Your Excellency Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister of Palestine
I followed with interest your statement during your visit to Bethlehem on November 18th 2024, where you affirmed, “We will not achieve our national project of freedom and independence without strong institutions and a close relationship with the people.” This statement highlights a key foundation for the success of our national project: building trust between the leadership and the people, particularly the youth, and empowering their role in achieving freedom and independence.
As young Palestinians, we face relentless Israeli aggression that targets not only our present but also our future. This aggression manifests in the most heinous forms of genocide against our people, especially in the besieged Gaza Strip, where families are massacred, and homes are destroyed over their residents, in blatant violation of international laws and norms. This tragic reality, compounded by the destruction of infrastructure and health and educational institutions, demands unity and collective effort to protect our people and bolster their resilience.
Palestinian youth, who endure this painful reality and confront its repercussions daily, are the first line of defense against these challenges. Yet, we recognize that achieving our national project requires strengthening our partnership in public affairs and ensuring active youth participation in national decision-making. This will empower us to build a free and independent future for Palestine.
National institutions are not merely service providers; they must serve as beacons of social change and sustainable development. When young people see their needs met fairly and encounter transparency and justice within these institutions, they develop a stronger connection to them and become more willing to take on national responsibilities, contributing to the strengthening of the state and society.
In the current circumstances, youths’ role in achieving the national project is a necessity, not an option. Representing over 22% of Palestinian society, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, we are the largest segment capable of driving the desired change—if given a genuine opportunity. Investing in youth leadership today ensures the future of Palestine, fosters sustainable economic growth, and strengthens social cohesion.
Prime Minister,
From this standpoint, I present a set of recommendations that I believe can transform the discourse of partnership with youth into a tangible action plan. Involving youth in our country’s official discourses on crucial national issues will reinforce their sense of being genuine partners in decision-making. Enhancing their participation in national institutions and ensuring their representation in decision-making positions at all levels is equally important.
Launching digital platforms to engage with youth will enable them to share their ideas and proposals on public policies. These platforms should include mechanisms to discuss and implement applicable suggestions. Similarly, including youth in preparing development plans at both local and national levels will allow them to present their visions on development priorities in key sectors such as education, energy, and industry.
Developing policies to support young entrepreneurs by offering financial incentives, soft loans, and facilities to establish their projects will strengthen their role in economic development. Additionally, establishing youth councils in each governorate can provide local advisory bodies that communicate with the government on local policy proposals. Allocating budgets within national plans to support youth initiatives and programs, with clear criteria to measure the impact of these investments, is also critical.
Engaging youth in a real and effective way is essential to achieving the freedom and independence we all aspire to. We are an ambitious generation that rejects despair and is ready to shoulder national responsibility with courage—if given a genuine opportunity. I invite Your Excellency to consider these recommendations and work with us as partners to realize our national project.
Sincerely,
Razan
Participant in the "Symposia II" project implemented by REFORM Association
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's views and not necessarily the Association's or donor's opinion.