1 - BASIC PLATFORM

We believe that literature can promote freedom and the enrichment of the quality of life. On the threshold of the twenty first century, we shall endeavor to pave the way towards the fulfillment of our main ideal "one world and one humanity, all living in peace". It is our goal to help build a Middle East and a world beyond war by means of literature, culture and bridges of understanding and respect between people and nations.

This endeavour is in harmony with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights embodied in the Charter of the United Nations. It is likewise the basic platform of IFLAC. We strive for freedom of speech and expression, and for freedom of hostile and oppressive violence, whether it be war or physical, mental or moral oppression. We believe in the liberty of people everywhere, and in their rights to pursue their various human endeavors, and to obtain equal civil justice.

2 - ACTIVITY

The founding of IFLAC is a continuation of "The Friends of Literature Association," that was founded in 1985 in Haifa, Israel, and was registered as a Voluntary Association in 1987. There are ten branches in Jewish, Arab and Druze sectors in Israel, actively and harmoniously working together. We hold regular literary and cultural meetings: Lectures, Poetry Readings, Story Telling, New Books celebrations and interviews, Literary Weekend Seminars, Literary Festivals, Symposiums, Congresses, Jewish and Arab Writers' Meetings and Workshops, and Women and Youth activities. In 1996 we set up a TENT OF PEACE (TOP) in the Druze Village, Ussfiya, on Mount Carmel. In the Tent of Peace are held inter-cultural monthly meetings, and Israeli - Palestinian Cultural Dialogues. In 2002, despite the hard times the region is going through, we have doubled these fruitful meetings and happenings, as they are more needed than ever. Only through renewed trust, understanding and respect between Israelis and Arab / Palestinians can the hope for a full and lasting peace be attained.

3 - PUBLICATIONS

We publish a monthly Newsletter which includes information about activities in all the various branches. We also publish a yearly Anthology: GALIM (WAVES): LITERATURE, CULTURE AND ART. To celebrate the 8th year of GALIM, we have published a tri-lingual GALIM - WAVES OF PEACE ANTHOLOGY in Hebrew, Arabic and English, which includes: peace articles, stories, poems and literary criticism and articles on culture and society. The Anthology is dedicated to the memory of Itzhak Rabin. The Anthology GALIM 8, as well as GALIM 9, on "The Culture of Peace," have been very successful, and are used as Textbooks in Peace Education around the world. All IFLAC books are available on amazon.com.

4 - INTERNATIONAL BRANCHES

IFLAC HAS BRANCHES IN TWENTY COUNTRIES, AND YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN. Please visit our website for details.