The Olive Tree Initiative  Co-sponsored by UCI's Center for Citizen Peacebuilding and International Studies Program.

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"An olive tree is not a particularly striking tree but its magic is in its roots that ensures olives for hundreds of years, even in a drought. With patience and perseverance the Olive Tree Initiative can also establish strong, deep roots, that one day will bear fruits of change in the world."

Olive Tree Initiative Students

Our Mission

Watch our Documentary

We are told, “you are the future of our country. You are the future of our world.” We believe in that and for that reason are ready to take action and do what we can to better understand one of the most significant conflicts in the world today. The Olive Tree Initiative was founded in March of 2007 by a group of students who were inspired by the need to have a forum where they, along with other students, could discuss issues concerning the situation in Israel and Palestine in a constructive and respectful manner.  We were also motivated by a desire to see for ourselves the faces and hear the voices of people whose lives are impacted by this ongoing conflict on a day to day basis.

The Olive Tree Initiative consists of a diverse group of students from organizations throughout UC Irvine's campus that wanted to learn more about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on a first hand basis. They raised over $60,000, traveled to Israel/Palestine, and met with academics, politicians, locals, etc, obtaining a wide spectrum of perspectives on the conflict. Upon their return, they began organizing presentations and forums to share their experiences and knowledge in the hopes of fostering dialogue and better understanding of the conflict between pro Palestinian and pro Israeli groups on campus and for members of the community.

THE GROUP’S GOALS

  • lessen tensions between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian student organizations and individual students
  • develop better relationships between the organizations and students who find themselves on opposite sides of the issues around Israeli-Palestinian relations
  • gather first hand information about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, citizen peacebuilding efforts in the region, the people their cultures, and sentiments about their situation
  • disseminate the results of the planning activities and the travel throughout the academic year

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Please check back often for updates on our events!



Past Events

January 14, 2009 (Wed.)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Presentation at 7:00 pm
Christ Our Redeemer Church (43 Maxwell, Irvine, CA 92618)

January 27, 2009 (Tues.)
Interview with Iranian Radio
Please tune into Channel 670 AM to listen.

January 28, 2009 (Wed.)
Beyond Stereotypes Dialogue 12-2 pm
Ring Room in the Cross Cultural Center (UCI).

February 4, 2009 (Wed.)
OTI Presentation at 7:00 pm
Temple Bat Yahm (in the Main Sanctuary) (1011 Camelback St., Newport Beach, CA 92660)

March 3, 2009 (Tuesday)
Presentation at L.I.F.E in Laguna Woods 5-9 pm
24262 Punta Alta (Clubhouse #5), Laguna Woods 92653

March 10, 2009 (Tuesday)
Intercultural Journeys: Bridging Peace--Melodies and Dialogues of The Middle East
March 10, 2009 at 7:30 pm
The UC Irvine Student Center (Doheny Beach B)


 

 

The celebrated Oud virtuoso and singer, Naser Musa and Philadelphia Orchestra cellist, Udi Bar-David, founder and artistic director of Intercultural Journeys will bring a blend of Arabic and Jewish melodies to UCI.

An open
dialogue will follow the performance with all participants, bringing
partnership between people from all different backgrounds.

*Sponsored by UCI's: CCPB and MESSI

 

April 3, 2009 (Friday)
University Synagogue event with mosque and church.
3400 Michelson Drive, Irvine at 7:00 pm
More Info TBA.

April 7, 2009 (Tuesday)
Community Event at LIFE Community in Laguna Woods
(24262 Punta Alta, Laguna Woods 92637; Clubhouse Number TBA)
More Info TBA.

April 24-26, 2009 (Friday-Sunday)
Olive Tree Initiative UC-Wide Spring Summit at UCI
Click here to view Conference Schedule
Click here to view Driving Directions/Hotel Accomodations
The Olive Tree Initiative is hosting a summit to engage and support stduent leaders who are committed to authentic and civil dialogue regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This statewide gathering promises to develop more informed student leaders and organizations on UC campuses by advancing greater understanding and cooperation. The summit will feature speakers from Israel/Palestine, a workshop on how to start initiatives like OTI, and much more.

April 25, 2009 (Saturday)
The Need for New Diplomacy in the Middle East
This event is open to the public and is part of OTI's Spring summit. It will feature a presentation from Shannon Shibata (Director of the Center for New Diplomacy in Jerusalem), Usama al Zoughbi (Project Coordinator at the Wi'am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center in Bethlehem), and Avihu Cohen (Director of Special Projects at the Center for New Diplomacy in Jerusalem). Please see this flyer for more details.

April 30, 2009 (Thurs)// 7pm - 9 pm// Irvine Presbyterian, 4445 Alton Pkwy Irvine 92604
Olive Tree Initiative presentation at Irvine Presbyterian Church
The Olive Tree Initiative will be presenting their trip to Israel/Palestine, discussing their efforts to foster dialogue between pro Palestinian and pro Israel student groups at UC Irvine, and answering questions from the audience. This event is free and open to the public.

May 16, 2009 (Sat)
Olive Tree Initiative presents at UCI's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Symposium


 

 

 

Contact Information

Mailing address


ATTN: Evonne Liew
The Olive Tree Initiative
University of California, Irvine
3151 Social Science Plaza
Irvine, CA 92697

Email

eliew@uci.edu

Phone
(949) 824-1227

 

 

 


Sameera Ali

Dana Ballout

Omar Bustami

Moran Cohen

Katharine Keith

Evonne Liew

Paul Maguire

Ali Malik

Sally Mouakkad

Amanda Naoufal

Alexandre Schmitt

Shahrooz Shahandeh

Sepi Termechi

Isaac Yerushalmi

Daniel Wehrenfennig

Faculty and Community Advisors

Dr. Paula Garb

Dr. Manuel Gomez

Tzvi Raviv