Right to Movement

   Right to Movement (RTM) is a volunteer-based social enterprise that advocates for the basic human rights of freedom of movement and gender equality through sports, running and marathons. It depends mainly on creative fund-raising through selling t-shirts and gala dinners, in an effort to emphasize the importance of creating an alternative local model for self-reliant initiatives, driven by commitment, effort and passion, rather than relying on foreign funding.

   RTM started in late 2012 as a project by two Danish women (Signe Smidt, Laerke Hein) and a Palestinian man (George Zeidan), and it expanded to become a social enterprise of hundreds of members. They are the founders of the Palestine Marathon, which they have organized for four consecutive years. It is now being organized by the Palestinian Ministry of Youth and Sports. 

   RTM sent delegations of runners to marathons in 21 different countries including Switzerland, the United States, Chile, Denmark, Jordan, Zanzibar, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Whales, South Africa, Zanzibar, Italy, Turkey and Germany. In 2019, RTM organized a 400 Kilometer march from New York City to Washington D.C., during which they raised $60,000 for UNRWA.  

   RTM members meet up two to three times weekly for running practices, exercising, and yoga. Additionally, every few months they organize nature hikes in different locations in Palestine.

   In 2018, inspired by a group of Swedish runners, RTM activists started “plogging” campaigns – activities that combine jogging with picking up litter. They aim, through their plogging activities, to raise awareness and inspire others in the community to find solutions to waste problems. RTM’s main plogging activities are being held in Makhrour area in Bethlehem as well as in Ramallah. RTM plans to organize more frequent plogging activities in Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho and other areas in addition to publishing awareness-raising material on the topic.

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Volunteering Opportunities: Volunteering is available at all times.