The Palestinian Child Arts Center, or PCAC, is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1994 in the Palestinian city of Hebron. Its activities primarily involve the intellectual development of Palestinian children, and to reinforce a positive role for the child within Palestinian society and culture.
The violent context within which the children have been raised has affected their behaviour and life. After the Mosque of Abraham massacre in February 1994 some children were traumatized and exhibited drastic behavioural changes. The programs run by PCAC are designed to gradually allow a child to resume normal life. The centre's mission is to fulfill the promise in its slogan, Towards a creative Palestinian child.
The Palestinian Child Arts Center conducts various activities:
preparation of educational programs for children
modernizing and updating childhood development programs for professionals
development of other programs for children in conjunction with other organizations to create a communal educational culture
conduct research on the violation of the rights of children, and publish bulletins and reports to defend those rights
to coordinate and cooperate with other organizations that focus on children
develop relationships with other Arab and international organizations whose focus is children and their rights
The centre offers numerous activities and services for both children and adults.
Children's programs:
annual Amal Al Ghad (Hope of Tomorrow), a program targeting children ages 6–12
library
arts and crafts lessons
music courses
young leaders program, for teens ages 14–18 <-- or possibly teenage boys only? -->
puppet theatre
electronic games
festivals
exhibitions
Adult programs:
leader's recruiting
public education - seminars, lectures, conferences and exhibits related to children
qualifying kindergarten teachers
qualifying advisors for summer camps
