The Arab Culture Association

The Arab Culture Association

Background and Context

The Arab Cultural Association, established in 1998, is an independent, non-profit, secular association, which aims to contribute to the crystallization of the cultural identity of the Palestinian minority in Israel on a human, democratic basis. 

The ACA was established by a group of intellectuals, academics, and political activists, who linked the importance of culture to the process of social, political, and economic building of the Palestinian minority in Israel. The ACA views culture as a continuous act of creativity, which reflects modern concerns and challenges and foster the heritage of Palestinian Arab culture. Therefore, the association places great emphasis on the need to counter the policies of national and cultural deformity to which the Palestinian society in Israel is continuously exposed. 

Palestinians inside Israel are facing many challenges as a national minority. In addition to internal needs and challenges of self-definition and modernization, Palestinians also are confronted by external challenges from the Israeli government which discriminate and marginalize them. Growing out of the basic need and right for a national minority to obtain equal citizenship and fully realize its cultural rights, the ACA`s purpose was formed. 

Philosophy:

The Palestinian minority in Israel can make progress and cope with present challenges only through full awareness to the uniqueness of its own history, culture, and national identity.

* National and cultural identities are not static entities and, therefore, should not result in isolation. Instead they should be the outcome of an ongoing process of reassessment.

* The ongoing process of defining the components of the national and cultural identities should happen within an open, democratic dialogue which considers the various approaches and streams in society. However, it should be monitored by a set of national consistencies – those of progressive enlightened human values.

* The Palestinian minority currently faces two overlapping challenges. The first is inward looking; namely, the challenge of building its own institutions – whether political, economic or cultural – in a way that reflects its uniqueness, belongingness and aspiration. Part of this challenge is building a social democracy primarily characterized by absolute man-woman equality. The second challenge is outward looking, i.e.: facing the state`s discriminatory policy, ideology and institutions.

* Non-Governmental Organizations are merely a means of progression and their role is to empower the society and its sense of worth. For this reason, the ACA places great emphasis on public participation in both the planning and the implementation of projects. Accordingly, one of our association`s most important objectives is to develop young leadership.

Qualities of the ACA:

* Comprehensive understanding of Palestinians Arab culture.

* Many Professionals experts work and are associated and friends with the Association

* Ten years of accrued experience of working in civil society in the promotion and protection of Palestinian Arab culture.

* Inclusive and participatory nature of all our `action`.

* To know the right public action that has the highest impact and outcome indicators, which are set and monitored using participatory processes;

* Internal stakeholders and Outside Experts – staff, management and board  whose dedication and commitment to the promotion and protection of Arab culture and cultural rights of the community keeps our programming  innovative 

* Accrued Credibility and large social capital which can support the activities of the organisation 

Contact Details:

The Arab Cultural Association

Address: Tawfeeq Zayyad ST., Nazareth - Palestine

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: +972(4)6082352

Website: http://www.arabcultural-a.org