CONFERENCE ON FEMINIST THOUGHT AS A TOOL FOR RESISTANCE

MADA AL-CARMEL, THE ARAB CENTER FOR APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES
IS HOLDING ITS 1ST INTERNATIONAL FEMINIST CONFERENCE
To be held in Nazareth & Birzeit, June 28-29

Haifa, IL – June 13, 2007–Mada al-Carmel launches its first International Feminist Conference entitled "Palestinian Voices: Feminist Thought As A Tool For Resistance". The conference aims to create the critical atmosphere essential for theorizing the voices of Palestinian women, in attempt to build a resisting and counter-hegemonic consciousness. It will be held on June 28 and 29 at Al-Ein Hotel in Nazareth and at Birzeit University..
The conference is initiated by the Gender Studies Program at Mada in collaboration with the Women Studies Institute at Birzeit University. It will bring together feminist researchers, theorists and scholars from interdisciplinary areas with the purpose of making the voices of feminist academics and activists heard, and disseminating their research and practical experiences. Among the guests will be Dr. Abdulhadi Rabab, Professor Of Ethnic Studies, San Fransisco State University; Prof. Rosemary Sayegh, Anthropologist and Oral Historian; Dr. Sherene Razack, Professor of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, University of Toronto; Prof. Jacqui Alexander, Gender Studies Program, Toronto University, Canada.
International Peace Activist and Nobel Prize Winner Mairead Corrigan, states in a letter of support sent to Dr Nadera Kevorkian, Director of Gender Studies Program at Mada:
"This is an important and historic gathering of Palestinian Women on the theme 'Feminist Thought as a Tool for Resistance'.. it is important for the voices of the Palestinian women calling for nonviolent resistance to occupation and injustice, to be heard and represented at every local and international forum, particularly to media. This will not only empower many Palestinian women, both within Palestine and outside, but will give guidance and encouragement to many of us around the world who wish to join with you in solidarity in nonviolent resistance to the occupation of Palestine and support your work for justice, human rights, and the upholding of International Law for the Palestinian people". (Mairead Corrigan, June 2007).

Transmitting the voices of Palestinian women who have been suffering from oppression, researchers and activists alike, makes their experiences available for academic evaluation and critique; and creates space for the elaboration of common grounds. Moreover, the conference attempts to articulate the location of Palestinian feminists; and how they can cooperate to transform their voices, writings and research into tools for resistance.

To download the conference program clik here.

MEDIA INQUIRIES
ARABIC: ALAA YOUSEF
MOBILE: 052-3361720
ALAA_YO@MADA-RESEARCH.ORG

FOREIGN: GEORGETTE HANNA
MOBILE: 054-5424024
GEORGETTE.HANNAH@GMAIL.COM