AFAC launches call for applications for 2nd cycle of NACPArab Parliament hails Aqaba summit outcomes

The call for applications for the second cycle of the North Africa Cultural Programme (NACP) is now open, the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) said on Monday. "Taking the five North African countries, namely Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Libya and Morocco as primary focus, the NACP aims to strengthen independent arts and culture entities, including institutions, collectives, networks, and spaces- with an emphasis on regional partnerships, and a particular focus on engaging young audiences and extending outreach to underserved or remote areas beyond urban centers. Furthermore, NACP provides tailored capacity-building, training, and mentorship opportunities to the organisations and projects it supports within the programme. The NACP is carried out by the AFAC, with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The overall goal of the NACP is to strengthen intercultural dialogue, solidarity and livelihoods especially among young women and men and empower creative expression as a vehi cle for change. The first cycle of the program benefited more than 50 cultural organisations and over 2,500 practitioners and professionals, through diversified grants, training, events, and encounters that offered opportunities for networking and exchange among participants. Deadline is set for March 5. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse Cairo: The Arab Parliament hailed the outcomes of the trilateral Jordanian-Egyptian-Palestinian summit held between His Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Parliament Speaker Adel Al-Asoomi said that the summit reiterated the importance of an immediate ceasefire and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. He went on to say that the summit confirmed three red lines that must not be crossed in any case regarding the situation in Gaza: rejection of forced relocation of Palestinians, rejection of the liquidation of the Palestinian cause, and rejection of re-occupy the Gaza Strip. Al-Asoomi underscored the Arab Parliament's support for all Arab efforts to combat attempts to abolish the Palestinian cause. He urged for an immediate halt to the Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip, the protection of defenseless civilians, and the permanent and adequate delivery of relief and humanitarian aid to the Strip. Source: Jordan News Age ncy