The event is at the initiative of some of our BIRMM members. Please do not hesitate to diffuse widely!
Dear network,
We are reaching out with two upcoming events this week on Wednesday, December 6: a “Sinterklaas Solidarity Action” for the children of Gaza and our long-awaited “VUB Teach in for Palestine”.
Sinterklaas is coming to the VUB on 6/12 at 12:30pm in front of Aula Q! Please bring wrapped gifts (real gifts to donate or empty boxes with wrapping paper) for the children of Gaza*. With this solidarity action we want to honor the lives lost of innocent Palestinian children and call for a permanent ceasefire! To close off this ceremony, Palestinian VUB-student Hamza Agha will recite a poem he wrote for Palestine.
Together, we will then march to D0.03 for our long-awaited “VUB Teach-in for Palestine”. Join us from 13.00-15.00!
The teach-in on Wednesday is part of a three-part series. Stay tuned for two additional teach-ins coming later this month. Please also share this information with your networks!
Our program:
1:00pm Lecture by doctoral researcher Azar Dakwar (Kent University) “Palestine-Israel: The story of a European Question”
2:20pm Personal testimony by Palestinian VUB-student Alaa Fadil
2:30pm Talk by postdoctoral researcher Omran Shroufi (VUB)
2:50pm Poem by Palestinian VUB-student Hamza Agha
We will start with a lecture by doctoral researcher Azar Dakwar, who will speak on the genesis and evolution of “Palestine-Israel” as a European ordeal and interrogate Europe’s role and political responsibility (and lack thereof) as a means to imagining an alternative state of affairs in Palestine/Israel.
In the second part of the 6/12 VUB Teach-in for Palestine, we will hear testimonials from postdoctoral researcher Omran Shroufi (VUB) and VUB-student Alaa Abu Jasser. Omran Shroufi will share reflections on his time living and working in Palestine. Alaa Abu Jasser will share a heartfelt personal testimony shedding light on the current situation in Gaza. Alaa is Gazan herself and has lost a lot of family members in the attacks by the Israeli occupation forces of the past two months.
Concluding the Teach-in for Palestine, immerse yourself in the powerful words of a poem recited and written by Palestinian VUB-student Hamza Agha.
Please note that our teach-ins are intended to promote education and critical thinking. We aim to foster an inclusive and respectful space – hate speech will not be tolerated.
We hope to see you all on Wednesday 6/12 at the teach-in and ‘Sinterklaas’ Solidarity Action on the Etterbeek campus!
Sincerely,
VUB Palestine Solidarity Network
*All gifted toys and presents will be donated to an organization benefiting underprivileged children.
