The war in Iraq has done untold damage to civilians in Iraq and the surrounding regions, where many Iraqi refugees have fled. As the war rages on the refugee situation is worsening and requires ever-more attention. Meet with Iraqis to hear first-hand accounts of conditions on the ground; talk with them about their view of the American occupation and prospects for reconciliation in post-occupation Iraq. Learn about the political situation in both Jordan and Syria by meeting with academics, activists, business people and humanitarian relief workers. Hear their perspectives on the status of refugees and the role of the US government in their respective countries. Join Global Exchange in observing and beginning to understand the dynamics between the Iraqi refugee population and the existing Palestinian population present from the 1948 and 1967 wars.

Program Highlights:

• Meet with representatives of women's and international relief organizations working with Iraqi refugees to learn about the impact of the war.
• Meet with international human rights and relief organizations continuing their work in Iraq while based in Amman.
• Speak to businessmen managing enterprises in Iraq from Jordan, and hear their views on the US occupation.
• Hear from an Iraqi civil engineer, blogger and mother of three whose son was kidnapped in 2005.
• Enjoy one night in Petra, Jordan's stunning ancient city carved in red rock.
• Meet with an Iraqi professor of political science to learn about the situation of academics in Iraq.
• Meet with the UN High Commission on Refugees to learn about how the United Nations is responding to the millions of Iraqis made refugees by war and instability in the region.
• Meet with UNRWA representatives in a Palestinian Refugee Camp in Jordan to learn about the history of the camps and Palestinians prospects for a viable and peaceful future.
• In Syria, discuss the situation of Palestinian refugees at the UNRWA office, and meet with a Palestinian youth organization in Al-Yarmouk camp.
• Visit the historic Umayyad Mosque and adjacent souq of Damascus.

Cost: 5-7 participants $2950; 8-10 pax $2500; 11+ pax $2100

Price Includes:

• Double room accommodations (Single rooms are available for additional cost at single price $300)
• Two meals/day
• On-ground transportation
• Trip leaders and translator
• All program activities; honoraria to all host speakers, organizations and communities
• *Global Exchange will procure group visas to Syria
• *Fundraising materials and a limited number of partial scholarships are available.

How to Register:

This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.

Make your reservation online now!

Contact Middle East with any questions about this trip, or call toll-free 1-800-497-1994 .