American Professor Inspires Palestinian Youth with the Magic of Writing

Students of Jerusalem School

U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem organized a two-day writing program with Christopher Merrill, Director of the International Writing Program (IWP) at the University of Iowa. Mr. Merrill visited Jerusalem and the West Bank from March 3-6 through a grant given to the University of Iowa from the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This grant will support Mr. Merrill’s Between the Lines program, which consists of workshops in creative writing techniques targeting young writers ages 15 – 18 in the West Bank. In addition to conducting workshops, Mr. Merrill also invited a group of graduate students from the IWP program for an informal lunch in Ramallah, and to offer them words of support and guidance as they move through their literary careers. A crucial component of this program is Mr. Merrill’ emphasis on using creating writing as a tool for expression and as a medium for managing their day-to-day hardships. This initiative hopes to bring American writers to Jerusalem and the West Bank to interact with high school and university students.