Mossawa Center Summer Youth Workshops, an exceptional experience that combines civil engagement, legal rights training, and empowerment.
Last week, Mossawa Center concluded its 2025 summer workshops with the participation of more than 50 participants, from 15 different Arab localities, with a program focused on collective cultural, economic and political rights of the Arab youth, . The workshops, traditionally held annually in July, spanned 4 days during which the participants stayed at the Mossawa Center dorms at the Carmel Center.
The program was led by a group of trained mentors and graduates of previous Mossawa workshops, who guided participants through an intensive and interactive schedule. Sessions included identity-targeted activities by Ali Ali Saleh, media and communications workshop with journalist Bakr Jaber Zuabi, and a session on artificial intelligence by Bilal Zaidani. Participants also explored Haifa Arab neighborhoods of Wadi Nisnas and the German Colony through a treasure-hunt activity designed by Naeem Khalilieh, which offered a dynamic introduction to the city’s historical, cultural, and social landmarks.
The second day focused on political and legal advocacy, with a visit to the Knesset. There, the participants met with Members of Knesset Ayman Odeh, Aida Touma Suleiman, and Dr. Ahmad Tibi, and attended a session of the Youth Committee chaired by MK Naama Lazimi. Later, they visited the Bank of Israel and engaged with senior staff, including Credit Rating Division Director Ibrahim Mahajneh, to learn about the role of the central bank in shaping economic policy and the basics of financial responsibility.
On the third day, the group visited the Canadian Embassy, where they met with Ambassador Leslie Scanlon and the embassy staff to explore international advocacy and diplomacy. Participants posed thoughtful questions about Canada’s Middle East policy, Palestinian rights, and the situation of Arab youth in Israel. The day concluded with a walking tour of Jaffa, led by activist and former city council member Abed Abu Shehadeh, focusing on the city’s social and political challenges. Participants also engaged in improvisational theater workshops led by actress Ruba Bilal and actor Mohammad Eid, aimed at building public speaking confidence and self-expression at the Saraya Theater.
The camp concluded on Friday, with the participation of Mossawa Center Director Jafar Farah, who gave each participant a certificate to acknowledge their participation at the workshops. The participants described the experience as transformative, expressing that they felt like a family brought together by a shared journey of growth, learning, and empowerment.
Adam Qais, the Youth Program Coordinator at the Mossawa Center, described the workshop as “a real opportunity for youth to connect with their homeland, understand their rights, and learn how to advocate for change.” He emphasized that beyond learning, the program aimed to build an active, conscious youth network across the country and to create a space for initiatives and creativity. “At Mossawa, we believe that investing in our youth is investing in the present and future of our society. We are working to empower them to be real partners in the struggle for equality and justice,” Qais added.
Mossawa Executive Director Suha Salman Mousa reflected on the four days as “full of energy, creativity, and inspiration,” stressing that the program once again proved the enormous potential of Arab youth, who simply need the space and support to shine. She confirmed that the program has already sparked the planning of new community initiatives by the participants in their hometowns.
In its closing statement, the Mossawa Center emphasized that sustaining this path of youth engagement is a shared responsibility. The Center applauded the dedication of its staff, activists, and volunteers, whose efforts made the program a success. It reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing a new generation of leaders equipped with knowledge, experience, and the drive to create meaningful change in their communities.
