Ramallah - The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development – REFORM concluded a Learning Journey with the participation of thirty young women and men to train them on writing public policy papers and position papers in the city of Ramallah. The trip aimed to enable the participants to present recommendations and alternatives to decision-makers and direct and indirect stakeholders in the formulation of public decisions. Moreover, this presented the youth’s perceptions, aspirations and legitimate demands that guarantee the enhancement of their participation in the management of public affairs. It was presented on the decision-making bodies in the associations of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
The training included theoretical materials that shed light on the most important knowledge and necessary information about public policies, the importance of policy papers, position assessment papers and laws regulating the work of policies. In addition, the practical section aimed at enhancing the skills of the participants to possess specialised skills in training to write policy papers and the importance of supporting the decision-maker. Palestinian readings and assessments on public policies displayed the importance of involving Palestinian youth at different levels of decision-making.
On the other hand, the participant, Ms. Behan Jaradat, stated that the training that was carried out was highly needed for the youth in order to enhance the effective political participation of all components of Palestinian society. This especially includes youth and women by empowering young and women leaders who are able to engage in decision-making to influence and cause change at the local and national levels.
The project coordinator, Mr. Rizq Atawneh, said that this training comes as part of REFORM's efforts to empower the various Palestinian societal components, especially youth, in order to advance their research capabilities. Leadership of the Palestinian political system highlights the rights of youth and women in the Palestinian political system.
This Learning Journey is implemented within the Symposia project, which is implemented by the Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development - REFORM, funded by Diakonia, Swedish Development Aid (Sida). The project aims to enable politically and socially active Palestinian youth to lead an interactive dialogue with members of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian National and Central Councils - PLO through a dialogue platform in which the youth’s perceptions, aspirations and legitimate demands enhance their participation in the management of public affairs. This is presented to the decision-making bodies in the associations of the Palestinian political system. The participation is displayed in the form of discussions of draft policies that policy makers are preparing and discussing topics related to various aspects of political and social life.
