Al-Zawaida – 09/19/2024
The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development—REFORM held a dialogue session at its Gaza office titled "The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Engaging Youth in the Reconstruction Committees of the Gaza Strip." The session was attended by 30 young men and women, along with representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs).
It aimed to review the proposed Gaza reconstruction priorities prepared by the "United in Diversity V" team, focusing on the perspectives of Palestinian youth. The goal was to enhance youths' participation in decision-making processes by ensuring their representation in local community structures and government institutions, while fostering interactive dialogue among CSOs to ensure the inclusion of all social segments—a fundamental condition for a transparent and comprehensive reconstruction process.
During the session, the youth participants emphasized that national priorities should focus on the need for political reform as the cornerstone of a comprehensive national reconstruction process. This reform is essential for addressing the various crises facing Palestinian society, particularly those related to the political system and its relationship with youth.
One of the project's participant, Reem Al-Khalili, presented the key points of the paper that outlined the priorities of youth regarding the reconstruction process. She highlighted the main obstacles they encounter and identified the entities capable of supporting youth in achieving effective political participation within decision-making positions.
Mr. Amjad Al-Shawa, Director of the NGO Network in Gaza, stated that the importance and timing of the paper shift the Palestinian situation from being a mere recipient of plans made in world capitals to becoming a key decision-maker in shaping the post-war period. He highlighted that this had been previously addressed by the youth of the "United in Diversity V" team in their proposal.
He emphasized the need to recognize that youth have a fundamental right to shape their own destiny and future. Future reconstruction efforts must align with their needs and aspirations, following the interconnected process of relief, development, and internal stability. This is particularly crucial for protecting the social structure and fabric. He also underscored youths' critical role of youth in fostering and strengthening civil peace after the aggression.
Yasser Darwish, Director of the General Union of Cultural Centers, emphasized the importance and quality of the proposal. He stressed that political reform efforts must be tied to integrating political values into the educational system. This highlights the need for a cultural reform process aimed at protecting and preserving collective national awareness from distortion and safeguarding the national identity from erasure, especially in light of the systematic dismantling efforts carried out by the occupying forces against the Palestinian society.
Darwish emphasized the crucial role of municipalities and local government units in the reconstruction process, stressing the importance of integrating youth into these bodies, as they serve as the primary platform for effective youth involvement. He noted that these institutions could play significant roles in the future, but they require a comprehensive democratic process for selecting their representatives — a process that demands immediate planning and action.
The session sparked an engaging discussion among the attendees, particularly the youth, about the roles and actions they must take in the upcoming phase to overcome their current marginalization.
This session comes as part of the "United Diversity V” project, implemented by The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development—REFORM, in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid. This project aims to promote young men and women's participation in decision-making processes through monitoring plans and policies of organisations and holding local organisations accountable at the level of public policies that increase youths’ participation in public life.
The project also aims to enhance the values of good governance and transparency in the work of local organisations and to inform policy makers of citizens' rights and needs. The project will build the capacities of its target groups in participatory processes and facilitation skills using the Facilitating Reform Methodology, developing their accountability skills and monitoring the extent to which public policies respond to the needs of local communities.
For more information on this project, its objectives, and outcomes, please click here.
