Newsletter April, May & June 2014

APN prepares to celebrate the completion of the 2nd Million Tree Campaign

In celebration of planting the Second Million Trees in Palestine to enhance the resilience of farmers on their land, the Arab Group for the Protection of Nature (APN), in collaboration with its partner the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees  and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, carried out a project to plant 290,062 fruit seedlings for 9,247 acres in different areas in Palestine (Jericho, Tubas, Nablus, Qalqilia, Tulkarm, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Ramallah, Jerusalem and Gaza Strip).

The Arab Network for Food Sovereignty and its allies push FAO to apologize to Arab CSOs

 The Arab Network for Food Sovereignty pressured the FAO to provide a letter of apology due to the prevention of a delegation from Arab civil society from attending the ministerial meeting for West Asia held in Rome during the period Feb. 24 – 28, 2014.

APN and ARAMEX mark Global Earth Day by planting 1,000 trees as part of "Let's plant Madaba" initiative.

Madaba – In celebration of Global Earth Day, APN collaborated with ARAMEX and Madaba Municipality for the "Let's plant Madaba" initiative on Saturday, April 26th, as part of the Green Caravan Campaign, that aims to plant 1,000 fruit and wood trees in various areas of Madaba Governorate.

APN leads the Civil Society Mechanism in Ethiopia

APN was invited to lead the Civil Society Mechanism in the Global Consultation on Food Insecurity in Protracted Crises held by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa recently. 

APN participates in World Conference on Household Farming and Research

APN was invited to participate in the World Conference on Household Farming and Research that was organized by a group of international organizations to include Agropolis International, CGIAR, GFAR and World Rural Forum during the period 1 – 3 June 2014 in Montpellier, France.

"My Beloved Zarqa" Initiative Launch

In cooperation with Municipality of Zarqa, the Jordanian Anti Drugs Society and Dar Al-Ata' Society, APN participated in the activities of "My Beloved Zarqa" initiative aiming to rehabilitate and cultivate Al-Iskan neighborhood area on Monday 12 May 2014.

A Seminar on Permaculture

APN organized a seminar on Permaculture at Princess Iman Park / Nour Al-Baraka Society on Saturday 17 May 2014.APN volunteer and expert Salah Hammad led the discussions and introduced the principles of Permaculture and gave several success stories.

APN participates in the IEA at the Dead Sea

APN participated in the activities of the 17th World Congress of the International Economic Association (IEA) organized by the IEA and Columbia University Research Center at the Hussein Bin Talal Conferences Center with attendance of around 650 participants from all continents.

A student initiative in Qatar to support the "Million Tree Campaign" project

A group of students of Qatar University and Educational City launched an initiative at the university campus to introduce the "Million Tree Campaign" in Palestine.The initiative, in coordination with Qatari Red Crescent Committee and university students, assisted the cultivation of more than 1,650 olive trees last year in Beit Sureek village / Jerusalem. 

APN distributes more than 60,000 vegetable seedlings to farmers of west Jerusalem

APN, in collaboration with the Al-Nahda Rural Society, had completed distribution of more than 60,000 vegetable seedlings (cauliflower, cabbage, thyme and herbs) in villages to the west of Jerusalem.

APN honors OXFAM for Israeli Settlements Boycott

Amman – APN planted 10 olive trees in Palestine in the name of OXFAM as a symbolic gesture recognizing its stance to boycott all types of commercial relationships with Israeli settlements which are considered illegal by International Law due to their violations of Palestinians rights.

A Campaign to combat destruction of Burgush Forests

APN, in collaboration with a group of environmental activists and societies participated in a series of events and activities under the "Save Burgush Trees" initiative.

APN visits the "Tent of Condolences" of Agriculture and Local Farmers

In support of agriculture and farmers at the Jordan Valley, APN visited the tent of condolences of agriculture and farmers that was established by the Jordanian Farmers Association on June 2nd at Deir Alla and on June 8th – 10th in Amman.

APN represents the Arab Civil Society on agriculture, food security and nutrition in the High-level Arab Forum on Sustainable Development

APN participated in the High-level Arab Forum on Sustainable Development held in Amman during the period April 2nd – 4th, 2014 organized by UN ESCWA, the Arab League and UN Department of economic and social affairs in collaboration with Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation and Ministry of Environment.

A meeting to discuss amendments of draft Jordanian Societies Law

APN participated in a meeting held on Thursday 15 May 2014 at Ministry of Environment that included representatives of Ministry of Social Development and Jordanian Federation of Environment Societies.

APN participates in JARA Market for the 10th consecutive year

The Jabal Amman Residents' Society launched on Friday 16 May 2014 JARA Market for the tenth consecutive year. The Market shall continue in all Fridays for three months. APN, similar to the past years, is participating in the sale of handicrafts produced by volunteers.

Inauguration of Jordanian Federation for Environmental NGOs

On Monday 19 May 2014, an event was organized at Wild Jordan to announce the inauguration of the Jordanian Federation for Environmental NGOs.

Marking World Environment Day

APN participated in the activity organized by OXFAM organization on the occasion of World Environment Day at Islamic Center Society in Safut on 5th of June 2014.

A workshop for CMS teachers and students

APN organized a workshop to a group of CMS teachers and students. The topics of the workshop were environmental challenges in Jordan and environmental violations by the Occupation Forces in Palestine.

APN participates in the 3rd National Environmental Conference under the title "Water of our country is for us and our children"

APN was invited to participate in the 3rd National Environmental Student Conference organized by Al-Radwan Schools and Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

APN participates in Al-Hima Forum launched by IUCN

APN, represented by a delegation consisting of Engineer Razan Zuayter, Engineer Farah Kaddoura and Engineer Mohammad Qtaishat participated in Al-Hima Forum (Pledge and Promise) for the sustainability of natural resources and rehabilitation of dry land for west Asia that was organized in Amman during the period 6-7 May 2014.

APN participates in a World Conference on the conservation and use of wild socio-economic plants in the Fertile Crescent region

APN, represented by Engineer Zeena Al-Jaajaa participated in the world conference on conservation and use of wild socio-economic plants in the Fertile Crescent region that was conducted at Landmark Hotel and the Royal Botanic Garden in Amman on 8 June 2014 organized by Potra Project, a Royal Botanic Garden project and funded by European Union.

APN participates in "Climate Change and Adaptation Methods in Middle East" workshop

APN, represented by Engineer Mohammad Qtaishat, participated in the regional workshop for Arab civil society organizations on "Climate Change and Adaptation Methods in Middle East Region" held at Amman Landmark Hotel during the period 15-17 April 2014 and organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Media Appearances

Radio Interview on "Let's Cultivate Madaba" CampaignRadio Amn FM station hosted Engineer Mohammad Qtaishat, APN Director of Programs to promote "Let's Cultivate Madaba" campaign. In the same context, University of Jordan Radio Station hosted on Sunday 27 April 2014 Engineer Farah Kaddoura, APN Public Relations Manager to talk about activities of the campaign.