The Freedom Theatre wishes to inform all partners and friends of changes in its leadership.
Jonatan Stanczak, co-founder of The Freedom Theatre who has been the managing director for five years, has resigned from his position. He will continue to work as a member of staff at The Freedom Theatre.
Mustafa Sheta, who was previously the secretary of the board of The Freedom Theatre, has taken on the role of general secretary, acting as a link between the members, board and staff with the aim of strengthening the organisation’s identity and sustainability.
“It was a great pleasure and honour for me to suggest to the board that Mustafa become the general secretary”, says Jonatan Stanczak. “It is part of an ongoing process in The Freedom Theatre to stimulate the creativity, responsibility and commitment of all staff members. My hope is that with the new organisational structure, we will become even stronger in our ability to oppose the oppression that the Palestinian people are subjected to.”
Read Jonatan Stanczak’s resignation speech as managing director.
Mustafa Sheta has long experience in the Palestinian civil sector as a researcher, journalist and coordinator for various organisations and projects, such as the Palestinian Refugee and Diaspora Center (SHAML), Bisan Center for Research and Development and Muwatin Institute for Democracy Study. He was previously a researcher with the American University of Beirut and has a BA degree in Journalism and Political Science from Birzeit University and an MA degree in Conflict Resolution and Development from the Arab American University in Jenin. Sheta has been a member of the Board of directors of The Freedom Theatre since 2014.
“The Freedom Theatre will remain the same organisation but having a Palestinian general secretary is important”, says Mustafa Sheta. “Jonatan’s decision symbolises the merging of our cause with the international solidarity for Palestine. I would like to thank Jonatan for all he has done and will continue to do for the theatre, and I hope others can learn from his example. We need change within Palestinian civil society and within the cultural sector we need to strengthen relationships between different organisations.”
Read more about the general assembly, new board of directors and plan for 2017.
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