WORK PLAN 2010 Policy and Goals: - Raising awareness in Israel about the situation of the Arab-Bedouin population of the Negev and fighting racial discriminùׁation. - Raising international awareness about and improving the situation of the indigenous Arab-Bedouin population of the Negev through the international scene and the UN organizations. ׁ - Promoting recognition of the unrecognized villages and advocating for just distribution of land. - Creating space for Arab-Jewish cultural activity in the Negev. AREAS OF ACTIVITY AND PLANNED ACTIONS Raising awareness, disseminating information and expanding the community basis Tours: During 2010 we will conduct six tours to the Bedouin communities in the Negev. The tours are designed for groups of journalists, students, visitors from abroad and the general public. Newsletters: This year we plan to publish two printed newsletters to be distributed by mail and handed out in central venues. The newsletter will also be distributed electronically in English, Hebrew and Arabic. Electronic bulletin: This year, subject to funding, we will produce three to four electronic bulletins in three languages. Internet and email: Our goal for 2010 is to increase the number of subscribers to our mailout list by 20 per cent and to launch a membership drive to double our members. Subject to available funding, we will upgrade our website particularly the Arabic and English versions. Photography exhibition: During 2010 there will be a touring exhibition of the photographs taken by the children of Azazme in the Wadi Al Naam photography project. Partnership with Ben Gurion University students Other material: Subject to funding, the Forum plans to produce material on the unrecognized villages such as a tri-lingual booklet, "Please meet an unrecognized village" and leaflets that include facts and figures about the Bedouins in the Negev. Local media: Forum members will work with journalists to generate maximum coverage in local newspapers and radio. International Lobbying In 2010 we will intensify our international lobbying based on our past experience. This will include participating in the session of the UN Committee for the implementation of Civil and Political Rights and presenting the Forum's report, participating in the UN's Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues, and preparing the shadow report to the UN Committee for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Coexistence activities This includes celebrating holidays, Activity Days in the villages and solidarity visits to villages where house demolitions or other aggressive actions by the State occur (8 to 10 activities). Legal advocacy We will continue to file court petitions where necessary to protect the Bedouins’ civil, cultural and human rights. Local Lobbying We will further develop our connections with members of the Knesset. Multaka-Mifgash Cultural Center This is a venue for joint cultural activity withtwo functions per month, 10 spoken Arabic courses and three seminars on various issues. on various issues.   Please see activities report for 2009

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_PUBLISHEDON: 2006-05-04 (1111 _READS)