Why was Pearl founded?
Pearl is a foundation which was set up during the recent war in Lebanon. Lebanon – known as the pearl of the Mediterranean - has suffered great damages. However, the people, are most damaged due to the emotional consequences of living in a war zone and the loss caused by war: the loss of loved ones, residents, jobs.

What are the aims and objectives of Pearl?
Pearl's objective is to support the Lebanese to recover after the war. Pearl has direct contact with the Lebanese people in order to establish what needs to be done. The ideas and initiatives are realised together with  the people in Lebanon. Pearl supports the restoration of public services and the realisation of cultural activities.
Furthermore, Pearl aims to stimulate intercultural understanding by bringing people together and to encourage a dialogue. Pearl would like to emphasize the importance of throwing light on people's daily lives as countries that are hit by disaster often are depicted in a one-sided manner by the media.

The power of Pearl
Pearl has a positive and practical attitude. Pearl states that the opportunity of recovery, a better life, a better world truly exists. And that one person can make a difference. Pearl believes in the power of the individual. Every person matters and can be of importance. Pearl is giving people the chance to make a difference. Pearl supports the Lebanese people in realising their ideas which offer hope and create improvement. In order to make this possible, we need support from people who would like to contribute t the activities of Pearl. Together we can make a difference. 

How does Pearl realise the projects?
Pearl needs the support of people and organisations who are willing to contribute to the realisation of the objectives of Pearl. In order to realise its projects Pearl is looking for benefactors and volunteers. Pearl is also looking for sponsors and organisations to cooperate with.
 

Pearl projects 

Pearl is currently active in projects of Studio Beirut that amongst others organizes a summer workshop and publishes the magazine NOISE. Studio Beirut is a foundation established by a group of volunteers (mostly Lebanese architects, urban developers, artists, writers and lecturers at AUB and ALBA) together with the Dutch organizations Archis, Partizan Publik and Pearl, Chris Keulemans (former director of cultural and political centre De Balie in Amsterdam) and Ole Bouman (director of the Dutch Architectural Institute (Nai)). Furthermore Pearls aims to realize a computerproject and a playground with a park in the southern village Tayr Debba.

Pearl already realized the events Lebanon Unbuilt in November 2006 in Lebanon and the event Pearls for Lebanon in March 2007 in Amsterdam. 

Pearl in Lebanon 

Pearl founder Nienke Nauta is since May 5 based in Lebanon.