Dr Mark Bennister, Reader in Politics at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), met with Khalifeh Ad-Dayyet, Mayor of the Deir Alla region of Jordan on 15 September. Dr Bennister arranged for the Mayor to visit Parliament, aided by the CCCU Politics alumna Bronwen Edwards in the office of Barry Gardiner MP. The Mayor is travelling to the UK to raise awareness of sustainable development peace building initiatives he is leading in the Jordan Valley as part of EcoPeace (formerly Friends of the Earth Middle East). EcoPeace bring together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists. The primary objective is the promotion of cooperative efforts to protect the shared environmental heritage. EcoPeace seeks to advance both sustainable regional development and the creation of necessary conditions for lasting peace in the region. In this unique cross community grassroots initiative Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith of the Harrow and Wembley Liberal and Progressive synagogue is hosting the Mayor’s visit.

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