2010-2011 A.M. Qattan Foundation Annual Report by Qattan Foundation

Contents Introduction

Introduction by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Keeping the Flame of Hope Alight: Omar Al-Qattan

Adamant about a Better Future: Ziad Khalaf

The Financial Report

The Culture and Arts Programme

Expansion and New Challenges: Mahmoud Abu Hashhash

The Arts and Literature Unit

The Audio Visual Unit

Gaza Music School

The Mosaic Rooms

Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

Exploring the Possibilities: Wasim Kurdi

Arts and Education

Science and Technology

Languages and Social Sciences

Supporting Programmes

Qattan Centre for the Child, Gaza

Gaza Children: Reem Abu Jaber

New Partnerships and A Variety of Events

Outreach Services and the Family Literacy Project

Childish Reflections

Resource Development

Resource Development Policy and Procedures: Nida Tawil/ Disi

The Foundation’s Team

The Audited Financial Statements

‫ يف لنذن‬2011 »‫ من معر�ض امل�صمم عمر يو�سف نا�صر خوري «�شهذاء خيط احلرير‬:‫�صورة الغالف باالجنليزية‬ 2

(English cover) From Silk Thread Martyrs, by fashion designer Omar Joseph Nasser Khoury, London 2011

Chairman’s Introduction

Keeping the Flame of Hope Alight Did the Arab youth really rebel using peaceful and enlightened ‘cultural’ weapons?

I would like to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all the Foundation’s staff for their contributions towards the success of its various programmes during the past year. However, I also take this opportunity to ask them a question which I hope they will consider as a challenge for the future: how can we convert the high quality programmes that we undertake into tools for change and influence in society, in order to improve the living conditions, as well as the intellectual and spiritual climate, in which the citizens of Palestine and the Arab world live? I ask this question because I fear that we might isolate ourselves far away from our society’s concerns and lose both our connection to it and our ability to influence it positively in the fields of culture and education. For what value then would high quality programmes have, if their effect were limited to a numbered few? This is a question that I ask myself all the time and which I invite members of our Foundation to address as one of our highest priorities. I also invite our friends, collaborators and beneficiaries to challenge us with this question at every turn.

Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan

Since its beginnings, the A.M. Qattan Foundation has supported the educational and cultural development of children and youth in an attempt to give a new generation the confidence and tools necessary to change their realities in rational and peaceful ways that enhance their pride and self-esteem rather than lead them to engage in self-destructive activities. It is true that the Arab revolt did not take place in Palestine (and it is important for us to ask why not); that its results are still uncertain and worrying; and that the hopeful energy of the Tunisian then the Egyptian revolts was quickly overshadowed by the bloody events in Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria. It is also possible that those same youth, who came out so bravely and spontaneously to change their region’s destiny, could just as easily be swept aside if the politicians and generals are able to take matter into their hands once again. Yet what is certain is that no future political project for the region will henceforth be feasible if youth are not its central priority. For they represent the absolute majority of the population, are its most dynamic group and the one most capable of mobilising for change, while also being its neediest. The question now, however, is: will they be recruited for a violent and obscurantist project or will they instead be allowed to build a prosperous future for their region?

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

In view of these difficulties and uncertainties, it seems imperative to us at the A.M. Qattan Foundation that we continue our focus on children and youth above all other groups, as we have done since inception, with a view to providing the most effective tools to confront these new challenges: access to knowledge, freedom of expression, and opportunities for creative endeavour and raising self-confidence. In this spirit, we are delighted that during the past year we launched the Walid and Helen Kattan Science Education Project, a five year investment programme in science teaching in Palestine’s schools, generously funded by Walid Kattan, to whom we extend our sincerest thanks. In addition, we have completed our field study of the cultural scene in Lebanon’s refugee camps in anticipation of our forthcoming funding programme there. We have also extended our outreach in the Gaza Strip with the refurbishment of Al Maghazi Community Rehabilitation Society’s children’s library, in cooperation with the Drosos Foundation in Switzerland, as well as expanding the capacity of the Gaza Music School. Last but not least, this year has seen a significant expansion of our cultural programme from the Arab world at the Mosaic Rooms, the Foundation’s arts centre in London. We hope that all these efforts will contribute in some way to keeping the flame of hope alight.

Omar Al-Qattan Secretary of the Board of Trustees 4

Financial Report

Adamant about a Better Future

Revenues and Expenditures

The A.M. Qattan Foundation adds another year to its youthful life, capping it with accomplishments in Palestine and abroad, especially in London. These accomplishments have left an impact not only on our partners, including teachers, creators and children, but also on all those involved with the Foundation, including members of the Board of Trustees and the Foundation’s employees. On this occasion, reference must be made to the most important factors that have contributed to realising these accomplishments. Chief among them were clarity of vision; precise setting of objectives; continued stability of self-funding; diligence and perseverance of the Foundation’s staff who were provided with new experiences; and the increasing credibility of the Foundation’s work on both the internal and external levels. This increasing credibility has significantly impacted our decision to expand the Foundation’s programmatic activities and projects and contributed to the notable successes we have achieved in attracting unconditional external co-funding. We continued this year, through a consultative process, to review and develop all institutional policies and procedures, leading to approval of the Foundation’s new organizational structure, salary scale and several other new policy documents. In terms of resource development, a new policy was developed and several successes in attracting external funding were recorded this year, leading to the launch of new projects within the Foundation’s programmatic scopes of work and the expansion of existing activities implemented under these programmes. The Foundation has entered into twenty co-funding agreements to the value of more than $1.8 million in total. We will strive in the coming period to consolidate relations with our existing partners for the sake of building long-term strategic partnerships while continuing to identify new partners. I would like hereby to express gratitude and appreciation to all our partners. The Foundation will keep aspiring to a better future in spite of the difficult circumstances and enormous challenges that face Palestinian society in the foreseeable future. This will require more perseverance and increased efficiency, while we will remain vigilant to the challenges and opportunities posed by the process of change in the Arab world on the Palestinian reality. In the coming year, we will continue to work on developing systems for evaluating programmes; we will design a new building for the Foundation in Ramallah; and we will complete our surveys of cultural and artistic initiatives in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, which will form the foundation for launching a programme to support such initiatives there.

Ziad Khalaf Executive Director

The Foundation’s total revenues for the year ending 31 March 2011 amounted to £2,289,024. Of this, £1,558,527 was underwritten by the Al-Qattan Charitable Trust. Total external contributions for co-funded projects amounted to £648,897. The Mosaic Rooms’ income amounted to £64,120, and a further £17,480 came from other sources.

‫‏‬Revenues for the year ending 31 March 2011

Al-Qattan Charitable Trust

The Mosaic Rooms - London

£ 1,558,527

External Funding

£ 64,120

Other Income

£ 648,897

£ 17,480

Total £ 2,289,024

Al-Qattan Charitable Trust 68% External Funding 28% The Mosaic Rooms 3% Other Income 1%

The Foundation’s total expenditures amounted to £2,789,080 of which £152,413 were expended on fixed assets and £2,636,667 on programmes and administrative expenses. Programmes’ expenses for the year ending 31 March 2011 Administration Qattan Centre for Educational Qattan Centre for the Research and Development Child £ 309,175

£ 632,052

£ 871,570

Culture and Arts Programme £ 819.595

Other £ 4,275

Total £ 2.636.667

Qattan Centre for the Child 33% Culture and Arts Programme 31% Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development 24% Administration 12% Other 1%

The A.M. Qattan Foundation Net Assets The balance of net assets at the end of the current year came to £2,834,500, of which £2,814,341 were restricted net assets, and £20,159 unrestricted. The Foundation’s accounts have been audited by “PricewaterhouseCoopers” in Palestine and by “Kingston Smith” in the United Kingdom.

Serving Culture and Education in Palestine and the Arab World

Bashar Idkaidek Director of Finance

The A.M. Qattan Foundation was founded and registered in the United Kingdom in 1993. It has been working towards the development of culture and education, with a particular focus on children, teachers and young artists through three main programmes: the Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development, the Qattan Centre for the Child, and the Culture and Arts Programme.

Revenues and expenditures in Sterling Pounds

Total Expenditures Total Revenues

Culture and Arts Programme

Expansion and New Challenges The Programme has continued to support young artists and writers, helping them develop their abilities and opening up new prospects for their professional and creative development. It has also continued to support the production of new performing, visual and literary works and to organise dozens of art and literary events, including numerous festivals. In the meantime, this reporting period was characterised by a significant upgrade of the programme’s administrative capacity, including completing the recruitment process to meet the needs resulting from incorporation of the audio-visual unit, the Gaza Music School and the Mosaic Rooms into the Programme’s scope.

There is no doubt that the existence of a project such as the Gaza Music School in an area that has been languishing under cruel siege for years makes it difficult for the Programme’s management to follow up work there directly and to meet the needs for developing this important pioneering project. This poses a major challenge for the Culture and Arts Programme and deprives this project of the potential for developing at a faster pace at the academic, administrative and logistical levels. Nonetheless, with the commitment of its staff, particularly music trainers, the passion of its students and their parents, and the support of many in Palestine and around the world, this project is able, day after day, to overcome those difficulties, invent alternative solutions and methods of operation, impose its presence and underscore its importance in the field of music education, thus contributing to a more sustainable and vibrant music scene in the Gaza Strip. The Programme was successfully able to launch the Production Support Project, attract numerous serious contributions, work with independent professional jurors and provide financial support for several short feature films. The Project continues to tackle the main difficulty of acquiring cinema equipment and bringing it into Palestine. The main challenge in the future will be ensuring maximum utilisation of such equipment locally, in a country fragmented by barriers and arbitrary security measures.

1. ‫‏‬Cover of the “Silence” CD by the late musician Mohsen Subhi

The accomplishments of the Mosaic Rooms over the past year, as a result of the efforts of their artistic and administrative staff, are commendable and highly valued. This space has become a real hub of contemporary Arab culture in London.

Mahmoud Abu Hashhash

Director of the Culture and Arts Programme

The Arts and Literature Unit Performing Arts The Qattan Fund for Developing Performing Arts in Palestine A third round of grants was announced under the Project for Developing Performing Arts in Palestine in partnership with the Ford Foundation. The Programme received 76 applications in the various areas of the grant, and expects to approve new grants worth $180,000.

1. ‫‏‬Lines” exhibition by Issa Abdallah, Young Artist Award 2010 2. ‫“‏‬In the Park” performance carried out by students of the Performing Arts Summer School during the Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival 2010

Study Grants During the academic year 2010/2011, the Programme provided 17 scholarships for male and female students to study theatre, music, dance and other performing arts at specialised institutes in various Arab and foreign countries. This included 11 scholarships to music students and six scholarships to other performing arts students. The Programme also provided a scholarship in the field of visual arts for a student in the Curatorial Studies programme at Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm, Sweden. Support for Performing Arts Activities The Programme supported the organisation of 70 performances, including musical, theatrical and dance performances, festivals and workshops in Palestine and abroad. Performing Arts Summer School (PASS) The programme organized the sixth round of the PASS in Birzeit town, north of Ramallah, in partnership with the Royal Flemish Theatre (KVS). The session focused on play 11

1. ‫‏‬The “Sins” play by the Popular Theatre, produced by support of the Performing Arts Development Project 2010 2. From the Young Artist of the Year 2010 at Al Mahatta Gallery, Ramallah

writing. Several new young writers were joined by a group of participants from the previous PASS sessions. They presented theatrical readings of texts in progress under the supervision of French-Algerian writer Mohamed Kacimi, director Bart Danckaert and dramaturge Hildegard De Vuyst. At the end of the session, six theatrical texts were presented before the public.

Visual Arts Young Artist of the Year 2010 (The Hassan Hourani Award) The Programme organised the final phase of the Young Artist of the Year Award 2010 under the supervision of artist and curator Nicola Gray. Eleven artists participated in this sixth round of the competition. The jury awarded first prize to Tarzan and Arab (Ahmad and Mohammad Abu Nasser, Gaza) for their work “Gazawood”, second prize to Abdallah Al Ruzzi (Gaza) for his art work “Germ”, while third prize was jointly awarded to Ayed Arafah (Bethlehem) for his art work “Sea Package” and Jumana Manna’ (Jerusalem) for her work “Cast out of Your Tomb”. Ismail Shammout Prize Palestinian American artist and graphic designer Rajie Cook won the Ismail Shammout Prize for the year 2010, for his entire life accomplishment in art, especially his important contributions in the field of graphic design. Support for art exhibitions and workshops The Programme contributed to supporting and organising 17 art exhibitions and activities in Palestine and abroad. Among the artists supported were Ali Sheikh Ahmad, Salem Awad (Gaza), Basma Al-Sharif (Beirut), Maj Hasager (Denmark) and Helen De Main (Scotland). The Programme also supported a specialised workshop in jewellry design under the supervision of artists Neddah Al-Asmar (Palestine /Belgium) and Jesbert Stakh (Germany) at Dar Al-Kalima College in Bethlehem.

1. ‫‏‬Cover of the “Halat” music album by Jameel Al Sayeh 2. ‫‏‬Cover of a music album by Wisam Murad 3. ‫‏‬Scene from the “Flowers Seller” film by Ihab Jadallah

Art Residencies Three artists joined the International City of Arts Residency Programme in Paris (in partnership with the Welfare Association, the Consulate General of France in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Ministry of Culture). These were Raed Issa (Gaza), Munther Jawabreh (Al-Arroub Refugee Camp, Hebron) and Suheil Salem (Gaza). Under a grant presented by Paris Municipality in partnership with A.M. Qattan Foundation and the Consulate General of France in Jeruslaem, filmmaker Mohanad Yaqubi (Ramallah), writer Dalia Taha (Ramallah) and musician Wasim Qassis (Bethlehem) undertook a six month residency in the International City of Arts in Paris. Further, artist Inas Yassin (Ramallah), who was nominated and supported by the Foundation, joined the residency of the University of Ideas (UNIDEE) at Pistoletto Foundation in Biella, Italy. The Programme also supported other art residencies.

Literature Young Writer of the Year Award 2010 - Poetry and Short Story The Programme organised the Young Writer of the Year Award 2010 in the fields of poetry and short story. The jury awarded first prize to the poetry collection “Liwa” by Asmaa’ Azaizeh (Dabburieh, Nazareth), and second prize was awarded jointly to Saleem Albeik (Galilee/ Abu Dhabi) for his collection of short stories “Cherries, or Red Fruit for the Cheesecake” and Isra’ Kalash (Jenin) for her short story collection “Typographical Mistake”. The jury recommended publication of these two winning entries. Literary Events The Programme supported nine literary events including two literary conferences: one at Hebron University on “Post-Oslo Palestinian Literature” and the other at Bethlehem University on “Palestinian Literature before the Nakba”. The programme also supported the Palestine Literary Festival (PalFest). 13

Narrating Gaza website An independent editorial committee manages this site (www. narratinggaza.ps), which was launched by the Programme in the wake of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip in the winter of 2008-2009. Written and visual materials are uploaded on this website regularly, making it lively and capable of attracting regular new contributions.

The Audio Visual Unit

1. Cover of Raising Dust, book by Nicholas Rowe

The Production Support Project Under the Production Support Project (PSP), launched with co-funding from the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and upon the recommendation of a specialised jury, the Foundation made three production grants to three short feature films: “The Well” by Ahmad Habash (Ramallah), “The Flower Seller “ by Ihab Jadallah (Jerusalem) and “Haneen” by Ossama Bawardi (Nazareth). The first two films were launched at a special ceremony at Al-Kasaba Theatre and Cinematheque in Ramallah, while the third film is still under production. The Foundation was able to acquire a professional film grip equipment unit and is currently working on acquiring a lighting unit.

The Gaza Music School On September 1 2010, the Gaza Music School (GMS) started a new academic semester, bringing the number of students to 87 with seven different musical instruments being taught. The trumpet and the cello were added to the GMS’ music training programme, while its premises were expanded to accommodate the growing number of students and increasing demand for its services. Furthermore, dozens of new musical instruments were procured, while several others were donated by local and foreign institutions, especially Music Fund in Belgium. Meanwhile, the GMS continued to organise musical events for a diverse audience in Gaza.

Publications The Culture and Arts Programme Document This details the work of the Culture and Arts Programme and its interventions in various fields: visual arts, performing arts, literature and audio-visual arts. It reflects the joining of the Gaza Music School Project and the Mosaic Rooms in London. Raising Dust The Culture and Arts Programme supported the publication of “Raising Dust” by Nicholas Rowe, (I.B. Tauris, London). The book traces one dancer’s journey into Palestine’s past and present. Through historical archives, the memories of dancers of yesteryear and of today’s vibrant performing arts scene, Rowe shares a vision of the Occupied Palestinian Territories that is often hidden by tragic news headlines. During tumultuous times dance has acted as a barometer of social change, a forum for debate and means of expressing forbidden ideas. Far from apolitical, this most physical of art forms has often defined the political mood of the day.

Guest House The Programme hosted 21 guests at the Foundation’s guest house, mostly international artists who came to Palestine to work on a range of projects.

Success Story Mahmoud Imad Kheil Mahmoud joined the Gaza Music School’s first class in 2008 when he was only six years old. Since early childhood, he displayed a strong affection for music, catching his father’s attention when he started playing on kitchen utensils and showing an excellent musical ear. His father, an amateur oud player, tried to develop his son’s talent as much as he could within the walls of their house, and rushed to enrol him at the GMS as soon as it opened its doors. At the school, Mahmoud chose to learn to play the qanoun under the instruction of Ibrahim Najjar, who is also the School’s academic coordinator. He has shown great talent for the instrument and is fulfilling his passion for learning music with unrivaled enthusiasm. He travels from his home in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City to arrive punctually for his lessons. He has gone on to win first place in his age group at the Oriental Music Category in the Palestinian National Competition, organised by the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. Mahmoud takes part in every musical evening organised by the School through solo or group playing. He is invited to various celebrations and other events to play solo pieces on the qanoun, thereby contributing to the promotion of musical life in Gaza. Mahmoud aspires to a career in this field, hoping to become an important musician and renowned qanoun player at home and abroad. 15

The Mosaic Rooms

With the beginning of the reporting period, a number of administrative changes came into effect as a result of the Foundation’s strategic review. These saw The Mosaic Rooms become part of the Culture and Arts Programme and all administrative and financial matters relating to the Foundation’s activities in the UK fall under the supervision of the Palestine office. As a consequence of these changes, a new administrative and reporting structure was put in place with a view to greater integration between the UK and Palestine. Several goals were also identified and budgeted for, including an improved public relations policy, an updated and modernised website and an enlarged staff. The aim was to raise our public profile, professionalise our programming procedures and significantly increase income through better advertising and commercialisation of the space.

At the beginning of September 2010, a new Head of Programming and Logistics, Rachael Hornsby, was appointed to help realise these goals. Since then a significant amount has been achieved on several fronts, including the appointment of a public relations advisor leading to much greater press coverage and improved attendance at exhibitions and events; the implementation of a rich and busy programme and better forward planning; marked improvements in requests for information and rental prices for the rooms (though this has yet to be reflected in increased uptake as the recession continues to bite in the UK); and finally, much smoother day-to-day operations. A new website was also fully launched in January with a revamped newsletter. Another significant addition to the Rooms was the opening of our new bookshop which has been a small success story and has made the reception space significantly more attractive. We now feel well equipped to achieve our strategic goal of making The Mosaic Rooms the most exciting hub of Arab culture in London.

Rachael Hornsby & Omar Al-Qattan

1. ‘Untitled’, 2010 by Bashar Hroub, photography 2. ‘Painkillers’ by Majd Abdel Hameed, pills, carton and white paint 3. The Libyan author Hisham Matar in conversation with Omar Al-Qattan 4. Mona Saudi’s exhibition Poetic Inspirations

Principal activities during the period In the Visual Arts • Bashar Hroub, Reflective Consciousness: (May 6 – Jun 3) A young artist from Hebron, Hroub was working on an MA in Fine Arts at the University of Southampton, which co-sponsored his first UK exhibition of photography and installation at the Mosaic Rooms. • Jawad Al-Malhi, New Works: (Jun 11 – Jul 8) This exhibition was part of the Qattan-Delfina partnership which invited Jerusalem artist Al-Malhi to stay at the Delfina facilities in Victoria while showing new work in photography and mixed media at both Delfina and the Mosaic Rooms. The artist also gave a tour of both shows. • Earl’s Court Festival 2010: (Jul 4 – 31) Once again this year, we renewed our support to the ECF by hosting four of their events, including their launch.

1. ‘This Is Not A Table’ by Dia Batal, limited edition of 7, powder coated metal 2. ‘Jamila Habash’, 2009, from Kai Wiedenhöfer’s series of photographs The Book of Destruction 3. From Shema Ladva’s exhibition Portraits from

3 1, 2. From Silk Thread Martyrs, by fashion designer Omar Joseph Nasser Khoury

Sainsbury’s

• Mona Saudi, Poetic Inspirations: (Sep 24 – Oct 22) The distinguished Jordanian sculptor’s first UK show was both the best attended and best covered visual arts exhibition held at the Rooms since our opening. The exhibition also attracted for the first time support from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (as part of their Across the Street, Around the World cultural festival which took place during Sep and Oct 2010). The artist also gave a well-attended talk to the public. To coincide with Saudi’s show, we also launched our first education outreach programme, Transforming Narratives. Dia Batal, a furniture designer (and previous winner of a Qattan Foundation bursary for her MA studies in fine art at Goldsmith College) and Reem Chareef, a Lebanese architect who has previously received the Foundation’s support for a summer art programme in Burj el-Barajneh Camp in Lebanon, designed an ambitious project with children at St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Primary School in Kensington, which they launched with a visit to Poetic Inspirations. The programme continued in the classroom and lasted until Feb 2011, culminating in the schoolchildren’s work being shown here in March. 18

• Shema Ladva, Portraits from Sainsbury’s: (Nov 5-24) This was an exhibition of portraits by a local artist of her co-workers from the nightshift at the Sainsbury’s supermarket located on the Cromwell Road, London. • Kai Wiedenhöfer, The Book of Destruction: (Jan 28-Feb 12) German photographer Kai Wiedenhöfer exhibited work from his prize-winning series of photographs from Gaza after the 2009 War and Israeli offensive, Operation Cast Lead. This was the first time the photographs had been exhibited in London, and the exhibition received much press attention including features in the Observer, the Guardian, British Journal of Photography, Radio BBC World Service, and TV coverage by Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. The exhibition and the artist talk had record attendance. Photographs were sold to raise funds to support some of those featured in Kai’s photographs, in collaboration with the Welfare Association (UK). An estimated £12,900 was raised. • Omar Joseph Nasser-Khoury, Silk Thread Martyrs: (18 Feb - Mar 9) This was the debut exhibition of the young Palestinian fashion designer’s latest collection of garments, timed to coincide with London Fashion Week. The exhibition received press attention from CNN Online, the Telegraph Online, BBC World Service radio arts programme ‘The Strand’, Guardian fashion newsletter, as well as numerous blogs. The exhibition was part-sponsored by the British Council in Jerusalem. The artist also sold one piece to the British Museum. • Young Artists Award, Such Stuff as Dreams are Made on: (Part I March 1831, Part II April 8-21) The exhibition of the Foundation’s Young Artist Award 2010 was held in two parts to ensure the maximum number of finalists could be represented. Both parts received significant coverage and very good attendance.

1. ‘Sea Package’ 2010 by Ayed Arafeh, mixed media installation with coloured water & plastic bags

Literary and Other Events

1. Cover of Hisham Matar’s novel, Anatomy of a Disappearance 2. Dr Mahmoud Shaheen 3. ‘Oud player Khyam Allami 4. Cover of Raja Shehadeh’s book A Rift in Time

Literary and other cultural events included the launch of books by Nicholas Rowe Raising Dust – A Cultural History of Dance in Palestine and Saree Maqdisi Palestine Inside Out – An Everyday Occupation, as well as a reading by Randa Jarrar from her book A Map of Home, as part of the Beirut 39/Hay Festival collaboration. In early September, Palestinian-British playwright Hannah Khalil organised a reading with six actors of her play Scenes from 62 Years. November saw the launch of a translation of Absent Presence by Mohammed Darwish, and in December an evening with Iraqi oud player Khyam Allami (in collaboration with Dash Art Café). In early 2011, we launched Atlas of Palestine by Dr Salman Abu Sitta; we also hosted, in collaboration with Verso Press, author Shlomo Sand discussing his new book What is a Nation as part of Kai Wiedenhöfer’s exhibition; a reception for the Saif Ghobash-Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation winner; and Emerging Arab Voices - a panel discussion on contemporary Arabic fiction in association with International Prize for Arabic Fiction and Saqi Books. The winter season was crowned with two wonderful evenings hosting celebrated authors Raja Shehadeh and Hisham Matar in conversation with Omar Al-Qattan. Hisham Matar’s launch of his new novel, Anatomy of a Disappearance, was the best-attended literary event held here so far (more than 120 people in the audience) and was co-hosted with Viking Penguin Books.

The Edward W. Said Annual Lecture at the British Museum The first EWSA lecture was given before a packed house at the BP Auditorium in the British Museum by Professor Marina Warner under the title Oriental Masquerade, Fiction and Fantasy in the Wake of the Arabian Nights, with opening remarks by Stuart Hall and introduced by Professor Jacqueline Rose. The organising committee comprised Ahdaf Soueif, Professor Jacqueline Rose, Joanna Lumley (representing the British Museum), Maryam Said, Mary-Kay Wilmers (owner/editor of the London Review of Books) and Omar Al-Qattan. On the morning of the lecture, Professor Warner was featured on Radio 4’s Start the Week, one of the most popular highbrow cultural programmes on UK radio. The lecture was principally sponsored by the Foundation, with additional generous contributions from Mary-Kay Wilmers and author Hanan Al-Sheikh. The 2011 lecture was given by Professor Rashid Khalidi on the theme of ‘Human Dignity in Jerusalem.’ The British Museum once again generously hosted the lecture on 31st May 2011.

Film

Residencies

An occasional film series was launched in April showing two new documentaries from Lebanon – Semaan in the Village by Simon elHabr and Shou Sar by de Gaulle Eid. In November we screened Zeina Dacacche’s award winning 12 Angry Lebanese to raise money to support the continuation of her drama project in Lebanese prisons. In January we screened Aisheen - Still Alive in Gaza to coincide with Kai Wiedenhofer’s exhibition.

During this reporting period Lebanese artist Pascal Hachem stayed with us for the opening of his exhibition at the Selma Feriani Gallery; Walaa Al Qaisiya was a Palfest Intern resident during her internship at Bloomsbury Publishing; Omar Joseph Nasser-Khoury was resident during his exhibition with us and Lebanese artist Ziad Antar was resident during his exhibition opening at the Selma Feriani Gallery.

An annual initiative with the Dubai International Film Festival was established to showcase the work of winners of the festival’s various prizes. 21

The Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

Exploring the Possibilities A recent study of schools in Palestine made several findings and interesting recommendations. Many of these are of great importance in terms of their potential to form the basis of new practices that can lead to much-needed changes in the educational system, setting it on a path towards an improved quality of service. In the study, several teachers pointed to the importance of exchanging experiences among themselves: “The teachers meet regularly to share lesson plans and experiences, think about their daily behaviours within their schools and publish their experiences in various ways. This is an empowerment model for teachers, which takes place outside the formal education system; however, it enriches them professionally within the system and inspires their practice within it”. The study also highlighted the importance of encouraging teachers to display their work at conferences, study days and workshops and receive feedback from peers. This reciprocal process enables teachers to see their work through the eyes and experiences of others. It inspires them to develop their experience whilst giving them a sense of pride in their profession, which has been lacking for cultural, social and economic reasons.

“We gained new experiences in teaching which were unavailable in our schools - through planning, work and experimenting - whilst producing an animated film. We also got to know students from other schools and exchanged experiences with them.” Student Yasmin Ahmad from the Galilee Experimental School in Nazareth at a training workshop on “The Utilisation of Animation in Education”.

The study also outlines a new vision for empowering the teacher based on the redefinition of roles. Specifically, it suggests that supervisors need to re-orientate their function, presenting themselves not only as sources of knowledge and judgement but also as facilitators of learning and knowledge-sharing. This is seen as an important way to improve the quality of education. It requires support from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education at the policy level as well as from the local community and local organisations that have expertise and successful experiences in this field. We at the Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development have taken it upon ourselves to bear part of this educational/social responsibility, which demands the development of new, inspiring ideas and ongoing applied work. In this context, we have expanded the range of platforms for interaction through which teachers engage in dialogue and exchange. Examples include 1) the steady growth of their writings in Ru’a Tarbawiya magazine 2) the study days on which they present their experiences 3) the teachers’ regional forums and the efforts to develop them and to encourage similar new initiatives 4) establishment of teachers’ centres 5) development of the West Bank and Gaza Strip teachers’ forum 6) encouragement of online social networking 7) development of the idea of supporting teachers who work with new colleagues, and 8) initiation of an international teacher exchange programme.

“I had my first experience in drama when I participated in Qattan’s Third Educational Conference. I do not hide my feelings about that moment. This experience showed me another dimension. It gave me confidence in myself and in what I do.” Rima Taha / teacher – Birzeit.

“There was a qualitative leap in the second year of the School at the levels of thinking, logistics and presentation. The diversity of content, depth of experience and the way in which the course was structured have all deepened our understanding.” Mukhles Boudshar, Moroccan theatre practitioner and second year student at the Drama in Education Summer School.

These ideas and endeavours, some of which are well established while others remain embryonic, require the continuous synergy of efforts of all involved. In order for us to realise their full potential, we are focusing our programme around the Foundation’s strategic plan, mobilising the Centre’s capabilities and energies around devising and developing these opportunities for exchange, setting them in their professional context and supporting them with the necessary resources.

Wasim Kurdi Director of Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

The Centre continues to work towards crafting innovative educational experiences at the levels of vision and practice. It implements programmes in schools and in the community, working directly with teachers. These increase in effectiveness as they become more diverse and long-term in nature. As a result, teachers have gained experiences which they can in turn exchange with other teachers, thereby leading to the creation and dissemination of new ideas and more integrated programmes which both depend on and encourage teachers’ involvement in their development and the expansion of their application. This process leads to the enrichment of our programmes in terms of form and content, as well as to an increase in the numbers involved and in the quality of that involvement.

Library visitors (Ramallah & Gaza) 2001 – 2011

Library contents (books, magazines, films, CDs)

New visitors Total number of visitors

Working with teachers professional development (primary)

English language

work for a limited period/ 20 hours & more Cumulative work throughout the year

history

Drama in Education Summer School professional development (early childhood)

drama activities for interactive education drama forum animation in education

work distributed throughout the year 1. ‫‏‬British expert Luke Abbott presents the “Mantle of the Expert” course as part of the science and early childhood project 2. ‫‏‬Greek expert Konstantinos Amoiropoulos presents a course as part of the Drama in Education Summer School 3. ‫‏‬Students participate in activities at the Ni’lin Teacher Centre 4. ‫‏‬Film screening as part of the “Cinema Club” project at the Ni’lin Teacher Centre 5. ‫‏‬A meeting for early childhood educators in the West Bank with their counterparts in Gaza

“The Drama School is the only place where you can evoke all your experiences and expertise. The school encourages me to trust my instincts yet remain critical and self-aware. All of the educational experiments and challenges we deal with in the school make me able to cope with many issues in my career in the field of drama.” Dina Sayyed, Egyptian facilitator, novelist and third year student in the Summer School

Tracks

Animation in Education

First: Arts and Education Drama in an education This programme aims to deepen the knowledge of teachers involved in practising their role as educators in an integrated manner. The programme uses drama as a learning context for all subjects, and the technique involves planning, implementation and evaluation. Presently, the programme revolves around three spheres: • The 2010-2011 Drama in Education Summer School: The Summer School programme continued for the fourth year running in 2010-2011 in Jarash (in partnership with the Welfare Association) with the participation of 64 male and female teachers coming from Palestine and the Arab World, and representing the School’s three academic levels. This year, the first group of teachers graduated in what we called the “Class of Mahmoud Darwish,” after the great poet. • Drama Teachers’ Forum: The forum convened five times. It included exchange of educational experiences and expertise, movie screenings, play watching and seminars. • The Research Seminar: As the first group of teachers under this programme graduated, a permanent research seminar was launched. The seminar explores the impact of employing drama as an active teaching and learning context in schools. • Drama in Early Childhood In collaboration with the Arab Theatre Training Centre, we held a founding workshop for kindergarten teachers, entitled Using Drama in Early Childhood.

professional development: multi-source education

‫ ‏‬lay models made by children as part of the C “Animation in Education” project

“There is a student with special needs in my class. He never interacted in the classroom. Through his work with the project he became active. He started asking questions and writing despite his disability which makes it difficult for him to hold a pen.” Amira Yassin, teacher, Jerusalem – the Professional Development Project for Early Childhood Teachers.

This is a training programme for teachers and students based on the production of short films using drawings and other materials, through an integrated and balanced learning process which combines technical and theoretical knowledge on one hand and, on the other, developing imagination, emotion and social skills such as dialogue and participation. The programme runs specialised educational courses for teachers and students throughout the year. This year, sessions were held in Ramallah, Jerusalem, Jericho, Nazareth, Silwad, and Jalazoun and Al-Amari refugee camps. A studio at Silwad Secondary Girls School in the Ramallah District was established, and work is underway on equipping several new studios in Jerusalem and Nazareth. The programme is currently preparing to produce a joint film with the participation of six schools.

Second: Science and Technology Early Childhood and Scientific Culture: The Science Teaching in Childhood and Early Childhood Programme was established within a structure for planned child education in accordance with the latest educational theories and developments. The programme aims at fostering teaching techniques which encourage students to adopt the roles of specialists and experts who research, construct, analyse and observe.

Third: Languages and Social Sciences Professional Development: This programme involves three groups of teachers in Jerusalem, Ramallah and the town of Ni’lin. The track comprises three stages: (a) an initial stage during which teachers write 25

about their perceptions of education; (b) a vocational education programme; and (c) the establishment of applied school projects. Interactive Programmes with Teachers in Languages and Social Sciences: These included: (a) training teachers of the Comprehensive School Activities Programme in Palestinian schools (b) training teachers at the Freres School in Bethlehem (c) training kindergarten teachers working with the Early Childhood, Family and Community Education Project in Jerusalem (d) Five educational tracks in Jenin (d1) multi-source education ... storytelling and pictures (d2) animation in education (d3) drama activities in an educational context (d4) introduction to drama, and (d5) learning strategies in a context; and (e) an integrated professional development programme throughout the year.

Supporting Programmes Interactive Sites

1. ‫‏‬Teacher Deena Al Sayyed conducts a course for the second year of the Drama in Education Summer School 2. ‫‏‬Students of the second year course in “Drama in Education” Summer School

“We as educators always shoulder great responsibility. We gained knowledge, and all we have to do is to create a theatre and an audience for it to work in life. Based on my experience, I tried to get out of the ordinary by integrating the Mantle of the Expert method (a pedagogical approach in drama) and film to deepen exploration with analysis, planning and evaluation.” Kinana Dajani, science teacher, Jenin Teachers’ Forum.

The Library Alongside its basic role of providing reference works in the fields of education and humanities, the Centre’s library in Ramallah and Gaza keeps up to date with recent Arabic and foreign publications; receives visitors, whether teachers or graduate students, and helps them find the resources and references they need; participates in Arab and local book fairs, forums and various library activities; organises dialogue meetings and book reviews; and raises awareness of the resources available in the library and the means of utilising them in the educational process. Teachers’ Resource Centre - Ni’lin The Teachers’ Centre in Ni’lin provides an opportunity for teachers to exchange experiences and interact among themselves on the one hand and with their social environment on the other. The Centre has achieved this by holding cultural educational activities for teachers, students and the local community in general. It organised several educational and cultural activities including film screenings, theatre productions, storytelling, musical evenings and exhibitions. The Centre also initiated the establishment of an educational library.

Regional Forums In the West Bank: Ya’bad and Jenin Forum; Nazareth Teachers Forum; Halhul, Idna, Dura and Ad-Dhahrieh-Hebron Forum; Jericho Forum; Tulkarem Forum; Bethlehem Forum. Forums in the West Bank organised a range of cultural, educational and artistic activities. In the Gaza Strip: The Teachers Forum; the School Principals and Supervisors Forum; the English Language Club and the Arabic Language Club. Forums in the Gaza Strip organised a range of activities including educational meetings with teachers, film screenings, participation in plays and convening the School Principals and Supervisors Monthly Forum.

“Sometimes we collect information and analyse it, but what is most important in education is to face the challenges. This research analysed education from a critical and reflective perspective, whereby teachers became researchers. We have to face the research challenges stemming from its results.” Jean Gough, UNICEF’s Special Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“I am proud as a member of the Welfare Association, and I am proud as “Tafeeda”, to work with the Qattan Foundation in educational and cultural fields, which contribute effectively to the development of the country. We at the Welfare Association are very proud to cooperate with you, and see the fruition of our efforts in your work.” Dr. Tafeeda Jarbawi, DirectorGeneral of the Welfare Association.

Teachers’ Forum: Once the Teachers’ Forum began with its aim of deepening communication and dialogue among teachers in the West Bank and Gaza, it began to address specific topics concerning the reality of education and educational issues. Eight meetings were held, utilising video-conference technology, during which participants discussed impediments to developing teachers’ performance, utilisation of modern teaching methods, school tests including the method of their preparation and alternative forms of assessment, and evaluation of students’ abilities.

Research Fields Researchers from the Centre and external teacher-researchers carried out investigations in diverse fields, including on developing educational modules and on specific aspects of school life In cooperation with UNICEF, the Centre completed a research project on a Palestinian school from an anthropological perspective. The project resulted in five research papers by participating teachers. One paper focussed on the story of the teacher as a researcher working at and observing the school. Another analysed the reality of the school in terms of education and its methods, teachers’ relationships and their daily practices, and modes of teaching especially within the national standardized testing procedures. The research analysed observations, videotaped classes and questionnaire results, then processed and presented the data in multiple forms using facts and figures, data charts and tables. Al-Qaddoumi - Qattan Scholarship for teachers: This year’s grant went to Sawsan Mar’e, a teacher from Nazareth who enrolled at the University of Warwick, UK, to study for a Master’s degree in drama and theatre in education. Meanwhile, teacher Farid As-Sa’da of Hebron received a Master’s degree from the University of Essex, UK, in the field of Computer-Assisted English Language Learning. Interactive Simulation: This ongoing project aims to enrich the teaching environment with interactive simulation resources, educational videos related to sciences and the utilisation of science in integrated learning, and contributing to the professional development of teachers by involving them in gathering resources and reconstructing them in the educational context before using them to teach science in an integrated way in their classes. The project recorded hundreds of film hours produced globally in various science education fields, which are now available for teachers’ use at the Centre’s library in Ramallah.

Publications Ru’a Tarbawiya Magazine During the reporting period, the Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development issued volumes 32, 33 and 34 of its educational quarterly, Ru’a Tarbawiya. These three volumes comprised research materials in education and on drama and education, educational theory, applications, book reviews, teachers’ writings and educational stories. 27

Qattan Centre for the Child, Gaza 1

1. ‫‏‬Art performance by children on the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Qattan Centre for the Child 2. ‫‏‬Scene from the “Sleeping Beauty” production performed by the Centre’s children

New Partnerships and A Variety of Events

1. ‫‏‬Group photo of staff at the Qattan Centre for the Child with Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan during his visit to the Centre in May 2010

As part of its unique professional educational intervention in the field of children’s culture, the Qattan Centre for the Child sought to expand the scope of its services to include various new geographic areas within the Gaza Strip in addition to continuing to provide high quality cultural services for children.

Gaza Children “Every moment we learn something new from the children while we think that it is we who are teaching them. In their innocence and spontaneity, children are masters at letting us know that we need to try harder, as adults, to engage with them and achieve their levels of lucidity of mind and heart. As we teach them and learn from them, there is an unwritten agreement that they become what they like and what they want … Gaza children ... Thank you. “

Reem Abu Jaber Director of Qattan Centre for the Child

Through a long-term partnership (2010-2014) with the Drosos Foundation in Switzerland, the Centre is implementing the Partnership for Development Project in Al-Maghazi Refugee Camp in the Middle Area of the Gaza Strip. The project seeks to revitalise the library of Al Maghazi Community Rehabilitation Society, by upgrading the building infrastructure, furniture and equipment, and the procurement of library materials appropriate for children and parents, in addition to recruiting project staff and empowering them through a variety of training programmes. The project is also planning cultural and artistic activities to be implemented in the coming years with the children of the community. Continuing the aim of expanding the delivery of high quality services to Gaza children, and through a long-term partnership (2010-2012) with the Welfare Association, the Centre is implementing a project called For a Happy Childhood. It aims to develop six kindergartens in Gaza governorates in cooperation and partnership with the Early Childhood Education Centre in Nazareth, the Early Childhood Resources Centre in Jerusalem and the Arab Resources Collective in Lebanon. The kindergartens have been selected and the project has begun to empower their administrators and caregivers under a four-year project that will continue until the end of 2011. Meanwhile, the project began rehabilitating the buildings to suit the needs of kindergarten children and to implement appropriate logistics. This is expected to be completed in the summer of 2011.

Why do Trees Run Away?

“Why do Trees Run Away?” is a play dealing with the issues of pollution, desertification and other environmental issues, performed by the Centre’s children in partnership with the French Cultural Centre through the Science Festival Project which is funded by the Welfare Association. The play was performed during our Science Festival as well as during a unique interactive exhibition, “Seeing Earth from the Sky.” In theatre, the Centre produced the play “Sleeping Beauty” with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Almost 40 children participated in the performance. They came from the Centre’s drama, theatre, choir and performing arts clubs. The play was performed before a large audience of children and parents. 2

Child-Friendly Zone

“Child-Friendly Zone” is a project implemented in the Sammouni area in Gaza in cooperation with the Friends of Waldorf Education (Germany) with the aim of providing continuous psychological support for children in that area who were harmed by the Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2008/2009. The project was extended in order to continue to provide cultural and recreational activities for children, and is expected to be extended again for another year.

The Palestinian Popular Games Festival

1. ‫‏‬A child doing a science experiment at Al- Azhar Univeristy as part of an interactive activity 2. ‫‏‬A child at the Centre’s computer lab during a recreational activity, “Think with the Computer”

In order to support Palestinian popular heritage, the Centre implemented a project known as the Palestinian Popular Games Festival, with funding from the Welfare Association, It empowered those working with children in the area of Palestinian popular games. Popular games festivals were held for children in other Gaza governorates, along with artistic activities and book fairs.

Enhancing Communication with Parents in Primary Schools

As a first experiment in applying the Family Literacy Programme in schools, the Centre implemented a project called Developing and Enhancing Communication with Parents in Primary Schools in cooperation with the Norwegian Refugee Council to support the role of parents in their capacity as children’s first teachers. The project was implemented in three primary schools in the Middle Area of the Gaza Strip. Parents’ clubs were established in those schools, several joint activities between parents and their children were implemented, teachers were trained in the schools and the libraries of the beneficiary schools were provided with specialised library materials.

“Outreach Service” and “The Family Literacy” Project

In continuation of the Centre’s work towards extending its cultural, artistic and recreational services to the largest possible number of children in the Gaza governorates, the Centre implemented two projects - Enhancing the Outreach Service and Developing Family Literacy in Kindergartens - in cooperation with Save the Children (UK). Through these projects, the Centre provided book shows, a range of cultural and recreational activities and training for the staff of several community organisations. It also ran the Family Literacy Programme in 24 kindergartens in marginalised areas. 30

Science was a major focal point in this year’s activities, during which the importance of presenting dry scientific topics to children in an interactive and attractive manner was emphasised. Our science programme covered a number of disciplines. The Centre also focused on the importance of investing in children through its large number of high quality clubs which support the skills and talents of children of all ages, including Reading Clubs which profile historical figures who have made important scientific contributions, the Electronic Writer’s Club which encourages the dissemination of children’s literary innovations and the use of technology as a communication tool, the Choir and Performing Arts Clubs which presented musical performances and the Theatre and Drama Club which performed “The Dream”, a drama act improvised by children. Through the Young Painters’ Club, children learnt sculpture and composition techniques using plaster. They presented 30 art pieces to the public. The Centre also founded another group, the Science Club, which held scientific meetings at the Centre in addition to interactive meetings at the science laboratories of Al-Azhar University. Complementing the Family Literacy Programme which supports the role of parents in children’s learning process at pre-school age, the Centre continued to work through the parents’ club by holding regular weekly meetings on active learning, family nutrition and health, nursery and kindergarten selection criteria and children’s toy-making. Furthermore, in support of the integration of childcare between the family and kindergarten, the Centre continued to work with kindergartens by running interactive meetings and workshops for children and their families. Also, in order to improve parents’ skills in raising their children, the Centre implemented the Community-Parent Education Program (COPE), holding weekly meetings focusing on topics such as behavioural reinforcement, conflict mitigation and improving parent-child relationships. The Library proved an attractive site for children who utilised its various resources and facilities. The number of materials borrowed increased from last year to approximately 66,300 library materials, 60% of which were borrowed by girls. Furthermore, the Library organised various activities aimed at strengthening children’s reading habits, including story and novel reading and related cultural activities.

The Library and Technical Services in Figures 2010/ 2011 Number of members since opening: 21,398 Current membership: 9,669 Number of items borrowed externally: 66,304 Number of materials read internally: 164,170 Percentage of female borrowers: 60% Percentage of male borrowers: 40% Number of visitors: 55,555 Number of computer uses: 7,161 Total number of library materials: 110,657 Technically prepared library materials: 2,417 Books identified for repair: 4,218 Weeded Books: 1,832 31

Childish Reflections From a Small House to a Large Centre

Aida Al-Jamal, who lives in Jabalia Refugee Camp and likes to be called Um Mohammad, says: “Our house is tiny... the studio is huge. This is what my children say.” My house in Jabalia Refugee Camp is indeed the biggest problem ... There is no place in the refugee camp where we can go. Even the park beside the house was turned by the government into a hospital. The crowdedness, the war conditions and the political divisions which extend even to relatives impacted us and impacted the children’s academic achievement; hence, it was necessary to search for a spot where my children could breathe healthy air. Some acquaintances told me to take my children to the Qattan Centre. And I came to see this beautiful building: I started to see joy in the eyes of children. I look at them as they play with mud in a beautiful studio. Every week, my children and I become more attached to the Qattan Centre for the Child, and every week I notice positive change in the performance of my children on different levels like their studies and their general behaviour. I feel very impressed as I look at this place. But there is something that I like more, which are those faces that welcome my family and me. The least that can be said about them is that they spread joy in the place of joy, as if they would tell you “You’re at home.”

From an Introverted Child to a Social One

Mother “Nermin” and the Kindergarten Programme

Wadee’ Shaqqura is almost 11. Although he seemed shy and introverted, he demonstrated great desire to act when he joined the Theatre and Drama Club. He did not speak with others unless asked to, and always found it difficult to perform the role assigned to him, raising doubt about his ability to continue with the club, especially since he was taking part in a production of “Sleeping Beauty”, to be presented to the public. Wadee’ used to listen silently to the director’s comments, sometimes appearing concerned that the director would give his role to someone else. Then, through drama exercises, we were shocked to discover that Wadee’ had recently lost his mother in a terrible car accident. It seems that this trauma had a strong psychological impact on Wadee’, leading to his introversion. We became determined to help Wadee’ restore confidence in himself and in others, as well as to improve his performance skills. Much of the work with Wadee’ focused on integrating him with his peers in the club. Noticeable change occurred in Wadee’s behaviour and, just before the public performanace, Wadee’ developed into an active participant, ultimately performing his role in a marvellous way and interacting with other children with a smile that never leaves his face.

Nermin is a mother of three. She married at an early age and commenced university study and work after her children were born. Nermin was able to create a space for her personal development in spite of the heavy responsibilities she shouldered. Nermin says: “After I had to leave work for over two years due to the internal political conditions in Gaza, I started feeling that I was losing all the achievements I had accomplished little by little. After my life was arranged between the house, the children and work, I started facing difficulties in managing everyday problems related to my children, especially my young son who is enrolled at a private kindergarten.” Nermin joined the kindergarten programme at the Qattan Centre in December 2010 to take part in joint activities with her child and to learn more about child development, hoping to change something in the behaviour of her child, who would cry persistently. Nermin learned an alternative approach after attending meetings on child development. Determined to find out the reason for her child’s continuous crying, she committed to an intervention plan to solve the problem with the assistance of the kindergarten. She says: “Three months after joining the programme at the Centre, I saw substantial improvement in my son’s problem. He started going to the kindergarten without crying as well as getting involved in parties and picnics with his peers. Improvement was evident in him taking part in playing, dancing and other activities. On a personal level, I started marking on my calendar the day I am supposed to come to the Centre because, through my participation with the Centre and its programme, I regained my energy and rediscovered my abilities.”

Child Husam Haraz: A Promising Future in Programming Husam Haraz, 13 years old, is a member of the Qattan Club for Programmers which he joined this year. Husam found what he was missing in programming. He was first introduced to programming through the “Scratch” course, which teaches the principles of programming in an interesting way. He was a distinguished participant among his peers, showing strong ability to solve any programming problem facing him. He has since become a premier member of the club, and has programmed educational courses for children under six years old in the fields of writing, distinguishing shapes and colours and identifying differences. Presently, Husam is receiving training on programming three-dimensional objects using ALICE. He has to date shown distinction and promise for a future career in programming and its various applications.

Child Razan Al-Loh and the Outreach Services Programme Razan Al-Loh, 12 years old, from Deir Al-Balah, was quiet, shy and isolated from other children when playing. Project animators in this initiative tried to integrate her indirectly in activities with other children. Within a few days, Razan abandoned her timidity, and now plays a visible role in the activities we implement with the children. She takes part with her peers in playing, reading and discussing stories. Moreover, she participated in what is called the “open microphone” paragraph, where children verbalise their thoughts and feelings, successfully expressed herself in a clear indication of her progress.

Resource Development Resource Development Policy and Procedures

Funding Partners

Based on the strategic decision adopted by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 2009, which stipulated raising the percentage of external co-funding to 40% of the Foundation’s annual budget by the beginning of 2014, it was necessary to develop a resource development policy and set of procedures which explain the Foundation’s approach and the role of its staff in the development of resources in order to facilitate attainment of the articulated strategic goals of consolidating relationships with existing funding partners and/or attracting new ones.

During the year 2010/2011, the Foundation continued to consolidate existing partnerships and sought to build new ones with a number of local, Arab and international funding agencies in order to expand the scope of its programmes and focus its interventions on important fields in full accordance with the Foundation’s vision, policies and strategic directions. The following is a list of funding partners during the reporting period:

The policy outlines the roles of staff members involved in resource development: the executive director, the director of media and resource development, the director of finance, and programme directors and staff. A basic tenet of the policy is that all activities carried out in this regard are subject to the Foundation’s general policies and require approval of the Board of Trustees, both with regard to the establishment of projects and their objectives, and in relation to potential funding partners. An eight-article text forms the mandatory framework that governs the Foundation’s policy concerning resource development. It explains that the Foundation seeks co-funding to expand its activities under its three programmes only, focusing on long-term strategic partnerships with unconditional funding, in response to projects solicited by funding agencies or in accordance with prior discussions with these agencies. The Foundation is committed to the requirements of all funding partners in accordance with the agreements signed with them, and complies with the local and international laws and regulations in implementing all of its activities.

Drosos Foundation. Ford Foundation Friends of Waldorf Education (Germany) Norwegian Refugee Council Save the Children (UK) Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Waleed Kattan Welfare Association

The policy outlines the Foundation’s sources of funding, beginning with the Qattan Charitable Trust which covers all administrative costs of the Foundation as well as most of the costs of its programmes and projects. It also includes internal resources, limited as they are, which are currently generated by the revenues from some publications, the proceeds of renting out halls, bank interest and others. The Foundation’s sources of funding partners include local, Arab and international funding agencies, the private sector, individuals and trusts. Finally, the policy lists the steps to be followed in the preparation of project proposals. It demonstrates the roles of staff at each step and provides them with advice and guidance to facilitate the completion of project proposals and concept papers. In order to better regulate relationships with co-funding partners, the policy elaborates on project reports, evaluation (internal and external) and external auditing, explaining the roles and responsibilities of all staff involved in these areas.

Nida Tawil/ Disi Director of Communications and Resource Development

The Foundation’s Team Board of Trustees

Management Committee

Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan - Chairman Leila Al-Qattan Najwa Al-Qattan Leenah Al-Qattan Omar Al-Qattan – Secretary of the Board of Trustees

Ziad Khalaf, Executive Director Bashar Idkaidek, Director of Finance Reem Abu Jaber, Director of Qattan Centre for the Child, Gaza Nida Tawil/ Disi, Director of Communications and Resource Development Mahmoud Abu Hashhash, Director of Culture and Arts Programme Wasim Kurdi, Director of Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

Group photo of Mosaic Rooms staff in London

Group photo of Foundation staff in Ramallah with Abdel Mohsin and Omar Al-Qattan during their visit in March 2011

Staff Management Abd El Rahman Abu Shamaleh, Amer Khalil, Bashar Idaidek, Issam Khaseeb, Maram Shkokani, Nida Tawil/ Disi, Nihaya Kharoub, Tamer Mansour, Ziad Khalaf.

Culture and Arts Programme

Amal Barghouthi/ Rabi, Diaa Jubeh, Mahmoud Abu Hashhash, Manar Harb, Nisreen Naffa’, Reem Shilleh.

Group photo of Gaza Music School staff Group photo of staff at the Qattan Centre for the Child, Gaza

Group photo of Gaza staff at the Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

Gaza Music School

Ahmad Abu Amsha, Anas Najjar, Ban Al-Ghussain, Elena Tanboura, Haitham Mghanni, Hassan Al Taif, Ibrahim Najjar, Mohammad Habash, Natalia Abu Obeid, Yelena Leddawi, Yelena Radwan.

The Mosaic Rooms

Ghalia Qattan (on a voluntary basis), Nathalie Megan, Rachael Hornsby, Shelley Wong, Tekie Yemane.

Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

Ramallah: Abd Al-Kareem Hussein, Azmi Shunnarah, Hiba Sonoqrot, Huda Foqaha’, Khaled Fani, Kifah Fani, Malik Snaf, Nader Wahbeh, Rawan Samander, Samar Hijjawi, Wasim Kurdi, Yasmeen Al-Ayassa. Gaza: Hana’a Al-Shafe’e, Maha Barzaq, Maher Al-Salti, Mohammed Abu Mallouh, Randa Turk.

Qattan Centre for the Child – Gaza

Abd Al-Salam Al-Nasleh, Ahmad Al-Bozom, Ala’ Eldin Al-Tayeh, Aref Al-Hout, Bahjat Abu Halimeh , Ghada Ruzzi, Emad Nasserallah, Ghassan Abu Libdeh, Haidar Hijazi , Hamid Al-Khalidi , Heyam Hayek, Huda Nayef, Hussein Al-Khateeb , Iman Shaheen, Iman Thabit, Itizaz Obeid, Khadeeja Abu Habl , Mahmoud Sharqawi, Mamdouh Abu Hasira, Mamdouh Abu Kamil, Manar Azaizeh, Mohammad Abu Nada, Mohammed Al-Haty, Mohammed Lomani, Mohammed Srour, Muna Abu Shaban, Musleh Ashram, Naseem Elayan , Noor Abu Mezyed, Raed Hajaj , Reem Abu-Jaber, Reem Jarour, Salman Nawati , Tahani Dalloul, Wisam Al-Jamal. 36

Contact information Palestine

United Kingdom

PO Box 2276, Ramallah Tel: 00 970 2 296 0544 Fax: 00 970 2 298 4886 info@qattanfoundation.org

Tower House, 226 Cromwell Road London SW5 0SW Tel: 00 44 207 370 9990 Fax: 00 44 207 370 1606 info@uk.qattanfoundation.org info@mosaicrooms.org www.qattanfoundation.org

A. M. Qattan Foundation is a British registered charity (no. 1029450) and is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No. 2171893. Registered address at 79 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RB. Its registered No. in Palestine is QR-0035-F

The Audited Financial Statements