P.O. Box 99604
Haifa
Israël
- Arts
- Democracy and community development
- Gender
- Heritage
- Human rights
- International/Cultural relations
- Youth and education
Association for Arab Youth-Baladna (Baladna) was founded in February 2001 as a development and capacity-building organization for Arab-Palestinian youth who are citizens of Israel. Baladna, which means home in Arabic, provides the resources and practical tools for youth activism and positive idea exchanges within the Arab-Palestinian community in Israel. It offers a non-partisan, comfortable and safe environment in which to nurture their individual and collective identity and empower them with the skills necessary to be leaders. Baladna is committed to strengthening Arab-Palestinian youth’s understanding and application of the principles of democracy, leadership, gender equality, pluralism and tolerance within discussion and debate programs regarding the history, grievances and culture of Palestinians in Israel as well as in the Occupied Territories and in the Diaspora
Focusing on topics related to identity, leadership skills, gender equality, public achievement, community service and democracy, Baladna has formed twenty-three youth groups for Arab-Palestinian youth (14-17) to participate in nationwide. A university student leads each youth group and receives a scholarship for their efforts. Baladna holds monthly workshops in Haifa to train the youth group leaders on a specific topic. The following month, they are responsible for planning a program for the youth that incorporates the skills and knowledge that they learned during the workshop. In addition, Baladna arranges national conferences and events that enable youth to interact with their peers from different regions, faiths and socio-economic backgrounds in Israel and abroad.