AMQF Profile 2012 by Qattan Foundation

INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE A.M. Qattan Foundation 22 Al Jihad Street Al Masyoun Ramallah Palestine PO Box 2276 Tel: +970 2 296 0544 Fax: +970 2 298 4886 Email: info@qattanfoundation.org www.qattanfoundation.org

The Mosaic Rooms 226 Cromwell Road London United Kingdom SW5 0SW Tel: + 44 207 370 9990 Fax: + 44 207 370 1606 Email: info@uk.qattanfoundation.org info@mosaicrooms.org www.mosaicrooms.org

A. M. Qattan Foundation 2012

Serving Culture and Education in Palestine and the Arab World

CONTENT

GENERAL BACKGROUND Vision Mission Statement Values Funding and Sustainability Countries of Involvement

FOUNDATION’S TEAM

06 CORE PROGRAMMES Qattan Centre for Educational Research & Development Qattan Centre for the Child Culture and Arts Programme - The Mosaic Rooms

HIGHLIGHTS & FUTURE PROJECTS

14 Cover: The shape of a girl at an easel is formed from a collage of images of children involved with/benefitting from the Qattan Centre for the Child

Background: Untitled (detail) by Syrian artist Fadi Yazigi, included in his exhibition, Che, Angel, It’s Me, Donkey, The Mosaic Rooms, October 2011

GENERAL BACKGROUND

The A.M. Qattan Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit developmental organisation founded in 1993. It is registered in the UK as a charity (no 1029450), and as a charitable company limited by guarantee (no 2171893). A branch of the Foundation is also registered in Palestine as a non-profit organisation (no QR-0035-F).

Vision A just, free, enlightened and tolerant society with a global presence; one that embraces dialogue and is a producer of knowledge, art and literature.

Mission Statement An independent, not-for-profit developmental institution working in the culture and education sectors, targeting a variety of social groups, particularly children, teachers and young artists, which: Aims to empower free-thinking, enlightened individuals to overcome the challenges of war and injustice and to create a flourishing and dynamic society in Palestine and the Arab World.

Adopts a long-term, participatory developmental ethos through programmes that foster critical thinking, research, creativity and the production of knowledge, while also providing an inspiring model of transparency and excellence.

Advocates cultural and educational development as an essential tool of resistance for a society faced by conditions of acute political instability and humanitarian catastrophe.

A child performs during an activity of the Child-friendly Areas Project, implemented by the Qattan Centre for the Child in the Al-Samouni Area, Gaza Strip

Values

Funding and Sustainability

Defence of the rights and dignity of all

The Al-Qattan family supports the Foundation’s administrative expenses and the majority of its programme costs in order to ensure its independence and the highest level of services. The Foundation seeks external co-funding to expand existing activities or to introduce new projects within the framework of its core programmes, such that this funding does not exceed 40% of its annual budget and does not in any way compromise the Foundation’s vision, mission and values. The Foundation’s 2012/2013 annual budget amounts to about $8 million, 60% of which is

Inspired by the enduring vision enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood”, the Foundation supports women and men to combine their self-development with the service of others, specifically through the provision of inclusive public services of a high standard. Freedom, pluralism, dialogue, the production of knowledge and new thinking The Foundation believes in the individual’s rights to freedom of thought and creed, as well as to free expression. These rights are key components of its internal policies and its work in the fields of culture and education, where the sharing of ideas and practices is considered essential for the production of knowledge and new thinking.

covered by the Foundation’s own resources, with the rest being raised mainly from external sources including: American Near East Refugee Aid, the Belgian Government through the Belgian Development Agency, Drosos Foundation (Switzerland), Ford Foundation, Friends of Waldorf Education, Institute for International Education, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norwegian Refugee Council, Prince Claus Fund, Save the Children UK, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Swiss Development Cooperation, Walid and Helen Kattan and the Welfare Association.

Working in a collegiate spirit of productivity The Foundation is aware that it can only realise its goals if it has the support of its target constituencies and their shared agreement on the value, meaning and potential effectiveness of its work. As such, it always aims to operate in a collegiate spirit of cooperation and partnership with its staff and the groups it serves, whether they are children, artists or teachers. The courage to be just The Foundation realises that long-term peace, equality and prosperity require the courage to be just and to defend the oppressed. 2 1. From the play In the Penal Colony produced by Shiberhur, with support from the Qattan Fund for Performing Arts 2011 2. A puppet theatre show, part of World Water Day activities at the Qattan Centre for the Child

Countries of Involvement The Foundation’s operations are mainly in Palestine, with limited interventions in neighbouring countries. However, the Foundation has started increasing its regional work with developing an initiative in partnership with the Prince Claus Fund to support cultural initiatives in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. In addition, the Foundation will continue to expand its work in the UK through The Mosaic Rooms.

FOUNDATION’S TEAM

The Board of Trustees

The Qattan Centre for the Child (QCC)in Gaza City contains over 111,500 books and of other mediais and offers agoverning variety of library, cultural and The Board Trustees the highest body ofinformation, the A.M. Qattan Foundarecreational services, making it one of the largest and most sophisticated chiltion. It has ultimate responsibility for setting the overall policies and strategies, dren’s libraries in the Arab World. Established to compensate for the of and overseeing programmes and activities, monitoring and evaluating thelack legal opportunities and incentives open to children at school and elsewhere, it aims financial position of the Foundation, as well as providing the resources for its to nurture children’s curiosity, expand their knowledge, facilitate their access to sustainability and advancement. outside cultures, enhance their appreciation of arts and sciences, and consolidate their sense has of belonging to theiritscultural identity.The Centre offers a variety of The Board been reviewing governance structure with also a view to expandlibrary and information services, cultural and recreational programmes, ing its membership to include independent specialists and professionals.profesIn June sional programmes foras childcare professionals, and joint 2012, empowerment Nadia Hijab joined the Board its first member from outside theactivities Al-Qatfor children and their parents. The QCC serves more than 45,000 children annutan family. Further Board expansion is expected in the near future. ally, including those targeted by its Outreach Services Programme, or about 7% of Gaza members Strip children under theofage of 15. Current of the Board Trustees:

Merit and excellence are at the basis of the Foundation’s staffing policy, which has a strict policy against discrimination based on gender, ethnic, confessional or party-political allegiance. Currently more than 80 staff members work at the A.M. Qattan Foundation offices in London, Ramallah, and Gaza, 45% of whom are women. The executive director is the highest-ranking administrator in charge of overall management of the Foundation, and the main liaison with the Board of Trustees. Consultations on strategy, policies and work plans are carried out through the Management Committee, which comprises:

Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan

Leenah Al-Qattan

Chairman

Trustee

Executive Director

Leila Al-Qattan

Omar Al-Qattan

Mahmoud Abu Hashhash

Trustee

Najwa Al-Qattan Trustee

10 6

Human Resources

Secretary of the Board

Nadia Hijab Trustee

Ziad Khalaf

Director of the Culture and Arts Programme

Wasim Kurdi

Director of the Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

1. Part of the ninth round of the Performing Arts Summer School, Talitha Qumi School in Beit Jala 2. A course in drama and early childhood for a group of teachers from Nazareth 3. A drama course for secondyear teachers at the Drama in Education Summer School

Bashar Idkaidek Director of Finance

Nida Tawil Disi Director of Communications and Resource Development

Nehaia Abu Nahla

Director of the Qattan Centre for the Child

Reem Abu Jaber

Director of the Qattan Centre for the Child until September 2012

CORE PROGRAMMES Since its establishment, the Foundation has worked towards the development of culture and education in Palestine and the Arab World. With a particular focus on children, teachers and young artists, it operates through three main programmes: QCERD Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development QCC Qattan Centre for the Child CAP Culture and Arts Programme

1 3 3 1. Ariella Azoulay, curator of the exhibition From Palestine to Israel speaks to students from University College London, November 2011 2. A scene from Snow White, Qattan Centre for the Child 3. A workshop on physics and energy for teachers in Jericho, part of the Walid and Helen Kattan Science Education Project 4. A training workshop organised by the Arab Puppet Theatre Foundation in Lebanon, with support from the Qattan Fund for Performing Arts 2011

Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development

The Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development (QCERD) aims to participate in raising the standards of education and teaching in Palestine. It engages directly with schoolteachers to develop their skills and knowledge as well as to encourage reflection on their profession to improve learning conditions for their pupils. The Centre adopts a research-oriented approach based on direct educational practices through continuous professional development programmes in the use of drama in education, early childhood, science education, and an approach known as ‘Learning through the Project’. The Centre regularly organises research seminars, conferences and study days. It further provides library services, issues the quarterly “Ru’a Tarbawiya” educational magazine and other educational publications, supports teachers’ initiatives and forums, as well as higher studies scholarships for teachers. In 2011, the Centre launched the Walid and Helen Kattan Science Education Project, an ambitious programme focused on science education in Palestine through the professional development of teachers, the creation of model science laboratories at schools, research, extra-curricular activities and scientific literacy initiatives. A comprehensive study on the establishment of an interactive science museum will be one of its main outputs.

4 1. From a tree-planting activity in the village of Aboud as part of the Olive Tree Project 2. A drama course for first year level teachers, Drama in Education Summer School 2012 3. Students watch Venus transiting across the face of the sun, Al Taybeh village. Part of the Walid and Helen Kattan Science Education Project

Qattan Centre for the Child The Qattan Centre for the Child (QCC) in Gaza City contains over 111,500 books and other media and offers a variety of library, information, cultural and recreational services, making it one of the largest and most sophisticated children’s libraries in the Arab World. Established to compensate for the lack of opportunities and incentives open to children at school and elsewhere, it aims to nurture children’s curiosity, expand their knowledge, facilitate their access to outside cultures, enhance their appreciation of arts and sciences, and consolidate their sense of belonging to their cultural identity.The Centre also offers a variety of library and information services, cultural and recreational programmes, professional empowerment programmes for childcare professionals, and joint activities for children and their parents. The QCC serves more than 45,000 children annually, including those targeted by its Outreach Services Programme, or about 7% of Gaza Strip children under the age of 15.

6 4. Children of the Performing Arts Club perform during Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan’s visit to the Qattan Centre for the Child in 2010 5. Children read their favourite stories at the Qattan Centre for the Child’s library 6. A bubble show performed by a team from the French Cultural Centre at the Qattan Centre for the Child

Culture and Arts Programme

2 1. From the play Keffiyeh/Made in China, co-produced with the Royal Flemish Theatre, Brussels, as part of the Performing Arts Summer School 2. A child learns to play violin at the Gaza Music School

3. A still from the set of the film No Exit by Mohannad Yaqubi with support from the Production Support Project 2012

The Culture and Arts Programme (CAP) mainly aims to support talented young artists by offering them incentives to develop their talents, enable them to achieve and/or present their creative projects, advance their knowledge and experiences, and take more prominent positions in the cultural scene locally and abroad. In support of artists’ technical, vocational, and educational development, the Programme offers scholarships, production and promotion grants and prizes which it awards on a competitive basis. The Programme’s support is not limited to individuals; a significant share of its resources is allocated to support cultural and artistic programmes, activities, and productions organised by organisations and artistic troupes in Palestine and abroad. The Programme works across a number of different disciplines including the performing arts, visual arts, literature, and the audio-visual arts. The Programme also promotes cultural collaboration between Palestine, the Arab region and the rest of the world.

The Mosaic Rooms

The Mosaic Rooms (MR) was established in 2008 as a cultural centre in West London showcasing some of the most exciting, progressive and creative voices from the Arab world. As the UK arm of the A.M. Qattan Foundation, it aims to reveal aspects of Arab society that are often not covered by the media, with the view that culture, in its widest and most generous definition, plays a vital role in facilitating cross-cultural dialogue and understanding (www.mosaicrooms.org).

4. Contrary to What Women Like, by Dina Matar, acrylic on canvas, 200×200cm 5. Audience at a lecture by artist Mohammed Joha, at the Mosaic Rooms, June 2011 6. Part of the exhibition Che, Angel, It’s Me, Donkey by Fadi Yazigi, The Mosaic Rooms, October 2011 7. Artist Mohammed Joha stands by one of his paintings, part of his exhibition Dreams in Black and White at the Mosaic Rooms, June 2011

HIGHLIGHTS AND FUTURE PROJECTS

A.M. Qattan Foundation Cultural Centre and Office Building The Foundation is planning a new building in Ramallah to house its administrative and programmatic operations, and to serve as a multi-facetted cultural venue. With an investment of over $4.5 million, it expects the building to be an example of architectural design excellence, setting a standard for public buildings in Palestine. The building, set on a site of almost 6,000 m2, will include a cultural centre with dedicated space for art exhibitions; a library and book cafe; and a multi-purpose hall for lectures, workshops, forums, concerts and film screenings. 1

SELAT – Links Through The Arts, Lebanon In June 2012, the A.M. Qattan Foundation launched SELAT: Links through the Arts, a grant-making programme in support of cultural initiatives benefiting the Palestinian refugee communities in Lebanon and Lebanese-Palestinian cultural collaboration. Marking the beginning of the Foundation’s expansion beyond Palestine into the region, the project was made possible through partnership with the Netherlands-based Prince Claus Fund. The programme will run for three years with a budget of EUR310,000. SELAT will promote cultural life in the camps, focusing on emerging artists and new creative practices. The project also aims to strengthen links between the camps’ cultural practitioners and their peers in Lebanon and abroad. The initiative follows a recent scoping survey of cultural organisations and activities in Lebanon’s twelve Palestinian camps.

2 1. From the production Dreams for Sale by the Palestinian Circus School with support from the Qattan Fund for Performing Arts 2011 2. A training workshop organised by the Arab Puppet Theatre Foundation in Lebanon with support from the Qattan Fund for Performing Arts 2011

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency Grant for Performing Arts In June 2012, the Foundation and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency signed an agreement whereby the former will implement a two-year, $1.8m Palestinian Performing Arts Network Programme (PAN).The PAN focuses on two main work tracks.The first involves development of a fully-fledged and active performing arts network where efforts are consolidated to place arts and culture at the forefront of national priorities. The second track concentrates on joining efforts to create a vibrant performing arts community that enhances self-expression and strengthens cultural identity in Palestinian society.

King-Che, bronze sculpture by Fadi Yazigi

The Mosaic Rooms 226 Cromwell Road London United Kingdom SW5 0SW Tel: + 44 207 370 9990 Fax: + 44 207 370 1606 Email: info@uk.qattanfoundation.org info@mosaicrooms.org www.mosaicrooms.org

A. M. Qattan Foundation 2012

Serving Culture and Education in Palestine and the Arab World