}

6:50

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Opening Remarks

English/Arabic translation

Opening Remarks

Besan Abu Joudeh and Mays Kuhail from the BuildPalestine team welcome the audience to a thrilling start to two days of conversation and celebration.

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18:50

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

A Conversation with Keynote Speaker: Muna AlKurd

A one-on-one conversation with one of today’s most recognizable activists, Muna AlKurd. Muna will be speaking with Lama Amr, Executive Director of BuildPalestine about what the unity intifada means for Palestine, and how we can nourish and harness our momentum, creativity, and collective power to make concrete steps towards social and political change that can ultimately fulfill our rights to freedom, justice, and equality.

Join the conversation that will set the foundations for this year’s BuildPalestine Summit: Harnessing Our Collective Power.

Panelist:

Muna Al Kurd

Palestinian Journalist and Activist

Moderator:

Lama Amr

Executive Director @ BuildPalestine

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58:50

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Liberation Psychology in the Palestinian Context

This panel unpacks the intersection between psychology, psychoanalysis, and resistance in the context of Palestine. How do we continue to exist, continue to resist, while experiencing ongoing trauma under occupation? Where do we find not just the will, but inspiration? What other resistance models can we draw from? And what can we offer in “lessons learnt” to other struggles?

Panelists:

Dr. Samah Jabr

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Head of Mental Health Unit, Palestinian Ministry of Health

Dr. Yasser Abu Jamei

Director-General @ Psychiatrist, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme

Moderator:

Mays Kuhail

Community Coordinator @ BuildPalestine

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1:47:15

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Social Entrepreneurship Scene in Palestine: Opportunities and Challenges

Palestine is full of challenges, which means it is also full of opportunities to make a positive change. How does Social Innovation look like in Palestine? How can we use technology to solve social and environmental challenges? Are social innovators receiving enough and curated support from the entrepreneurship support organizations and stakeholders? What are other support models available in the region? This panel will provide an overview of the social innovation scene in Palestine and shed light on opportunities we should seize as Palestinians to create a better future for Palestine.

Panelists:

Hasan Abo-Shally

Social Innovator

Baker Bozeyeh

Co-Founder & CEO @Flowless 

Mona Itani

Founder @ Riyada for Social Innovation

Moderator:

Lama Amr

Executive Director @ BuildPalestine

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2:37:07

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Upskilling from Palestine: Competitive Talent in the Age of Machines

There are more than 2,500 tech graduates every year from Palestinian universities, but only 10% find jobs in their first year. With automation anticipated to take over 85 million jobs over the next 5 years, there are 97 million new jobs that will be created as a result of AI and automation (according to the World Economic Forum). How has the 4th industrial revolution impacted Palestine? What are the jobs of the future and how can young Palestinians best prepare for them?

Panelists:

Dimah Zaidalkilani

Head of Product (Infrastructure and Security) @ Asana.

Feras Kayali

Chief Technology Officer @ Harri

Hazem Khattab

Founder and Managing Director @ Jerusalem High Tech Foundry 

Moderator:

Besan Abu Joudeh

Board Chair @ BuildPalestine 

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3:27:50

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

The Role of Social Media in Strengthening Palestinian Voices

Social Media is playing an ever-increasing role in helping to center Palestinian voices and narratives, especially over the past year. This panel will explore some of the different formats and ways of telling stories that have been effective and how are these have been resonating within and outside of Palestinian communities, as well as highlighting the limitations and challenges. How has social media helped in telling our story? How far can we rely on big tech platforms when they are censoring us? And how can we measure and improve the impact of these forms of communication on more mainstream media and in decision-making circles around the world?

Panelists:

Tarek Bakri

Palestinian Researcher and Founder of "We Were &  Still Are ... Here" 

Zainab Basheer

Project Assitant @ We Are Not Numbers

Mo Maraqa

Chief Data and Technology Officer @ Civic Nation

Moderator:

Mona Shtaya

Local Advocacy Manager@ 7amleh

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4:15:10

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Owning Our Narrative and Connecting with International Audiences

Decades of hard work by activists, analysts, academics are starting to finally move us away from the Oslo paradigm, “bothside-ism” and western-imported “peacebuilding” framings, to a narrative centered around freedom, equality, and justice in Historic Palestine. What does it mean for our collective struggle and its internationalization? And how is that translating (or not translating) to political action on an international level? Given the plurality of visions within Palestinian society, how do we manage to unify our message for the outside world?

Panelists:

Amjad Iraqi

 Editor and writer at +972 Magazine

Qassam Muaddi

Journalist and Writer for Middle East Eye

Tanya Keilani

Director of Media and Audience Engagement @ IMEU

Moderator:

Inès Abdel Razek

Advocacy Director, @the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy, and Board Member at BuildPalestine

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5:00:00

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Special Talk

English/Arabic translation

Conversation with Palestinian-American actress and comedian, Maysoon Zayid

Closing and reflection with Maysoon Zayid, Palestinian-American actress and comedian, and Renad Uri. The session will address the role of the diaspora in supporting Palestine and changemakers on the ground. Maysoon and Renad will share their personal experiences as Palestinians-Americans who frequent Palestine.

Panelists:

Maysoon Zayid

Palestinian-American Actress and Comedian 

Moderator:

Renad Uri

Summit Master of Cermony 

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0:00

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Health Sector in Palestine, Challenges, and Opportunities

What does the health sector in Palestine look like today? What are the shortcomings, what work needs to be done? And where are the opportunities for improvement, innovation, and growth? Is there an untapped market for health-tech and entrepreneurs? 

Panelists:

Dr. Umaiyeh Khammash

Director @ Juzoor for Health & Social Development

Dr. Hani Abdeen

Dean of Alquds University Medical School

Dr. Fekri Mohammed

COO @ HomelyCare

Moderator:

Dr. Varsen Aghabekian

Consultant Policy and Management 

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5:20

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Innovative Models to Financially Support Impact in Palestine

Giving to Palestine isn’t an easy process. Paypal doesn’t work in Palestine, and a Palestinian registered organization can’t easily set up a Donate button on its website. All these restrictions make it difficult to give to Palestine. This panel will explore various innovative models like using Blockchain, crowd investing, peer-to-peer lending, and other ways to potentially overcome the challenges.

Panelists:

Shurouq Qawariq

Fintech Business Specialist @GIZ

Hiba Boujnah

Advisor @impactMarket

Mays Kuhail

Crowdfunding Expert @ BuildPalestine

Moderator:

Heba Anwar

Digital Fundraising Specialist

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1:33:50

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

What Does the Tech Ecosystem in Palestine Truly Need?

With hopes that technology can accelerate economic growth in Palestine, many donors have flooded the tech ecosystem, with little results to show. What are the most promising developments from the tech ecosystem in Palestine? What more is needed? And who is best positioned to fill that need?

Panelists:

Reem Qawasmi

CFO-in-Residence @ Ibtikar Fund

Daoud Ghannam

Founder and CEO @ uMake

Rabea Zioud

CEO @ Hasoub

Iyad Altahrawi

Startups Program Manager @ Gaza Sky Geeks

Moderator:

Lina Barkawi

Director, Product Development @ Mastercard

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2:22:00

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Liberation Will Not Be Funded: Alternatives to Donor Dependence

What are the structural shifts needed for the emergence of an emancipatory people-led development strategy for Palestinians? How can donor aid and funding be restructured by Palestinians themselves to bring about a solidarity- (not charity-) based funding landscape? And what are the main pillars for an alternative aid modality and framework that brings the Palestinian people closer to freedom?

Organized by:

Rawa Fund

A global movement supporting creative community-led development and innovating alternatives to traditional aid

Panelists:

Soheir Asaad

Advocacy and Strategic Communications @ Rawa Fund

Aisha Mansour

Board Member @ Dalia Association

Ibrahim Shikaki

Assistant Professor of Economics @ Trinity College, Connecticut

Moderator:

Alaa Tartir

Program Director and Policy Advisor @ AlShabaka

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3:12:25

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Universities as a Source of Innovation and Research & Development

Around the world, universities play a key role in supporting innovation through R&D and are a source of talent for startups. What is the status of innovation at Palestinian universities and how can universities be drivers of economic growth?

Panelists:

Jafar Shunnar

Co-Founder & Head of Technology
Company  @Kiitos Technologies

Alaa Shaheen

Product Manager, Freelancer

Iyad Uakoub

HR & Coach in Residence @ Localized

Moderator:

Mona Demaidi

Assistant Professor @ An-Najah National University

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Soon

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Women's Mental and Physical Health in Palestine

This panel examines the overlap between women’s mental and physical health in Palestine, and explores shortfalls in the Palestinian health care system, especially when it comes to the treatment on women. The discussion also touches upon issues relating to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s health and lives.

Panelist:

Dr. Salwa Najjab

Senior Health Advisor@ Juzoor for Health and Social Development and Vice president @ MENA Health policy forum

Hind Abu Iyada

GBV Programme Manager @ PWWSD

Moderator:

Dr.Hala Shoman

Doctor @. Save Youth Future Society

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3:59:40

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Panel Discussion

English/Arabic translation

Community Organization and Mobilization - Lessons from the Unity Intifada

In response to increasing threats to their presence in their homes and homeland, and despite the myriad of political and geographic obstacles, Palestinians came together in unprecedented ways in May to communicate their stories, coordinate their resistance and cooperate in challenging the ongoing oppression and fragmentation they face. What conditions gave rise to what came to be referred to as the “Unity Intifada”? What were the key lessons learned? What internal challenges remain in organizing effective resistance to occupation and oppression? What opportunities are there for diaspora Palestinians to get involved and support efforts on the ground?

Panelists:

Hani Al-Masri

Director General @ Masarat

Ubai Al-Aboudi

Executive Director @ Bisan Center for Research and Development

Hanadi Adameh

Researcher @ Grassroots AlQuds

Moderator:

Zena Agha

Writer, Poet and a Non-resident Scholar @ the Middle East Institute 

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4:48:48

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Closing Panel

English/Arabic translation

What's next? How do we harness our collective power to build a better future for Palestine? Concluded by performance by Marwan Abdelhamid

Closing remarks – What’s next? How do we harness our collective power to build a better future for Palestine? The BuildPalestine team will reflect on the two days summit and share the next steps. Muna Hawwa, a Palestinian journalist and content creator who contributed to igniting social media during the unity intifada by hosting activists from Jerusalem and Gaza to show the reality of what is happening on the ground with the world will also join the conversation. 

Then we will leave you with an outstanding performance by Marwan AbdAlHamid, a coming 20-year-old Palestinian artist based in the US, raised in Gaza who will perform some of his newest hits.
As we say in Arabic, ختامها مسك !

Panelists:

Muna Hawwa

Journalist and Content Creator

Artist:

Marwan Abdelhamid

Palestinian Artist and Content Creator

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Soon

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Workshop

Arabic

How To Improve the Reach of Palestinian Content on Social Media? 

Every social media platform is different. In this workshop, social media expert Khaled ElAhmad will help you re-understand the rules and culture of each platform. He will also share the most critical updates on platforms’ algorithms to use them correctly to deliver Palestinian content to a larger audience.

Facilitator: 

Khaled ElAhmad

Social Media Expert, Personal Branding Trainer and Consultant

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Special Talk

English

Performance and Special Discussion with Eman Askar

 

Eman Askar will be performing her viral song “Story of Palestine” which hit over 11M views on Instagram on different social media platforms. Eman will then move into a session to talk through her growing platform, and her involvement in creating educational videos about Palestine, and other causes and struggles.

Make sure to tune in to this one!

Panelist:

Eman Askar

Egyptian Songwriter, scriptwriter, and Content Creator

Moderator:

Sara Husseini

Director @ British Palestinian Council and BuildPalestine Board Member

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Discussion

Arabic

Towards civil society further stability! 

What are the current institutional challenges/opportunities which civil society organizations face to serve their communities? What collective reforms they can apply, and what services they can provide? This workshop will provide you with modalities to increase revenue streams and efficiency. It will also showcase success examples.

Panelists:

Hanan Taha

Managing Partner @ Business Integrated Solutions- BIS 

Mohammed Rabah

Executive Director @ The Palestinian Circus School

Omar Dahman

Executive Director @ Hebron Youth Development Resource Center

Moderator:

Reem Khalil

Country Director @ Drosos Foundation

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Soon

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Workshop

English

An Introduction to Data Storytelling with Visualizing Palestine

Visualizing Palestine creates data-led, visual resources to advance a factual, rights-based narrative of Palestine and Palestinians. In this session, a VP researcher and a designer will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a recent visual, "4 Wars Old: 14 Years of Childhood in Gaza", sharing insight into how VP's work is made.

Organized by: 

Visualizing Palestine

A project by Visualizing Impact

Facilitator: 

Jessica Anderson

Operations Manager @ Visualzing Impact

Nesreen Abd Elal

Information Designer @ Visualzing Impact

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Not Available

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Virtual Tour

English/Arabic translation

Jerusalem Virtual Tour

This is a paid tour since it is one of Grassroots AlQuds revenue streams. Book your tour from https://www.grassrootsalquds.net/ 

The Grassroots Virtual Tour of Jerusalem provides the story of the city from a Palestinian perspective and describes the political reality in Jerusalem under the Israeli occupation.

The tour covers the different Israeli policies designed to displace Palestinians from Jerusalem. These policies include the revocation of legal status, land confiscation, home demolition, the suffocation of the Palestinian economy, intentional underdevelopment and more. The tour takes you in and out of Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem and shows how these policies affect our communities. It shows visitors what it means to be a Palestinian living in the city.

Organized by: 

Grassrootq AlQuds

www.grassrootsalquds.net/

Facilitator: 

Fayrouz Sharqawi

Director @ Grassroots AlQuds