The project is planned on a long-term basis. The first phase is proposed to take 3-5 years.
A range of short and long-term outcomes are expected:
ESTABLISHING A PRESENCE
The visibility of the project and the creation of forums by which issues relating to the Old City can be discussed and information , will be the project’s primary focus. One way in which this will be achieved is through the creation of a website and the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. The p
roject, with the support of potential partners, will provide field visits, work placements and workshops for interns and academic researchers. Representatives of the project will participate in relevant forums, conferences and workshops. When possible, a permanent office will be established in the Old City.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
CREATING A HUB
This project is one of a number of initiatives that addresses key issues affecting the Old City; some of which have been ongoing for a number of years. Steps will be taken to develop a hub within the project, in which organisations can dialogue and share information regarding their initiatives, contacts and findings. We propose to be a hub; an umbrella under which projects aiming at the conservation of the Old City of Hebron or nonviolent and conflict transformative initiatives relating to the Old City of Hebron can meet one other (virtually or in person), to get to know who is doing what, to share information and contacts, to express themselves and get their initiatives better known.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
ENHANCING LOCAL CAPACITIES
Creating a local team of researchers and observers is an essential outcome expected from this project. We are aiming at creating a innovative multidisciplinary methodology based on methods drawn from social sciences, architecture, urban planning and law in order to monitor and to understand the interaction between social and environmental impacts of occupation. This elaboration of a new methodology will be done together with local universities, CBOs and NGOs. These capacities should be transferrable to other cities in the Palestinian Territories, or abroad. We aim also to support PhDs and postdoctoral research through our project.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
CREATING VISUAL & ACADEMIC MATERIAL
The visual arts, such as films, photography exhibitions or theatre, can also be incorporated into
the project as a tool for advocacy and awareness raising. Academic studies and events will work to spread our findings surrounding the situation in Hebron, the applied methodology, as well as the conceptual approaches to come. Seminars, books or scientific articles will encourage reflection and ideas-sharing between academics working in this, or related fields
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING
The expected outcomes of this project include the dissemination of information and findings, the participation in awareness-raising campaigns, the collection of testimonies and written reports. Specific reports focusing on issues such as education, marketplaces and the use of rooftops, may be written upon request from partner organisations. These will be made public through various means, including our website or events internationally and in the Palestinian Territories.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
EMPHASISING ISSUES OF SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE
The project aims to demonstrate the importance of recognising symbolic violence as a form of victimisation. Symbolic aggression can be found in the system of settlements, roadblocks or checkpoints, which leads to the reduction of mobility for Palestinians. The destruction of the built environment and the creation of hostile environments are ways to harm the values, identities and beliefs of the Palestinian people. The use of ‘soft’ violence is often underestimated despite the negative physical and psychological impacts it has on communities. It is hoped that the project will lead to a better understanding and recognition of symbolic violence among practitioners and within the wider international community. The ultimate goal would be the recognition of symbolic violence as a crime against humanity.
