WADI RUM PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR SPONSORSHIP

Executive Summary
“If we begin to see each other as we are…brothers, all striving for the same things and with the same prob-
lems…then maybe we can begin to put an end to this madness. We are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, bosses,
employees, emigrants, lovers and, most of all, children.
As long as we highlight differences in our cultures, traditions and lives, then a true dialogue can never begin. However,
once we show respect for the traditions, history and lifestyle of other peoples, then we can truly begin to talk about
the numerous problems we all face.” Mark Abouzeid, co-founder BHP
THE BEDOUIN HERITAGE PROJECT
The Bedu are settled and nomadic communities, typically, living within regions of semi-arid highlands and
deserts. These conditions have allowed for the existence in complementary relationship of both types of
communities.
The Bedu have developed an extensive knowledge of their environment and complex moral and social code, all
of which is expressed and transmitted orally. Their rich mythology is manifested in various forms of oral
expression, comprising poetry, folktales and songs that are closely linked to particular places and the history of
these communities. The Bedu of Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan, have preserved specific knowledge related to the
flora and fauna of the area, traditional medicine, camel husbandry, tent-making craftsmanship, and tracking and
climbing skills.
Over the last fifty years, more and more Bedu groups have settled down. The provision of education, housing,
health care and sanitation has made a sedentary existence more attractive for many of them, leading, however,
to the erosion of skills developed by the Bedu over generations.
The principal goal of the project is to safeguard the main features of the lifestyle and oral expressions of the
Bedu that have developed over the course of millennia and that are being lost due to inevitable societal
changes. The knowledge, wisdom and history that is at risk forms the historical foundation of all Arab people’s.
The people of Wadi Rum have been recognised for their uniqueness by UNESCO and are the only Arab
culture admitted to the permanent list of Intangible World Heritages..
The Wadi Rum project goal is to participate, record, represent and ultimately safeguard the many facets of the
Bedouin lifestyle, social system, traditions, medicine and oral history. This two year project will incorporate the
best practices of cultural and media anthropology including video, photography, audio, figurative art, journalism,
academic research, sensory memory and genealogy.
BHP is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium with operating offces in Florence, Italy and Berlin, Germany. Current
sponsors include Royal Jordanian Airlines, Canon Italia S.p.a., AssistAmerica and PhotoAid.
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Sponsorship Proposal

SPONSORSHIP
The Bedouin Heritage Project (“BHP”) offers sponsors an ideal vehicle for:
* positive public relations with regard to the Middle East without political consequences;
* support for an important world initiative;
* alignment with market trends that award ecologically and culturally sensitive companies; and
* visibility across Europe and the Middle East.
Bedouins reside in every principal country in the region and are a symbol of the history of all Arab people. The
work of BHP will be highly visible throughout the area and, through the living library, will serve generations to
come. BHP offers sponsors a non-political vehicle to promote positive corporate brand awareness while
supporting an important initiative for the entire Middle East.
It is fitting that this first project should have Jordan at its centrepiece. The country’s statesmen have long acted
as mediators and peacemakers for the entire region. Through their work over decades, members of the Royal
Family have proven their commitment to UNESCO’s values and supported numerous heritage initiatives.
Jordan is the only Arabic country to have an entire culture. Corporate sponsors will be visible at all levels of
political and organizational interaction.
The Wadi Rum project has embraced the principles of zero ecological impact and will act as a model for future
projects. Sponsoring companies with extra carbon credits, portable alternative energy equipment and ‘green’
financing programs will benefit from specific examples of their proactive stance in saving the planet while
safeguarding an essential component of our communal world history.
The fundamental guiding principle of BHP is to safeguard the past in order to build a better future. This is not
just a motto but also an integral part of the work itself. A program of internships allows students to learn in the
field on a real project helping them prepare for what can only be an uncertain future in these economic times.
Sponsors funded scholarships allow BHP to offer internships to students that could not otherwise afford the
base costs.
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Project Summary
PROJECT TITLE
Bedouin Heritage Foundation, Wadi Rum Project, Jordan
BENEFICIARY COMMUNITY
The Bedu of Wadi Rum. The land in Wadi Rum is occupied by the Zilabia and the Zuweida tribes who are an
offshoot of the Aneizat in Saudi Arabia.
PROJECT SCOPE
The principal goal of the project is to safeguard the main features of the lifestyle and oral history of the Bedu
that have developed in Wadi Rum region over the course of millennia and that are being lost due to inevitable
societal changes.
While the initial project is local in nature, the best practices established should serve as a model for regional
projects to safeguard the cultural heritage of bedouin communities throughout Jordan and the middle east. In
order to achieve the project’s goals and deliver a living memory to the Bedu themselves, new methodologies for
authenticate representation of intangible heritage and oral traditions will be required and, ideally, will be
transferable to similar projects around the world.
PROJECT LOCATION
Field work - Wadi Rum Protected Zone & Rum Village, Jordan.
Research, administration & production - Florence, Italy; Brussels, Belgium and Berlin, Germany.
IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION
The Wadi Rum project in Jordan is promoted by the Bedouin Heritage Project. BHP will foster projects to help
safeguard the intangible cultural heritage of Bedouin communities throughout the Middle East following the
basic principles:
* The collection and intergenerational transmission of oral heritage; and
* The transmission and adaptation of knowledge and know-how.
TIME FRAME
The prepatory work for Wadi Rum Project commenced in December of 2008 with meetings in Wadi Rum. The
first formal field work is planned for 3 weeks in July, 2009, and several subsequent trips are tentatively scheduled
at appropriate times throughout the rest of the year. It is expected that this first project will require 24 months
from the first field work to delivery of the final masterwork.
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Sponsorship Proposal

BHP Sponsorship
Sponsors will benefit from a positive image supporting and respecting the cultures of the middle east without
the political implications that many modernism projects might carry. Moreover, given that Wadi Rum is an
important nature reserve, founding sponsors show their support for "green"initiatives as well.
There are several ways in which companies can support the Bedouin Heritage Project.
BHP FOUNDING SPONSORS
Organizations that wish to support with a commitment for the life of the project. These companies will be
featured in an extensive way in every aspect of BHP's communications, projects, press releases and final
masterpieces. Logo art and a brief description of the Companies activities, products and services will be
included in releases and on the web as well, inclusive of contact details or hyperlinks. Company representatives
will be invited to important events, including exhibits, that may include, as examples, UNESCO, the Jordanian
Royal family or other important figures from the region.
BHP CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Organizations that would like to support the overall initiative's costs with a limited investment. These
companies will be listed with other contributing sponsors on all publicity, whether web, video or print.
WADI RUM PROJECT SPONSORS
Primarily companies that have equipment or services required by this first phase of the project. These include
transportation, photographic and video equipment, insurance, clothing, lodging and post production services.
We have already secured commitments Royal Jordanian, Canon Italia, AssistAmerica and PhotoAid for logistical
and equipment support. This sponsors will receive full visibility for every aspect of this phase including
masterpieces produced as a direct consequence of their support.
BHP EXHIBIT SPONSORS
To facilitate the itinerant exhibit, corporations wishing to sponsor events will be featured at all exhibit
destinations, in related works and publications as is typical for these types of events.
BHP STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
A program of internships allows photography students from around the world to learn in the field on a real
project helping them prepare for what can only be an uncertain future in these economic times. Sponsors
funded scholarships allow BHP to offer internships to students that could not otherwise afford the base costs.
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Sponsorship Proposal

Sponsorship Benefits
The Bedouin Heritage Project (“BHP”) offers sponsors an ideal vehicle for:
• positive public relations with regard to the Middle East without political consequences;
• support for an important UNESCO initiative;
• alignment with market trends that award ecologically and culturally sensitive companies; and
• visibility across Europe and the Middle East.
VISIBILITY FOR HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT
If accepted by UNESCO, BHP will be the first formal project under the Intangible Heritage Program. As such, it
will receive significant visibility on a regional and global basis. Conferences on best practices, broadcasts and
documents will prominently feature sponsors.
EUROPEAN VISIBILITY
BHP has offices in Belgium, Italy and Germany as well as representation in Jordan. Founders and team
members, being media community professionals, have established channels for news features and television
documentaries in those countries and around the region.
WEB
BEDOUINHERITAGE.ORG
has been launched and will continue to develop as a focusing point for all announcements, research and
publications. The site will comprise:
1) best practices and methodology papers for the academic and ngo community;
2) videos of presentations, press conferences and project realization;
3) short documentary multimedia presentations of masterpieces promoting awareness of the project and the
bedouin culture, rebroadcast via YouTube;
4) news release syndication via Publish2.0 and news agencies, such as ANSA, to all major news outlets around
the region and abroad; and
5) sponsor profiles.
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Sponsorship Proposal

UNESCO ICH WEBSITE
all approved projects are featured on the primary website of UNESCO including information on supporting
organizations. Sponsors will be featured as supporting organizations.
TELEVISION
The project organizers expect to have serial broadcasts in Europe and the Middle East through primary and
satellite channels. Examples may include BBC, BBC Arabic, Al Jazeera, Rai.
ITINERANT EXHIBIT
One of the first project masterpieces will be an itinerant exhibit that will travel certain European capital cities
before finding its permanent home in Jordan. The exhibit will be unique: an immersive context for creating
awareness and generating interest in the Bedouin Culture. Murals, portraits, photographic essays, video
interviews, ambient sounds and scents will create a holistic sense of the desert, a bedouin camp, their stories
and more. Sponsors will be featured in all communication materials and signposts relating to the exhibit.
LIVING LIBRARY
The Bedouin Heritage Living Library will be established to provide access to the raw materials, final
masterpieces and learning resources created throughout the life of this and future projects. All publications and
masterpieces, as well as the Living Library itself, will carry sponsor branding.
The library will be both virtual and physical, providing easy access for the use of Bedouins and the world
research community. This will form the cornerstone for projecting a complete image of the Bedouin Culture
with the added benefit of promoting positive, sustainable tourism.
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