The Palestine Museum of Natural History – Bethlehem University held a launching event for the “Building the Capacity to Protect the Palestinian Land and Heritage through Museology and Ecotourism” Project on Tuesday, 27 November 2018.
The project is funded by the British Council through the Cultural Protection Fund and is implemented by the Museum in partnership with Masar Ibrahim (Abraham Path).
The project aims to preserve and protect the Palestinian cultural heritage related to natural and agricultural history in Palestine.
Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh, Director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability and the Palestine Museum of Natural History, stressed the importance of preserving and protecting the Palestinian cultural heritage because of the threats posed by the occupation.
Caroline Khalaf, Deputy Director of the British Council, explained the role of the British Council in supporting Palestinian projects in the field of preserving the Palestinian cultural heritage.
Samah Qumsiyeh, representative of the Abraham Path, gave a presentation about the path to raise awareness about the Palestinian cultural heritage.
Ibrahim Al-Bandak, Project Manager, explained the objectives of the project and its expected outcomes.
Elias Handel, the Museum Zoologist at the Palestine Museum of Natural History, gave a brief presentation of the museum’s vision and mission to study the natural history in Palestine.
The project launch event included a stakeholder consultation meeting with researchers to identify the challenges faced and to provide advice and guidance on fieldwork.
An open discussion followed