In accordance with General Assembly resolutions 32/40 B of 2 December 1977 and 65/14 of 25 January 2011 the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), organized a series of events to observe the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The purpose of these activities, in addition to highlighting solidarity with the Palestinian people, is to raise awareness on issues pertaining to Palestine and the plight of the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights.

 

While around 1000 persons attended the various activities, the observance received wide media coverage which was manifested in a total of 32 news articles (print and online), which received 1,200,000 impressions from print exposure 3,300,000 hits from online on different websites, in addition to 18 TV airings during peak times as well as 2 radio airings during peak times.

The activities included an official ceremony, held at the United Nations House in Beirut, where around 250 persons attended, including Arab and international diplomats, Lebanese and Palestinian officials, representatives of civil society organizations, academics, journalists and UN staff. The ceremony included official statements of ESCWA, the UN Secretary-General, the Government of Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority. A Palestinian youth/activist from the occupied Palestinian territory also delivered a statement, in addition to the keynote address delivered by former minister Ronald Kasrils from South Africa.

Aside the official ceremony, ESCWA organized a series of cultural activities at the UNESCO Cultural Palace and at the American University of Beirut. As such, 800 persons attended four exhibitions, a poetry recital Palestinian Poet Tamim Barghouty, launching of the 2012 Ghassan Kanafani Calendar, and a screening of the Film “Route 181”, that were organized in this context.

The four exhibitions that were organized were:

-   Zakira (Memory): Photos by Children from Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon

-   Photos from Palestine

-   Palestinian Handicrafts Exhibition

-   Poster Exhibition: The Palestinian Cause through Posters