Viva Palestina Arabia is organising a seven-day summer university in Beirut, Lebabon, at the end of July with internationally known academics, writers, political figures and activists to discuss the unfolding revolutionary events in the Middle East and what they mean for Palestine and the international solidarity movement.

A message from George Galloway:

"Viva Palestina Arabia gathered together academics, politicians and activists last year in the Bekaa Valley in our first Summer University of Palestine to discuss and coordinate the struggle for Palestinian rights. Now, after the heroic Egyptian revolution has overthrown the pharaoh Mubarak, this year's Summer University of Palestine has been reorganised to address the questions thrown up by the extraordinary events in Tunisia and Egypt, which are now rolling through the region.

"Book your time off work or college now - 23 to 30 July, just before Ramadan. The university will be in Beirut, upgraded and bigger than last year. It will again have world renowned speakers. This advance notice is to ensure that if you are making plans for summer now, you know to be in Beirut from the 23 July." The university will be hosted by the Palestinian social and cultural society at the American University of Beirut. Click here to download the leaflet for the Summer University of Palestine.

This year's Summer University of Palestine takes place amidst a dramatic transformation of the political situation across the Middle East. It also takes place in the aftermath of the Naqba Day demonstrations across the world on 15th May, which are reasserting the Palestinian Right of Return, and the Gaza flotilla, due to sail in the third week of June, which is both commemorating the Israeli massacre of Turkish human rights activists aboard the Mavi Marmara and demanding an end to the siege of Gaza.

The Revolution in Egypt has helped to bring about a unity agreement between Fatah and Hamas and opened the Rafah crossing. We are bringing together academics and political figures from the West with those of the Middle East, including Leila Khaled, George Galloway and Ronnie Kasrils, in an unprecedented exchange of views and ideas about the impact of the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East. There will be speakers from both Fatah and Hamas - the principal Palestinian organisations within the PLO forming the new Unity government - as well as political organisations supporting Palestinian liberation from the Lebanese Muslim and Christian communities.

The University is going to be much bigger than last year, attracting participants from the United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Malaysia, India And Iran, South Africa, North Africa and France, Germany, Spain and the UK. They will be joining may young people from Lebanon from both the Palestinian and Lebanese communities in a unique opportunity to engage in an open dialogue.

The University takes place in the beautiful, tree lined, tranquil grounds of the American University of Beirut. This is located in Hamra, a "happening" area of Beirut. It overlooks the Mediterranean sea and the Corniche which runs along the coastline is just a coup,e of minutes walk away. A welcoming and sandy beach is just a short taxi ride.

We are not providing food this year, which is reflected in the price, but the AUB is surrounded by cheap eating places. For those who like international American cuisine, Macdonalds and Burger King, not to mention Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins ice cream are immediately outside the AUB gates. But there are plenty of other cheap places to eat which offer excellent Lebanese food. There are also coffee houses nearby offering free Wifi, so bring your laptops and I pads.

We are also pleased to announce that we have been able to upgrade the accommodation with not extra cost to you. Instead of very good dormitory accommodation, we have now secured excellent apartments with two sharing per apartment. This is located on the airport road near the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatila, a short drive to the AUB. We will provide transport to the AUB and back. We will also provide more information about the accommodation in the next couple of weeks.

One of the highlights of the University last year was the tour of Southern Lebanon. This took us to the southern border where we were able to see both occupied Palestine and the occupied Golan Heights in Syria. We are pleased to announce we have organised a similar tour this year, as well as a visit to a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut

Finally, we are negotiating with airlines to see if we can arrange discounts for those who have registered for the SUP. We will provide an update on this as soon as we have it. We will also be providing more information on the programme of events shortly. Register now to ensure you have a place on the Summer University - http://www.vivapalestinaarabia.org/