This article is from the University of Manchester students news paper (student direct)
The Right to Education Campaign at Birzeit University was launched early 2003 by a group of students and academics at Birzeit University. It is based at the Public Relations Office of Birzeit University and functions as part of the international outreach of the University.
The Campaign is run by a committee and the Campaign Committee is composed of faculty and administrative staff from a number of departments and institutes within Birzeit University. It is a volunteer committee that brings together individuals with skills, knowledge and experience directly relevant to the campaign.
The Right to Education campaign calls on trade unions, education institutions, organizations and social and political movements around the world to affiliate to the Right to Education Campaign and support students, teachers and education in Palestine.
Affiliation to the Right to Education Campaign is a means of building an international coalition of organizations to collectively campaign in support of Palestinian students, teachers and educational institutions. Affiliating organizations will be kept in touch with bi-monthly news and campaign updates.
The core aims of the Right to Education Campaign are:
a. To document, research and raise awareness of the issues facing Palestinian education under Israeli military occupation.
b. To build an international campaign in support of the rights and academic freedom of Palestinian students, teachers and educational institutions.
c. To provide legal representation for Birzeit University students and faculty arrested, detained or deported by the Israeli military authorities.
d. To oppose the illegal Israeli occupation and its attacks on Palestinian education, demanding the right to education and unimpeded access for all Palestinians to their educational institutions.
The Right to Education Campaign is engaged in activities in Palestine and worldwide through a growing international network of support. here is a brief about some:
Monitoring and Research
A key component of the Right to Education Campaign is the provision of documentation and research into the impact of Israeli policies of occupation on the Palestinian education system. Through the Right2Edu website and email updates, the Right to Education Campaign disseminates information on the daily violations against Palestinian students and teachers and their educational institutions.
A Caged Bird’s Song
Filmed in the spring and summer of 2003, the film joins students and teachers on their everyday journey to reach their schools and universities under the regime of military roadblocks. Basic activities associated with educational life: reaching class, going home, attending graduation, have become immense challenges. In continuing to make the difficult journey, students and teachers assert their right to education and a future. The Right to Education Campaign is distributing copies of the film to universities and film festivals worldwide.
Gaza Students Campaign
The Campaign bring back the four Birzeit University students who were illegally deported to Gaza in November 2004, and demand the right of all Palestinian students to study at any university in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in accordance with international law.
South Africa Study Tour
In February 2004, a group of ten young Palestinians and students from the Right to Education Campaign went on a study tour to South Africa. Learning about the South African experience of resistance against apartheid and democratic transition enabled participants to draw parallels and view the Palestinian situation from a wider perspective. It proved to be a rewarding two weeks of exchange, forging new friendships and taking home new ideas for models of organization and activism.
International Academic Petition
In order to raise the profile and provide strong academic legitimacy, the Campaign developed a petition for academics of international stature to sign in support of Palestinian students’ right to education.
Ismat Kassis
The Right to Education Campaign
