OneVoice Blog, Empowering Israeli and Palestinian Citizens toward a Two State Solution

OVI honors its winners of 2018 contest

OneVoice Israel honored the 50 winners of its Imagine 2018 contest today in Tel Aviv, in partnership with Cinemathique's International Children's Film Festival.

The hall was packed with over than 250 people, including the winners, their families, OV staff and volunteers, as well as the Minister of Education Professor Yuli Tamir. Gilat Ankory led the ceremony, and Smadar Shir - a famous Israeli author - shared with the audience her experience as a young writer.

Professor Tamir spoke as well during the ceremony, and emphasized the importance of this project.

In addition, two representatives from OVP - Dalia Labadi and Nisreen Abdallah - were able to join the event. Nisreen read one of the winning Palestinian essays in Arabic, which was translated for the audience. We also gave the opportunity to one of the Israeli writers to read her story. It was very touching and moving.

The kids were very happy and exited about the ceremony and their families wanted to have more information about the movement.

Some media coverage:

http://www.nrg.co.il/online/5/ART1/792/109.html#5634269

http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/6/1351251

http://kidsfestival.cinema.co.il/magazin/magazin.asp?catid=1&magazinId=18

http://www.habama.co.il/Pages/Description.aspx?Subj=4&Area=4&ArticleID=7265

http://www.mynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3598282,00.html

http://mail.makif.omer.k12.il/forum/index.php?topic=202.0

http://makomakan.cet.ac.il/Article.aspx?ArticleID=7df48ef6-ec3c-4f5f-9116-91286f9e6fc2&Language=1&PublishedDate=25/09/2008%2008:46:52

http://bidur.index.co.il/siteFiles/1/23/314836.asp?gate_id=239892

Paul McCartney with the OV pin

Photo Credit: Reuters

Photo Credit: Jim Hollander / EPA

from his concert in Tel Aviv

Paul McCartney meets OneVoice Israel Youth Leaders

Ten OVI youth leaders and executive staff met today with Sir Paul McCartney in Tel Aviv. In support of the movement’s mission – to empower ordinary Israelis and Palestinians to push for peace and a two state solution – McCartney said he would wear a OneVoice pin on his lapel during his concert later this evening.

At the meeting with executive staff from OneVoice Israel and ten youth leaders, McCartney said, "My father told me that regular people don't like wars and don't want conflict. I'm not a politician – I just want to bring a message of peace. In every place I perform I see that people want the same thing."

Yesterday McCartney also made a trip to the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, bringing his message of peace to Palestine as well.

Irit Admoni Perlman, Chairwoman of OneVoice in Israel, said after the meeting today, "We are excited to meet Paul McCartney, both because of our admiration for him as an artist, and his honest work in advancing and disseminating the values of peace throughout the world. He helps us all retain our hope for better, more peaceful lives."

OneVoice youth leaders participate in the Global Interdependence youth summit

Jihad Fadda, 22 from Nablus, and Dalia Labadi, 24 from Ramallah both represented OneVoice Palestine, while Daniella Shlomi, 22 from Telaviv and Shlomi Haar 24 from Beer Sheva represented OneVoice Israel when they took part in an international gathering that brought together over 200 intellectuals and activists from all around the world.

OneVoice youth leaders marked the opening of the youth summit’s activities by carrying out its first session. Palestinian and Israeli OneVoice youth leaders all together explained OneVoice’s approach to end the conflict which is based on conflict resolution and active nonviolence skills.

Jihad Fadda and Daniella Shlomo also took part in a public panel on the 12th of September which also included Cornel West, Sonia Sanchez, Lord Frank Judd, and Lord Bhikhu Parekh. Dalia Labadi afterwards marked Interdependence day by reading the declaration of interdependence.

On the 13th of September, Shlomi Haar joined Benjamin Barber and other intellectuals and activists on a public panel as part of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue Festival.

Hitham Kayali from OneVoice Europe joined Benjamin Barber and Elizabeth Dameron on the closing ceremony’s panel. OneVoice was repeatedly mentioned and praised for its unique and effective work and approach in achieving peace. Almost all of those who publicly gave their feedback on the conference, specifically referred to OneVoice as an example to be followed anywhere around the world.

In memory of Professor Dan Bar-On

With great sadness, OneVoice mourns the passing of Professor Dan Bar-On of the Peace Research Institute in the Middle East. Professor Bar-On devoted his life to innovating, strengthening, and promoting new avenues for dialogue amidst conflict. The work of he and his partner, Sami Adwan, at PRIME contributed enormously to the cause of working toward a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians, and he will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends in this time of grief.

OV Europe: Leadership training sessions draw students from Glasgow to Nottingham

From August 30th-31st, OneVoice Europe held its first youth leadership training weekend of the year. held by OneVoice this year. Fourteen participants  from London, Manchester, Nottingham, Lincoln, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Coventry attended 13 hours of training on conflict resolution, OneVoice leadership skills and methods, strategic planning, and democracy as a tool for peace. The group was very interested and dynamic.

Some of the feedback we received: “I always thought that the Israeli Palestinian conflict was a hopeless case, I never saw any hope until being introduced to OneVoice and its approach. I want to be involved and think OneVoice’s model should be replicated in other conflict areas, such as my country: Somalia.”

OVE held a second training session with the Union of Jewish Students on Monday, 1st of September, on their second day of their training conference for representatives of the Jewish student societies from over 20 universities in the UK. As some of them already knew about OneVoice, our session focused more on how they are to present OV and argue in favor of a two state solution based on OV’s approach. The group was very interactive and are all eager to get OV activities on their campuses.

Through IEP, OV partners with wide range of groups

OneVoice's International Education Program (IEP) is kicking off its year of campus and community tours next week in Washington, DC and North Carolina. (click here for full press release and schedule of events)

The week's tour to DC-area and North Carolina schools and to Capitol Hill has been planned and organized in conjunction with a wide array of student and community organizations, including Jewish, Muslim, Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, interfaith, dialogue groups, and - of course - OneVoice's student chapters at each school.

A few of our partners:

Washington Hebrew Congregation
All Dulles Area Muslim Society
Busboys & Poets
Amnesty International (George Mason University)
Israel Society (Georgetown)
Students for Justice in Palestine (Georgetown)
Movement for Global Justice (American University)
Hillel (American University, Guilford, Elon, and UNCG)
Muslim Student Association (George Washington)

OV Brings its Message to Diplomats, Foreign Consulates

This past month OneVoice brought its message to a range of dignitaries and representatives from foreign consulates. OneVoice advanced Israeli and Palestinian youth leaders and staff, along with staff from OneVoice Europe, met in Jerusalem with representatives from the Canadian government, the European Commission, and the Swedish International Development Agency.

In addition, OVP organized several other meetings in Jenin, Nablus, and Ramallah, with  representatives from the German Development Corporation, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Swedish International Development Agency.

The objective of these meetings to inform the consulates and foreign institutions of the desire of young people to work toward a two state agreement, guaranteeing an end to the occupation and all forms of violence, and establishing a viable, independent Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel.

 

Common Ground features OV 2018 Essays

OV's longstanding friends and partners at Search for Common Ground are helping us promote some of the winning essays from our Imagine 2018 contest by publishing several in their weekly news service.

Take a look at those essays here, in the issues for 28 August, 4 September, and 11 September.

You can subscribe to receive Common Ground News here.

Ashoka launches Youth Social Entrepreneurship Competition

Our partners at Ashoka & ChangeMakers are launching a social entrepreneurship competition for youth. Check it out:

To some, you’re a HERO.  To others, you’re a LEADER.  To us, you’re a SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR.

That’s a fancy title for someone who’s finding innovative solutions for our planet, and changing the world for the better.  The secret to your success is not money or power, but creativity!

Staples, along with Ashoka’s Changemakers and Youth Venture, want to honor youth like you in our first global Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition.

Post your idea or project at Changemakers.net to get feedback, find supporters, win prizes, and even secure up to US$1,000 in funding to advance your project.

Tell us your story! http://changemakers.net/en-us/competition/staplesyv

NOMINATE. ENTER. COMMENT.
NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 15
Winners will be announced November 12th.

FOR NOMINATORS:

We all know one or two – young leaders who are changing their communities with brilliant, innovative ideas.

What they lack in money or power, they more than make up for with creativity.

Today, we call them social entrepreneurs.  They are a new source of hope for the 21st century world.

Staples, along with Ashoka’s Changemakers and Youth Venture, want to honor youth like them in our first global Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition. http://changemakers.net/en-us/competition/staplesyv

Tell us their story so they can enter to win prizes and even secure US$1,000 to advance their projects.

NOMINATE. ENTER. COMMENT.
NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 15
Winners will be announced November 12th.