2^nd February, 2007

See more photos of the participation

Between the 20^th and 25^th of January 2007, delegations from various Palestinian organisations and networks in the West Bank, Gaza Strip,  Palestinians living inside Israel, and Syrian Golan Heights, attended the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya. Among the delegations was an eight-member strong group from OPGAI – Occupied Palestine and Syrian Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative.

Other Palestinian participants included: Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), Ittijah (Union of Arab Community Based Organisations), Coalition for Jerusalem, the Grassroots Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign.

OPGAI representatives organised and took part in several workshops, mainly focusing on the Boycott - Divestment - Sanctions (BDS) Campaign. Representatives were also involved in several other workshops, including Anti-War workshops and panels , Food Sovereignty and Occupied Arab Territories.

Several meetings took place with Arab and international networks and organizations, including the European Committee and Communication for Palestine (ECCP) and Peace for Life, International South  Group Network (ISGN) . Positive actions included the initiation of a new Arab network called the Alternative Initiative Network. This was just one of the many new partnerships discussed between the numerous international organisations..

The EJ YMCA Rehabilitation Program Mr Nidal Abu-Zuluf, coordinator of the OPGAI delegation, and Shireen Basha from Bisan Centre, member from PNGO delegation, met with Dr Kenneth Kaunda, the so-called "Ghandi of Africa", ex-president of Zambia and founder of the Peace Foundation and discussed the Middle-East conflict.

During the Forum, a previously prepared joint statement from the Palestinian networks was distributed amongst all the delegations from around the world. The OPGAI delegation also took part in a pro-Palestine demonstration, to raise awareness of the Palestinian struggle.