took place at Beit Hagefen-The House of the Vine, The Jewish - Arab Center, in Haifa, on Sunday, November 29, 1998, from 16.00 - 21.00. It was a great success and it brought new initiatives, plans, hope and courage to the hearts and minds of all participants.

PARTICIPATION IN THE 20 YEARS TO THE BRIDGE SYMPOSIUM
230 women and men participated in the symposium, from: Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Galilee, the Negev, as well as several other Arab and Jewish villages and towns, and from the USA and Europe. About half of the participants were Jewish and half were Arab/Palestinian, which also included Bedouins from the Negev Desert.

GREETINGS
The symposium was greeted by Mr. Amram Mitzna, Mayor of Haifa, who praised the work of THE BRIDGE, the women who silently work at the grassroot levels, to promote not only the status of women, but also peace, co-existence, respect and understanding between Jewish and Arab women and families, and who build strong bridges of culture between the two people.

Amram Mitzna went on to explain that Haifa is a model town of co-existence for the two people, who have always lived, worked, created, and flourished together in this beautiful city. THE BRIDGE has through the twenty years of its existence, largely contributed to the harmony, understanding and respect between the two nations, not only in Haifa, but in the whole of Israel, the West Bank and the Middle East. Now the message of THE BRIDGE is spreading to the USA, Europe, and will soon reach the rest of the Global Village. THE BRIDGE can be a model for Conflict Resolution through the work of women and mothers, to the whole of our global village. We are glad to hear of your future plans for THE BRIDGE, to bring peace to our region, and to abolish the whole concept and practice of war in the world. I am a personal friend of THE BRIDGE, and will always give it my utmost support.

Other people who greeted the Symposium were:

Judith Zilberstein - Dir. THE BRIDGE
Mary Defina - in the name of her grandmother Eugenie Khlef, Co-President and one of the Founders of THE BRIDGE
Hani Alfar - Co-Dir. Beit Hagefen
Yardena Cohen - Co-Founder of THE BRIDGE
Serena Sage - US Delegate of the Palestinian-Jewish Dialogue Group

KEYNOTE PANEL
"Women and the Promotion of Peace in the Middle East Through Cultural Bridges."

Dr. Ada Aharoni - Co-President, THE BRIDGE
Lamia De Pina - Dir. THE BRIDGE
Dr. Sarah Shalev - Dir. The Women's Network, Haifa Branch

The Panel explained that in Israel the promotion of women and of peace were inextricably linked. It is very difficult to have a meaningful advancement of women as long as there is war and conflict, as women are told "defense is more important just now." To have a real promotion of women, where there would be an equal representation, and they would hold half of the key positions in the country, as in some of the Scandinavian countries, they need to work for the promotion of peace. Women can do that, as they are the best ally of peace.

The Panel also commended the work of "The Four Mothers," and petitioned for the unilateral retreat of: 1) Israeli Troops from Lebanon as soon as possible, for "LEBANON IS A SLAUGHTER HOUSE FOR OUR CHILDREN!" 2) LENA: Ligat Nashim Negged Haflaya - The League of Women Against Discrimination," was introduced and the petition against discrimination of women in all religions, was passed, and signed by all the participants, as well as - 3) The Ban-War Petition.

WORKSHOPS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS
There were 4 exciting Workshops, led by one Jewish moderator and one Arab/ Palestinian moderator. The Workshops allowed each participant to express herself from her own personal experience, on how women and mothers can help bring peace to our region, and to our global village. Participants initiated several creative plans and programs for the coming year, on the promotion of Women and the Advancement of Peace and Non-Violence in the Middle East and in our global village.

Several participants spoke about the important role of the media, and especially the TV, and recommended that there should be more women programs and interviews, and special programs on WOMEN AND PEACE. They proposed various ways how to change the CULTURE OF CRIME on TV (which has become the main educating vehicle in the world), to A CULTURE OF PEACE, mainly through the exposure and programs on cultural bridges of harmony, and non-violence, toward a millenium beyond war. The members of THE BRIDGE were enthusiastic about the new proposals and took it upon themselves to closely examine their possibilities, and to search for funds that can make them a reality.

After BREAK AND REFRESHMENTS, there was a wonderful "Peace Culture" Program, which included moving singing, by two great singers, a Palestinian singer, Sidar, and a Jewish singer, Aviva Cohen, who sang songs about peace heroines, mothers, and love. Beautiful music was provided by Yigael Alfassi, and poignant "Women Poetry" was recited by Judith Zilberstein, Ada Aharoni and Mary Defina.

The participants were then invited to visit Beit Shagal, were the two Women Artists Exhibition by Ruth Segal and Maureen Rosen, took place. The artists explained that their paintings of people walking aimlessly, looking for a worthwhile aim in life, were really seeking for peace in themselves and in the world. Zvi, the Head of the artists organization, spoke about the development of "Women Artists", and about the promotion of women and peace through art.

CONCLUSIONS AND DECISIONS PANEL
1. Twenty years to THE BRIDGE, AND THE NEW BRIDGE IN THE 21ST:
   Joining of the Coalition of Women's NGO's.
2. Founding and activities of LENA: Ligat Nashim Negged Haflaya -
   Women's Anti-Discrimination League.
3. 100 Global Heroines Award (awarded by Rochester Women, New York).
   10 Israeli Heroines will be Awarded, by THE BRIDGE in the
   1999 SYMPOSIUM: Monday, 20 April, 1999.
4. The 20 Years to THE BRIDGE Symposium call on our leaders to find
   a way as quickly as possible to retreat from Lebanon in Peace,
   and to bring back our soldier-sons safely home.
5. Donation to THE BRIDGE are welcome.

To become members of THE BRIDGE, please contact:

NOHAD, Beit Hagefen, 2 Hagefen Street, Haifa
Tel: 972-4-8525252 - Fax: 972-4-8529166

We hope you will join us in this search for the promotion of women and peace in this exciting and important NGO.

We look forward to welcoming you in paving the promotion of Women and Peace.