Middle East Association of Training and Retreat Centers
MEATRC
 

Activities' Report 2000/2001

At the September meeting in Loccum, Germany, the representatives of the different regional associations have chosen the issue of “Non-violence/conflict resolution/ reconciliation/mediation” as a common theme and global focus for the period from 2000 – 2005. Accepting the theme, MEATRC has also emphasized the need to have a period of two years in which it will work on building the capacity of the different member centers in the association so that they can effectively deal with the proposed common theme. To achieve its two-year plan, MEATRC planned a variety of regional and sub regional training programs. Some of theses training programs have already been implemented; others are scheduled to take place in the second half of this year 2001, while others were postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. A number of activates that have the same focus are planned for the year 2002.

The training programs, both regional and sub-regional, have the stated aim to accomplish the following:

I- Activities Implemented

1. Two Executive Committee meetings

a) November 2000, at Aiya Napa Center-Cyprus

The Executive Committee’s discussion focused mainly on:

1-     The role that MEATRC will play as the host of the Global CLLT and the different preparations that have to be made.

2-     Discussing and studying the new membership requests from Syria and Lebanon and looking at putting a new criterion for membership in MEATRC. 

3-     Cooperation with Vesper Society and the necessity of using this opportunity to build the capacity and infrastructure of the different member centers. 

b) May 2001, at Bakfaia, Lebanon

The Executive Committee’s discussion focused mainly on:-

1.      The proposed budget plan for OIKOSNET

      The Executive committee agreed on the suggestion B that suggests distributing fund as follows

§         75% by equivalent between the various associations

§         25% depend on the number of the member centers of each association.

2.      The CLLT preparations and the visiting communities in the 4 different host countries and Cyprus

3.  The remaining activities for the year 2001

     After reviewing and modifying the final budget for 2001, the executive committee focused on:

     “ The Effective Leadership ”

4.      The next executive committee meeting- Cyprus, Nov. 2001.

5- Co-operation with Vesper Society

Concerning the training on Electronic Communication (Internet) for MEATRC members, the decision was to inform Mr. Rich Watson that the executive committee focused on two options (meetings):

First, to hold one course at Dar El-Inaya, in Saida- Lebanon for the member centers in Syria and Lebanon, with two persons from each center, and another meeting in Egypt for the member centers from Jordan, Palestine and Egypt.

Second, if the first suggestion is not appropriate for Vesper Society financial situation to cover both meetings, the committee suggests holding one meeting only for all in MEATRC member-center (one participants from each center) and that can be held in Egypt where every one from the region can come 

2. Sub- regional training programs

1. A one-day workshop, which took place in Cairo - Egypt on 11^th October 2000. Twenty-five participants from the local community and MEATRC member centers working on development programs and training in Egypt attended the workshop.

The workshop was organized by MEATRC in cooperation with Vesper Society, and was entitled “Introduction to the Electronic Communications”

3. Regional training programs

MEATRC has run a training course on “ Designing, Formulation and Marketing of the projects “ at the convent of the Antonian nuns in Bakfaya – Lebanon, from 14 – 18 May 2001.

This program was one of MEATRC strategic purposes especially for capacity building of the centers. The number of the participants was 18 persons from the member centers in Egypt, Lebanon and Syria

Centers directors from Palestine and Jordan could not participate due to the political constraints.

The main subjects that were presented and discussed at the training program were as following :   

1. The project cycle and stages

2. Bases of the project designing

3. The plan of the project management and its detailed program

4. The project budget and financial plan

5. The plan of the project following up and evaluation

6. The financial resources and information document about the donators

7. Building relationship with the donors

Workshops:

1)      Most of the subjects have been discussed with applied exercises

2)      The participants designed a draft of three projects, with detailed program

3)      Participants and the trainers exchanged information about donor organizations.       

 II- Activities scheduled for the second half of 2001

1. Hosting and participating in the Global CLLT, “To Be Instruments of Peace,” which will be held in Cyprus and will include visitations to Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. The CLLT will be held between 29 Septmebr-20 October.

2. A three-day training workshop in October 26-28, 2001 at Mar Jirjis Center in Syria for 25 participants from member Centers. The workshop is entitled “Effective Youth Leadership” and the training is for individuals working with the youth at these member centers. 

3. A workshop in Itsa Center, in al-Minia/Egypt for member centers entitled the “The Concept of Funding for Organizations”.

4. Using the Web Site of MEATRC to create a web page for the association, which will include the newsletter, MEATRC’s manual, and the agenda for the year 2002. 

5. Executive Committee meeting in Cyprus in November 2001.

III- Activities Cancelled

1.  Regional training program on e-communications:

An electric communications workshop for the Directors of the member centers in MEATRC was planned to take place in October 2000 in Bethlehem, Palestine. The workshop, entitled “Preparing My Center for Electronic Communication”, was to be conducted by Vesper Society and hosted by the International Center of Bethlehem. Due to the Aqsa Intifada, the workshop was postponed. Other venues will be sought for holding this workshop. If conducting this training program will not be possible in 2001, it will be carried to the year 2002.

Planned Programs for the Year 2002

The Activities planned for the year 2002 will continue the process of capacity building, financial viability, and the establishment of a viable electronic communication network system between the member centers. Such activities will be on a regional and sub-regional levels:

1. A regional training workshop that will be held in May or June of 2002 and which will focus on creating an effective network among the different centers that can facilitate the process of exchanging information and connect the member centers to a wider global net. Such net will allow MEATRC centers to communicate with the other member associations in the OIKOSNET and to use their experiences on capacity building. Also, it will allow MEATRC member centers to stay abreast of the discussion that is taking place on the common theme of “Non-violence/conflict resolution/ reconciliation/mediation” that was selected as a common theme and global focus for the period from 2000 – 2005.

2. Three sub-regional training workshops in Egypt, Syria/Lebanon, and Palestine/Jordan focusing on creating a more effective sub-regional system of networking.

3. Two executive committee meetings.