CCHP in cooperation with John Paul II Foundation arranged a workshop in this day to introduce the project of rehabilitating Dar Canawati, with the presence of Father Ibrahim Faltas, president of the foundation in the Middle East, Dr. Kholoud Daibes, and Dr. Sameer Hazboun president of Chamber of Commerce in Bethlehem, Eng. George Sa'adeh deputy mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. Hani Al-Hayek Mayor of Beit Sahour, and number of local organizations representatives.

Eng. Sa'adeh, deputy mayor of Bethlehem praised the role of the CCHP in adapting our traditional building and preserving our cultural identity, and stressed the need to protect such sites and buildings providing headquarters for the local organizations to serve the community.

Arch Issam Juha, Director of the CCHP pointed out that this project is part of the programme "Local Development through the Rehabilitation and Revitalization of the Historic Built Environment in Palestine", initiated by the centre in 2005 and funded from the Swedish Government through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency "Sida".  Through this programme, the CCHP has been able to rehabilitate more than 25 buildings in Bethlehem District, providing around 60.000 working days for more than 3.000 workers.  Moreover, Arch. Juha indicated that the CCHP and the Bethlehem Municipality will be cooperating to implement future projects in the area, such as Hosh Al-Syrian, Al-Madbasah Street and others which shall be an attraction point to locals and tourists alike.

 
Dr. Robert Tabash presented a simple explanation about the cooperation between John Paul II Foundation and Mesi Ricordia in Italy that will be assisting John Paul II in implementing its activities and programmes in Dar Canawati after rehabilitation.

  
In turn, Father Faltas thanked all who contributed to the success of this day and especially the owners of the building, and provided a simplified definition about John Paul II Foundation and their role in serving the man and the land in the Middle East, especially as the foundation is currently finishing a major hospital in southern Lebanon and building a cultural and social centre for youth in Iraq in addition to the start of emergency programme to help the Syrians refugees affected by the current situation in Syria, and praised the role of CCHP in preserving cultural heritage.

Arch. Luma Qumsieh - Khoury has submitted presentation including the strategy of the Centre in preserving cultural heritage and the implementation phases of the project, which includes the proposed designs and functions.

A Slide show by Ms. Mays Salsa', Head of Public Awareness and PR was presented to strengthen the partnership between the Centre and the institutions of civil society in order to protect the cultural heritage and preserve it, which affect in the maintenance of the elements of national identity and propel the national economy. In addition to displaying pictures of some projects of the Centre before and after rehabilitation.

In conclusion, all parties thanked Sida and the owner of the building who was cooperative in adapting his building to serve the community and its institutions