academia and the cultivation of essential soft skills.
Dr. Abu Al-Haija shared valuable insights into the steps of career orientation, guiding the attendees towards a holistic approach to self-discovery. She highlighted the initial stage of introspection, wherein individuals must delve into their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and other pertinent aspects of their identity. Subsequently, she emphasized the significance of conducting a meticulous analysis of potential job opportunities within various fields, taking into account essential factors such as requirements and work atmosphere. The final step, according to Dr. Abu Al-Haija, involved aligning the outcomes of this comprehensive job analysis with one's self-study. By rearranging and integrating these crucial steps into their personal and professional growth journeys, the attendees were empowered to make well-informed decisions and forge successful paths aligned with their individual aspirations and abilities.
Wafa’a Touqan, who spoke with the university students, pointed out that “academic qualifications are no longer enough to stand out. We must develop our skills, adapt to technological advancements, and engage in continuous learning.” She also added that "as a minority, the experience and excellence we bring in our field can overcome barriers of racism. Continuous learning and critical thinking are fundamental qualities that we need to cultivate within our community.” Touqan encouraged university students to seek out any opportunity for professional experience and networking, giving them insights into useful tools for pursuing career opportunities.
Together for Change: The Role of Youth in Political and Social Activism and Combating Violence.
The second workshop was titled “Together for Change: The Role of Youth in Political and Social Activism and Combating Violence.” Participants were split into three groups: high school, gap year, and university students. The workshop for high school students was led by three high school students: Reem Nassar, Mina Alaa-Alddeen, and Tareq Hammoud. The workshop focused on the significance of social and political engagement within the school system, as well as understanding the authority and reach of student councils. Tareq Hammoud, Head of the National Arab Student Council, and Mina Alaa-Alddeen, Regional Secretary of the Communist Youth Union, shared their perspectives on these topics and discussed their experiences in volunteering and supporting Palestinian Arab student communities.
Reem Nassar highlighted the importance of inclusivity by sharing her work with Krembo Wings, a social-educational youth movement that provides weekly social activities for youth with all types of mental or physical disabilities together with their able-bodied peers.that connects youth with and without disabilities. Her efforts aimed to bridge the gap between communities and create equal opportunities, especially in Palestinian Arab localities where such services are severely lacking.
Overall, the speakers emphasized the necessity of actively participating in political life despite its challenging nature, as a means to effect positive change. The workshop successfully concluded by inspiring the attendees to take action in their communities and make a difference.
The workshop with gap year students was led by Reineh local council candidate Razi Tatour (the youngest candidate in the upcoming elections for the city), journalist and activist Sireen Jabareen, and university student and activist Aleen Nasra, where they discussed the important role of youth in political movements.
Razi Tatour eloquently addressed the issue of insufficient youth representation at decision-making tables, highlighting the disconnect between older generations and the voices of the youth. Tatour made a thought-provoking statement, asserting that a 70-year-old individual who fails to listen to the aspirations and concerns of the younger generation is ill-suited to lead a local council effectively.The collective insights of the panelists and the participants' experiences fostered a vibrant discussion, leading to a deeper understanding of the significance of youth engagement in social and political activism. The workshop served as a catalyst for encouraging the attendees to actively participate in shaping their communities and to develop strategies for creating an inclusive and effective platform that amplifies the voices of the youth
In the university students workshop, General Secretary of the National Communist Youth Union Shadi Nassar and Secretary of Hadash Students Group at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Wattan Madi spoke of the challenges that face Palestinian Arab political and activist groups on university campuses, their role in political and social activism, their role in empowering Palestinian Arab university students and their identity, and more.
“Arab youth today have an identity crisis. They are not able to define themselves and have trouble explaining the relationship between their identity and the political context they live in. Political and social activism at universities is critical to clarifying our identity and strengthening it. At the same time, joining political groups at universities increases the sense of volunteering and giving back to the community that is oftentimes missing from our community. It also increases the sense of belonging to our identity and community,” said Nassar.
During the workshop, one attendee shared their personal experience, shedding light on the challenges of organizing a youth movement within the constraints of local councils, which often prioritize certain interests over the well-being of the youth. The discussion that followed emphasized the pressing need to establish an independent youth movement, one that is dedicated to advocating for and advancing the interests of young people, free from external interference.
Madi emphasized the importance of political activism and consciousness among Palestinian Arab youth, highlighting the efforts of the Israeli government and university administrations to restrain the activity of Palestinian Arab students groups. “Politics is connected to every aspect of our lives, even the simplest ones. There is always a desire to neutralize our youth and prevent them from pursuing our rights,” she said, adding “we need to be aware of the attempts to deter us from political work. Although some may be discouraged, we should remain conscious."
Madi spoke of her personal experience with Ben-Gurion University’s administration when it attempted to stop the ceremony that Palestinian Arab students’ groups attempted to hold to commemorate the Nakba this year. “They try to censor many of the activities we do, even if they are cultural and unrelated to politics,” she said. After jumping through many hoops and bureaucratic obstacles, the ceremony took place. However, Madi found herself targeted by the university for her activism.
”I was called to a disciplinary hearing in front of a university committee because of the speech I gave [at the ceremony]. Many professors and faculty stood by me throughout the hearings and eventually I was cleared of any wrongdoing. Many people who go through this experience will never want to take part in political and social activities again,” Madi said as she described the incident.
Finally, Nassar emphasized that political and social activism on university campuses is not only crucial, but should not be looked down upon. “We need to break the stereotype that politically active students are academically unsuccessful. There are efforts to tarnish the image of politically engaged students,” he said. “As university students, we have a unique role in society. The university environment provides a platform for diverse issues and becomes a focal point for addressing our community's concerns,” Nassar stated.
The Role of the Media in Youth Activism
The third workshop, titled “The Role of the Media in Youth Activism,” focused on how the media can increase the effectiveness and reach of youth activism. In the workshop conducted for high school students, led by journalist and activist Ward Karakra, media professional Wael Awwad, and activist Hussien Hallaj, the focus was on the influence of the media on youth political views. They raised the question of whether social media is the primary source for forming political opinions among the youth and its risks. Additionally, they highlighted the challenge faced by small Palestinian Arab media organizations due to the substantial funding that Hebrew media receives, which promotes Zionist agendas and works to “strip” the youth of their Palestinian Arabic identity. Emphasizing the importance of preserving Arabic language and culture, Wael Awwad underscored the need for Palestinian Arabs to stay connected to their heritage.
The workshop further emphasized the significance of taking ownership of socio-political issues and not relying on external solutions. Intensive volunteerism was advocated as a means to create positive change. To encourage practical engagement, participants were divided into groups and assigned the task of finding media-based solutions for community problems. One group proposed the creation of a podcast to raise awareness about the impact of violence and crime on the mental health of Palestinian Arabs in their communities.
Producer and marketing expert Ward Jaraysi led an engaging workshop with gap year students, where he provided insightful guidance on the process of creating a compelling Political-Social media campaign. Jaraysi not only explained the essential steps involved but also offered practical instructions on how to develop a strong visual identity and emphasized its significance for an effective campaign.
To encourage hands-on learning, the workshop was divided into sub-groups, allowing each group to brainstorm and propose innovative ideas for media campaigns addressing social or political issues. Within their respective groups, participants were tasked with designing a logo and crafting a memorable slogan that aligned with the campaign's core message. This practical exercise empowered the students to apply their creative thinking and strategic skills to make a meaningful impact through their campaigns.
University students participated in a workshop with TV presenter and correspondent Amir al-Khatib and journalist Remah Mofeed, who explained how Palestinian Arab university students and groups can engage with the press and media to make their voice heard. al-Khatib explained that “we need to know how to tell a story about what happens on our university campuses.”
al-Khatib and Mofeed also highlighted the disparity between the Arabic and Hebrew press, with Mofeed stating that “Hebrew media completely ignore us,” adding that “the disparity between Arabic and Hebrew press is because to the power dynamics that exist due to the fact that the Hebrew press is backed by the state. The Hebrew press not only has more resources, but has more access to resources outside their own industry.”
al-Khatib added that we must empower Arabic media as “one of the main problems with the relationship between Arabic and Hebrew press is that the Hebrew press creates the news and the Arabic press consumes the news.” Participants agreed with the points raised by the speakers and expressed their desire to increase their work with the Arabic press and media, especially when it comes to their activities on campus.
The conference concluded with a lunch and musical performance by artist Sohail Foudi and pianist Adham Qashash.
Conclusion
This first of its kind conference aimed to bring together youth and youth groups from across the region to share their experiences and ideas with each other, and develop new strategies and avenues for social and political activism through various frameworks within schools, in Palestinian Arab neighborhoods and localities, and in universities.
The Mossawa Center’s goal for the conference was to provide a platform for different youth activists and groups to discuss issues and challenges facing Palestinian Arab youth in Israel, connect with other youth groups and activists, and begin the process of building synergies between the different parts of Palestinian Arab youth in the social and political sphere.
The Mossawa Center will follow up with the participants and speakers of the conference in the coming months to continue developing synergies and work plans for social and political activities led by youth in Palestinian Arab localities. The Mossawa Center also plans to hold similar conferences in the future.
