User:Mayor of Bethlehem


 * Mrs. Vera George Mousa Baboun, the Palestinian Bethlehemite mother of three daughters and two sons; was elected president of the Bethlehem Municipal Council in October 2012, to be the first woman to occupy the post of Mayor of Bethlehem since its inception. She holds the position of Secretary-General of the Association of the Palestinian Local Authorities APLA, vice president of global coordination of local authorities in the Mediterranean CIELM, and member of the Joint Council for the Arab- South American Relations. She holds a master degree in American Ethnic literature, and is a candidate for a doctorate degree in the same faculty. Mayor Baboun is an authorized researcher in the network GRACE for gender research for women's empowerment in the Middle East through the use of information technology. She has submitted several papers on issues of gender equality in a large number of civil and social organizations both local and international. Prior to her election, Mayor Baboun was the director of the School of the Greek Melkite in Beit Sahour. Before that she worked as a lecturer at Bethlehem University - Department of English Language and Literature, and the Dean of Student Affairs at the university for many years. In addition, she is the Chairperson of the Board of the Guidance and Training Center for child and family GTC in Bethlehem. She is as well member of a number of non - profit associations in Palestine.

The arcVision Prize – an initiative inspired by the Italcementi entrepreneurial vision – recognizes the innovation and sustainability of the projects and constructions presented, with a special focus on the standards of technological innovation, environmental quality, cost-effective use of resources, social responsibility, functional and aesthetic research. “New design concepts, different approaches to materials and construction processes, conservation of the natural environment, care for local social and cultural values. Narrated through the professional experience of female designers from all over the world, who have brought techniques, aesthetic sensitivities and different colors from all over the world,” said Italcementi CEO Carlo Pesenti. “With this award, we want to highlight the female vision of architecture as it changes and molds itself to today’s new social and human models.” http://www.italcementigroup.com/ENG/Media+and+Communication/News/Building+and+Architecture/20140307.htm http://www.arcvision.org/?p=19991&lang=en http://www.italcementigroup.com/ENG/Media+and+Communication/News/Building+and+Architecture/20130307.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTGLGoc5ucg
 * Mayor Vera Baboun: a Jury member for the arcVision Prize – Mayor Baboun was a Jury member for the arcVision Prize- Women and Architecture, an international architecture award for female designers instituted by the Italcementi Group, in its first and second edition for the years 2013 and 2014 respectively, and is invited to join the Jury of 2015 arcVision Prize. This year twenty-one designers were short-listed for the prize, from 15 countries: Austria, Chile, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, India, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, and USA. The Jury unanimously selected Ms. Ines Lobo, the Portuguese Architect, as a versatile architect, recognized for her ability to work at different scales, integrating new buildings within existing urban fabric and creatively attacking complex architectural problems. While last year's prize winner was Carla Juacaba, Brazilian architect. The short-list of finalists consisted of 19 designers from 15 countries: Brazil, Egypt, Estonia, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Thailand.

http://www.marieclaire.fr/,6-femmes-maires-a-travers-le-monde,713799.asp#?slide=2
 * Mayor Baboun is designated along with 5 other female Mayors from the world (ANNEMARIE JORRITSMA, VERA BABOUN, CÉLESTINE KETCHA COURTES, FATIMA ZAHRA MANSOURI, ANNISE PARKER, EVELYN TANG UY) to be the center of importance for the magazine Marie Claire "sixteen thousand women enter the municipal councils of small towns. Unheard of! The opportunity for Marie Claire to see how other women mayors wield power in the world." Mayor Baboun's main concern to Marie Claire is that "For the Palestinians, the priority is national liberation and they are working hard, so women's rights take second place. In my job, I can do nothing, but in my dealings with my fellow that I can help them to free themselves. We have a Ministry of Women's Affairs. There are only two in the Arab world. Plus, welcoming pilgrims from around the world while taking care of my fellow citizens facing unemployment. And above all, make that Bethlehem becomes the world capital of peace."

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/galleries/international-womens-day-mideasts-women-leaders.html?displayTab=vera-baboun
 * Mayor Baboon has occupied a space for Al-Monitor website as a Mideast woman leader. Mayor Baboun "surprised everyone when she beat other high-profile male candidates to become the first female mayor of Bethlehem on Oct. 20, 2012." She grabbed the intention of the whole world as "a Christian Arab, whose Independence and Development bloc, is composed of both Christian and Muslim Fatah members."

http://www.grace-network.net/researcher_MENA-baboun.php
 * Mayor Baboun, is an active researcher in GRACE Network for Gender Research Through the Use of ICTs.

1. Participating in the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, February 2013 and 2014 Confirming the topmost message of Bethlehem, Mayor Baboun received the International Award of "Bishop Pompeo Sarnelli" for the current year 2014, in recognition of her role and efforts in achieving peace in the City of the Nativity since her tenure as mayor of Bethlehem, through spreading the definition of the city and its noble mission to the world, and her eagerness to support the youth in Bethlehem. This award comes in light of the difficult conditions experienced by the Palestinian people confirming on the message it is time to enjoy the city and all the Palestinian freedom, justice and peace. Mayor's secretary Ms. Ekram Juha represented Mayor Baboun and received the Award on her behalf since the latter could not leave the country under the difficult situation. This Award is granted by the Cultural Foundation of "Bishop Pompeo Sarnelli" represented by its director Mr. Francesco Massimiliano, and the Municipality of Bisceglie represented by its Mayor Mr. Francesco Spina. In its eleventh edition, the idea of this award was created in recognition of the well-deserved tribute of the illustrious humanitarian Bishop Cardinal Vincenzo Maria Orsini, who was the Attorney General on the papal throne under the name of Benedict XIII. http://bisceglie24.it/serata-demozioni-per-lxi-edizione-del-premio-sarnelli-fotogallery/
 * Mayor Baboun's global message for peace from the core of Bethlehem: