Conversation Circles
We need to talk about Palestine
Our first Conversation Circle of 2020, 'We need to talk about Palestine', will take place Wednesday, 19 February, 12.30 – 2.00pm in the IDEA Office. This will focus on two perspectives from the region: Fatin Al Tamimi, the chairperson of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign; and Patricia Owens, who recently returned from three months with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).
Fatin is a Palestinian/Irish citizen, living in Ireland since 1988. Although she grew up outside of her native country, she carries Palestine with her, and dreams of going back to live in her native city of Al-Khalil (Hebron). Her main goal is to raise awareness and work on ending oppression, inhumanity and injustice in the world and strive for peace in Palestine. Fatin believes the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement, is one of the most effective ways to promote Palestinian rights and achieve justice.
Patricia has worked in the area of education for a number of years. In March 2017, Patricia visited Israel and Palestine and the trip motivated her to do a Masters in International Security and Conflict. In August 2019 Patricia volunteered in Yanoun, a small rural village in the North of the West Bank for three months with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). As an EAPPI volunteer, she provided a protective presence and monitored human rights abuses.
