House of Wisdom for consultation and conflict resolution organized the Second Palestinian Youth Conference entitled ““Palestinian Youth: Towards an Inclusive National View- Opportunities, Challenges and Expectations”, at the Almathaf hotel, with the attendance of Dr. Adnan Mjali, the head of the World Palestinian economic congress, Mr. Oliver McTernan, the head of Forward Thinking Institiution, political figures and so many important people.
In his speech, the head of the youth conference, Dr. Ahmed Yousef mentioned that this was the second youth conference since the first one was held on November 20, 2017. The bad consequences of the Palestinian cause made them lost. “We are not going to show you delusion, you are more aware of what’s happening around you. As youth, you have to make your steps more effective to end this division”, he stressed. He also added that youth abilities including cognitive skills and political awareness could not be neglected. The reason behind this conference was to attract youth towards their significance as an import part representing the society and having visons of their potential future roles as leaders who will exert their efforts to save their cause.
Mr. Mahmoud Al-Madhoun, director of HOW institute, explained that the conference tried to achieve a number of objectives including the effective role and visions of youth towards the national cause and the significance of making constructive debates between political elites and Palestinian youth. “What has distinguished HOW is following up the recommendations and finding ways to fulfill them. HOW started the primary preparations for incubating graduate project through loans”, he added.
In his speech, Dr. Adnan Mjali shed the light on the necessity of focusing on the obstacles that youth are experiencing and ways of overcoming them and on the strategies of giving chances for skillful youth in order to have a strong economy and to reduce unemployment rates. He underlined the importance of cooperation with the Palestinians by using strategic programs to enhance and improve the academic and scientific system within modern educational environment. “I see that the Gaza Strip will get its freedom soon after political and economic youth revolution by holding popular elections”, Dr. Adnan said.
In his speech, Mr. Oliver expressed his pleasure for participating in the conference. He said, “The Israeli- Egyptian blockade is a reason behind our issue and the national division have widened the gap. As a result, Gaza is one of the cities that has the highest rates of unemployment in the world.” Mr. Oliver mentioned that the state of destabilization in Gaza affected more than one hundred thousands of youth who are now deprived of their least rights and unable to catch chances and improve themselves.
In a recorded speech, Mr. Khaled Mashal, vice head of Hamas‘ politburo, expressed his pleasure to House of Wisdom institute for their initiative by highlighting youth issues who are struggling the siege, division, violations and Deal of the century. He mentioned that this conference is considered the light for youth’s paths. He delivered some advice to youth including taking care of their culture, shouldering responsibility and exerting efforts to be the future leaders. He confirmed the necessity of struggling the Israeli occupation.
In a recorded speech for Dr. Mostafa Albarghouti, he praised the efforts of the conference staff. He mentioned that such a conference has to be the door for effective contributions of supporting the Palestinian youth issues.
Conference Axes
1- The conference had two sessions. The first one including seven research papers was held by Dr. Khaled Safi, entitled: “youth in the Palestinian elite and decision makers’ perspective.”
2- Dr. Salah Abu Khatla led the second session, entitled “the Paslestinan youth: Challenges and hopes”, that included six research papers.
The conference concluded with delivering some recommendations, including reforming the moral system, coming up with ideas, from youth side, that can light the path under this complicated dark situation, improving the self- funding strategy based on common sharing between civil institutions and other things.
