HOW Organizes the Third Palestinian Youth Conference: ” Youth in the Scene of Politics and Governance: Future Vision”
House of Wisdom – Gaza
On Wednesday, House of Wisdom Institute for Conflict Resolution and Consultations organized the third Palestinian youth conference entitled, “Youth in the Scene of Politics and Governance: Future Vision”. In light of the significant marginalization of Palestinian youth and in hope of shedding light on the political scene relating to Palestinian youth and their participation in Palestinian decision making, this conference was held.
Mr Oliver McTernan, the head of Forward Thinking institution, Dr Waleed Alqutati and Dr. Ibrahim Abrash attended and participated in the conference in addition to some academics, politicians, different groups of youth and others.
In his speech, Dr Ahmed Yousef, the head of HOW, talked about the failure of many things that have resulted in increasing poverty and unemployment as well as increasing the number of graduates, migration seekers and divorce rates. In addition, there are steep drops in the level of services and in Marriage rates. There is a need to save what has remained of the spirit of youth.
Dr Ahmed Yousef presented some examples related to the role of youth in politics and governance such as their role in the Justice and Development Party, stressing women’s role in mobilization.
In his speech, Eng. Mahmoud Almadhoun, the general secretary of HOW, pointed out that during the sessions there will be discussions on Opportunities and Challenges for Youth in the Palestinian Political Equation, youth Political Presence and Empowerment Opportunities, and youth Potential Impacts on Popular Incubation of Change.
Eng. Almadhoun talked about the participation of the youth incubator formed recently since it was one of the second youth conference’s recommendations.
The conference strived to achieve the following goals:
- Reviewing the extent of youth participation in factional political decision-making.
- Understanding the mechanisms of promoting youth participation in political and social spheres of life.
- Identifying the role of new media in reinforcing political awareness among Palestinian youth.
- Recognizing the impact of youth media on political change.
- Envisioning the future of Palestinian youth in politics.
In his speech, Mr. Oliver McTernan explained that the role of youth in decision making is limited since leaders don’t give youth the chance to engage in decision making. It is also limited because of the role of the occupation in restricting them. He illustrated this by showing the Tunisian experience and the role of youth there.
In his speech, Dr Waleed Alqutati shed light on the role of youth in the national movements, showing some icons like Ameen Alhussininm Yasser Arafat, Ahmed Yassin and others. He presented some solutions that could be worked on for the benefit of youth. This could be done by ending the Palestinian division and having a Palestinian Unity for the sake of rebuilding the Palestinian project and acknowledging the role of the Palestinian authority in supporting the resilience of the Palestinians and youth for they are the future leaders. Dr Alqutati ended his speech by presenting a national plan including finding ways for youth political participation, activiating youth groups and movements, promoting individual and collective youth projects, providing youth with jobs and training youth.
In his speech, Dr Ibrahim Abrash asserted that youth had a big and significant role during the first and second intifada, pointing out that their role wasn’t limited to governance. For this reason, we must give youth their rights and not humiliate them. Dr Abrash called on the youth to be good and powerful and to be inspired by the previous leaders but not to imitate them, so they won’t be like the current political leaders.
In a recorded speech, Mr Mousa Abo Marzouq talked to the youth calling them the backbone of the Palestinians and asserting the necessity of getting them involved in politics. He said that resistance is a right, and it is our right to defend ourselves; we don’t want as refuges to be humiliated or homeless. For that, we have to unite and work for the sake of our Palestinian cause. We also have to be committed to values, the right of expressing our opinions, justice and equality, and that would help in having a better future. He ended his speech by asserting the necessity of having national unity.
In a recorded speech, Mr Samir Almashharwi assured us that youth are the social power we have, concentrating on the importance of letting them raise their voices and giving them the chance to be involved in politics and social life. He advised youth to stay away from parties and factions and be themselves.
The first session entitled: “Palestinian Youth: Political Presence and Empowerment Opportunities” was headed by Dr Khaled Safi. It included six research papers discussing the role of Palestinian universities in enhancing political participation among students’ councils, The Extent of Youth Participation in Factional Decision-Making, Obstacles Preventing a Broad Youth Involvement in Politics, Mechanism for Youth Political and Social Empowerment, The Role of Voluntary Work in Enhancing Youth Political Participation and Youth Political Participation in Local Bodies.
The second session entitled: “Youth Media: Potential Impacts on Popular Incubation of Change”, was headed by Dr Lana Shahin. It included different youth topics, such as The Role of New Media at Promoting Political Awareness Amongst Palestinian Youth, Arab Media Coverage of Palestinian Youth Issues, The Role of Media in Producing Youth Political Elites in Palestine, Youth Issues in Palestinian Media and other topics.
The two sessions were followed up by summarizing some recommendations. It is important for the PA and civil and private sectors to benefit from youth knowledge. Moreover, it is necessary to make youth participate in decision making in the political national bodies and national movements. Furthermore, Palestinian media have to cover youth issues daily; besides, youth have to have contact with leaders as much as they can to reach the Palestinian reconciliation. It’s important for youth to form a body parallel to the factions that work as a government for youth. Another important point is calling on civil organizations to make development programs for youth so they can achieve their dreams and aspirations. Calling on human rights institutions to also promote youth’s expression of their rights is so important.
There were also some discussions with the attendees asserting the necessity of incubating youth and helping involve them in decision making.
The conference ended with the distribution of certificates honoring the participants.
