We are a small group from the Palestinian community living in Dublin, Ireland who came here to study, work and make a living. It is very natural for Palestinians to be proud of their identity and support their people’s rights and culture. We as a Palestinian group living in Ireland have a message to carry and to make our plight known.

1) What does  the term “Global Citizenship” mean to you?

Project Coordinator Ms Fatin Al Tamimi:

To me “Global Citizenship” means that we are all citizens of this globe, act and work together to build awareness and promote justice and equality for more just world.

The youth participants:

Akef and Ala
Global citizenship means that I can be part of a bigger community.
It means being mindful that we all live on the same planet and that our actions can have an impact on people in other parts of the world. And to respect all humans regardless of nationality, race and religion.

Alaa
To me, global citizenship basically means that you are a citizen not just of your country of origin, but to the whole world. What I mean by this is knowing and taking care of our rights and responsibilities towards the earth, towards each other and having justice and equality around the world.

2) Why do you think it’s important for young people to engage in an exchange programme like this?

Project Coordinator Ms Fatin Al Tamimi:

It is important for young Palestinian people and other teenage students in Ireland to engage in a Programme like this to develop a sense of identity and self-esteem. To be more aware of what’s happening in the other countries around the world and to open up to learn about other cultures and find ways to work through the differences and find solutions to problems like poverty, injustice, human-rights, war and the environment.

The youth participants:

Akef and Ala
It’s important because you become more open minded and learn about other people around the world.
We think all students, Palestinians and others in Ireland should be involved in programmes like this to show the world that we will not be quiet and we will stand for Palestine. And we will all unite as one group.

Alaa
Many are not aware of the situation in Palestine and have very little or no knowledge of the issues since it is not taught in schools and is not part of the curriculum. Some people don’t know that Palestine even exists. Getting information from primary sources (in this case the Palestinian students) to tell them about Palestine and their experience as Palestinians would be more effective than reading about Palestine in a book or over the internet.

3) What would you say directly to the young people in our schools network?

Project Coordinator Ms Fatin Al Tamimi:

I would like to encourage young people to recognize all human beings as equals, think beyond boundaries of place, identity and category then work together towards justice and equality for all.

The youth participants:

Akef and Ala
We would say that you have to be open-minded and not believe everything on the media because it can be biased and one-sided. We would like to thank everybody for taking part and trying to help the Palestinians against the Israeli occupation.

Alaa
We want to have the right to be in our country. Our dream is that one day we will return to our homeland. As Nelson Mandela said ‘’our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.’’ So please don’t turn a blind eye to Palestine.