Join CMEP on April 28, 2021 (16:00 IST | 9:00 EST) for a webinar featuring local organizations working in Gaza. Beth Oppenheim, the Director of International Relations at Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement, and Bassam Nasser, the Head of Office in Gaza for Catholic Relief Services, will speak about their work and experiences as humanitarian workers and human rights advocates dedicated to serving the people of Gaza. Facilitating this discussion will be Craig Swandby, a Senior Policy and Legislative Specialist at Catholic Relief Services

CMEP’s Journey with Peacemakers elevates the voices of Israeli and Palestinian leaders dedicated to bringing peace to the Holy Land through a  series of stand-alone webinars. In this period of travel restrictions, join CMEP on a virtual journey to the Holy Land and learn about the various ways organizations and individuals continue to work for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine.

Participants: 

• Beth Oppenheim (Gisha): Beth holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Cambridge. Before joining Gisha, Beth was a research fellow at a leading European think-tank, the Centre for European Reform, in London. Her writing focused on EU foreign policy in the Middle East, and she hosted the in-house podcast. She comments for print and broadcast media, including the BBC and Reuters. Beth has also worked as a senior researcher for the political historian Anthony Seldon, and as an advocate and caseworker at the Hackney Migrant Centre in London.
  
• Bassam Nasser (CRS): As Head of Office for Catholic Relief Services in Gaza, Bassam Nasser leads a team in Gaza City focused on providing assistance for the most vulnerable populations throughout the country. He also works closely with local partners and helps them bring vital programs to people in the community. Bassam has more than 15 years of experience in humanitarian aid, having worked with USAID partner organizations and the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution before joining CRS in 2010. Bassam is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew and English.
  
• Facilitator: Craig Swandby is a Senior Policy and Legislative Specialist at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with a focus on humanitarian policy, the regulatory environment, and the Middle East. Based in Washington, D.C., Craig identifies barriers to delivering effective humanitarian assistance and works with USAID, the Department of State, and Congress to find policy and legislative solutions. He works hand-in-glove with CRS’s West Bank and Gaza (WBG) response and co-chairs the WBG working group for InterAction, the largest alliance of international NGOs and partners in the United States. Previously, he worked at World Vision, where he supplemented his DC-based advocacy with assignments and consultations in WBG, Iraq, South Sudan, and their Syria Response in Jordan. 

*Why is CMEP asking for donations for these events?

Due to Covid-19 all of our in-person programming has been canceled since March 2020 and this will continue to be the norm until at least Fall 2021. As a nonprofit advocacy organization, our advocacy summits and other events are one of the main streams of income we have as an organization. CMEP Journeys is our attempt to offer creative and interesting opportunities to our community. We understand that the cost can be prohibitive for some which is why we are asking for “suggested donation” amounts as we do not want to exclude anyone.