MoSD Holds National Workshop to Discuss Draft Regulation on Social Professions Governance
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development organized a national workshop on Tuesday titled “Discussion of the Draft Regulation on the Governance of Social Professions”, held at the Ministry's headquarters in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and with the participation of representatives from professional unions, universities, government institutions, and relevant civil society organizations.
The workshop was attended by H.E. Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs; Dr. Maisa Al-Rifai, representative of UNDP; Ministry Undersecretary Mr. Taha Al-Irani; Assistant Undersecretary Mr. Akram Al-Hafi; staff from the General Directorate for Case Management Follow-up; and representatives of the Union of Social and Psychological Workers and partner institutions.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Hamad emphasized that the governance of social professions is a critical step toward structuring and regulating the profession of social counseling, which comprises approximately 40% of the Ministry's workforce. She described this profession as the backbone of field-based social work and noted that the Ministry operates under a three-pillar vision: protection, care, and empowerment. She added that regulating social professions will improve performance, promote social justice, and expand the network of associations and institutions providing social services. Dr. Hamad also addressed the urgent field challenges in Gaza and the northern West Bank due to ongoing aggression and worsening humanitarian conditions.
Dr. Maisa Al-Rifai of UNDP reaffirmed that the project is part of the organization’s broader efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and digital transformation in public services. She highlighted similar experiences in the health sector, including digital assessment systems in public hospitals and the establishment of community advisory councils. She also noted the close collaboration with the Ministry to develop an electronic system for registering and licensing social workers, along with a new application to track persons with disabilities—particularly amputees in Gaza—as well as the Tokten initiative aimed at transferring knowledge from international experts to national institutions.
Undersecretary Mr. Taha Al-Irani stressed the importance of developing a legal framework that governs the social work profession, ensuring quality standards and protecting both professionals and service recipients. He described the workshop as a stepping stone toward a new phase of institutional regulation that will positively impact social policy and citizens’ lives.
Dr. Iyad Othman, President of the Union of Social and Psychological Workers, affirmed that the draft regulation represents a strategic step toward enhancing professional practice, ensuring service quality, and protecting both beneficiaries and professionals. He commended the Ministry’s leadership in this national effort, confirming the union’s readiness to be an active partner in implementing and monitoring the regulation, reinforcing a system of professional licensing based on qualifications and experience, and fostering a supportive and safe work environment.
The workshop included a detailed presentation by Dr. Jihad Al-Kasawani, legal advisor and lead expert in drafting the regulation. He outlined the proposed legal and regulatory foundations, licensing and classification mechanisms, and the coordination framework between the Ministry, the union, and universities. He stressed that the proposed regulation aligns with the government’s policy to streamline institutional structures without creating new bodies, focusing instead on enhancing collaboration among existing stakeholders.
The session concluded with an open discussion during which written and verbal contributions were shared by representatives of public, civil, and academic institutions. Participants welcomed this national initiative and provided valuable feedback aimed at improving the regulation’s comprehensiveness and ensuring its feasibility and effectiveness in protecting the profession and upholding the right to fair and quality services.
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