Activities at Ibdaa

International exchange

Ibdaa promotes exchanges between the camp's youth and the international community through the Ibdaa Dance Troupe's visits abroad, participation in international forums and conferences, and by receiving groups in Dheisheh.

Students, journalists, solidarity groups and volunteers stay at the Guesthouse to learn firsthand about Palestinian refugees, while the camp residents get exposure to public opinion and cultures from other countries.

	Dance Troupe Ibdaa's renowned dance troupe of ten boys and ten girls has perfomed in festivals and events in Palestine and more than ten countries around the world. Through traditional folkloric dance and theater, the troup depicts the history and aspirations of Palestinian refugees. Ibdaa dancers have performed en Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, USA. while on tour, the performers meet with local organizations, public officials, youth groups, schools, cultural organizations and media outlets to speak about the situation in Palestine as well as to learn about the struggles of people world-wide.
International Visits: Ibdaa participates in many international delegations. Last summer the dance troupe was able to speak with the prime minister of Sweden about the situation in Palestine. This summer, a Swedish delegation visited Dheisheh. Ibdaa youth were able to return the favor, braving checkpoints and closures to introduce them to President Arafat.
	Last Spring, the Ibdaa women's committee sent a delegation to Sweden to meet with Swedish women's organizations to participate in workshops and to speak about the situation of women under occupation in Palestine. During the Swedish delegation's visit to Dheisheh, the Women's Committee showed the group around the camp, and hosted a goodbye picnic lunch.

Email and video conferencing Ibdaa youth and adults have participated in structured discussions with youth groups and organizations around the world. Most recently, we set up a video conferencing system to be able to participate is discussions about Palestine with groups in Japan.