The Steering Committee for the Youth Protection and Civic Engagement Project Held a Meeting in Ramallah
Ramallah – Palestine – On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the Steering Committee of the "Youth Protection and Civic Engagement" project, implemented by the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel) and funded by the Belgian government, convened at the Ministry of Social Development headquarters. The meeting was attended by Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development; Mr. Taha Al-Irani, Deputy Minister; Mr. Rasem Suwan, Strategic Advisor at Enabel; Mr. Hani Al-Deek, Project Manager; and several key partners.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister welcomed the attendees, expressing her gratitude for their dedication to supporting this vital initiative. She emphasized the strategic partnership with Enabel in advancing youth protection and civic engagement in Palestine, commending the flexibility of all partners in continuing project activities despite the significant challenges faced since October 7, 2023.
Dr. Hamad highlighted the critical timing of this meeting, reflecting the commitment of all parties to achieving the project's objectives under difficult circumstances. She underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration to empower Palestinian youth, particularly in marginalized areas.
During the meeting, Dr. Hamad called for the implementation of the protection, psychological, and social support programs under the project. She stressed the necessity of providing psychological support for children, youth, and women in Gaza, particularly for children in shelters, to alleviate the severe psychological effects they face. The Minister also emphasized the need to establish safe spaces dedicated to psychological and social care while promoting youth civic engagement. She further highlighted the importance of supporting remote education initiatives for children to improve educational quality and mitigate current challenges. Additionally, she reiterated the significance of projects for people with disabilities, particularly providing prosthetic limbs to those in need, to enhance their integration and active participation in society.
The meeting included a comprehensive presentation on the "Youth Protection and Civic Engagement" program, which forms part of the strategic framework of the Ministry of Social Development. The program focuses on three main pillars: empowering youth through quality education, protecting youth and promoting their civic engagement, and providing pathways to employment in Palestine. The program's objectives aim to empower Palestinian youth by enhancing their access to human and digital rights, creating greater opportunities for civic participation, and focusing on protection from gender-based violence, as well as improving mental health and well-being for youth and their caregivers.
The discussion linked the program to the current Palestinian context, particularly in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of establishing safe spaces, providing psychological support, and increasing youth participation as key components for resilience and long-term development during recovery periods post-conflict. The program was reaffirmed as part of the ministry's efforts to address these ongoing challenges.
Challenges such as limited access to Gaza and Jerusalem were also addressed, with a focus on adopting flexible strategies to ensure effective program implementation under such constraints. In the second part of the meeting, the Enabel team provided an update on the project's progress, followed by an open discussion where participants shared insights on challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned to enhance the program's outcomes.
In conclusion, the Minister expressed her gratitude to the attendees for their unwavering commitment to empowering Palestinian youth and fostering a safer and more inclusive community. She emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum to achieve the program's strategic objectives and ensure its continued positive impact on Palestinian society.
