wfn.org | DSPR CENTRAL COMMITTEE & ROUND TABLE MEETINGS

[mecc <mecc@cyberia.net.lb>]

The Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees has concluded its Central
Committee meeting (May 7 - 9) and its Round Table meeting (May 10 -11).
The meeting of the Central Committee reviewed the work in the different
Areas (Gaza Strip, West Bank, Nazareth, Jordan Lebanon and Central Office)
and commended the continuing efforts of all in spite of great odds and
difficulties. 
Mr. Saleh Guirguis, the General Secretary of MECC, opened the CC meeting
with a message emphasizing on the 60th anniversary of dispossession and
assured the commitment of MECC to the Right of Return and to continuing work
on the Palestinian refugee issue and in support of DSPR work.

The Central Committee elected the Executive positions and we were privileged
to reconfirm Mr. George Hazou as a Chairperson for the next four years and
Mrs. Leila Dagher as Vice Chairperson. The Finance Subcommittee selected
Mrs. Claudette Habesch as its Chair.
Mr. Hazou gave a message in which he emphasized the voluntary spirit
involved in the work of DSPR and he offered appreciation for the confidence
given him, and for the development of the field projects and the impacts on
the beneficiaries.
Issues that were discussed during the two-days meeting included an
assessment of where DSPR is at in terms of implementation of the evaluation
recommendations; as well as the Financial Reports for 2007, which were
reviewed with the proposed budgets for 2008.

Member delegates from the different partners attended along with the CC
members the Round Table meeting as of 10-11/5/2008. Briefing on the social,
economic and political situation was presented highlighting the role that
Arab and Palestinian Christians could play in the overall unstable
environment. The possibility that there may not be a peace agreement between
the Palestinians and Israel was highlighted and the repercussions presented.
A rich discussion followed in which church relations and partnerships across
could contribute to a different Palestinian society and in fact to a
different Middle East. The contributions of indigenous Christians while
these should not be overestimated should, nevertheless, be placed in context
and encouraged by keeping Christians in the region and working to repatriate
them where feasible and safe.
Assessments of DSPR Areas were presented and discussed, and suggestion that
horizontal joint work across DSPR Areas was essential and should be
attempted. 
Partners presented each their organizations, strategies and where they see
their own organizations going in the Middle East and in respect specifically
to issues of peace and justice. Partners emphasized that DSPR presents a key
partner to them and accordingly they expect DSPR to provide them with
updated news and stories that can be used in their publications and reach
out.
The next Round Table would be on October 23 -24 2009 and will take place in
the Visitation Home Rosary Sisters in Fuheis - Jordan.
For more information contact Mr. George Hazou at: dsprchairperson@yahoo.com

>Middle East Council of Churches
>Office of International Ecumenical Relations
>P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon

Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary

mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

>+961-1-353-938
>http://www.mec-churches.org/