BZU and Ministry of Local Government Sign Cooperation Agreement

The Institute of Law
(IoL) at BZU signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of
Local Government on 22 February 2012. The event was attended by BZU President,
Dr. Khalil Hindi; Minister of Local Government, Dr. Khalid Qawasmeh; Vice
President for Community Outreach, Dr. Munir Qazzaz; IoL’s Director, Dr. Ghassan
Faramand; Governor of Qalqilya, Rabeeh al-Khandakji; in addition to the mayors
of Jenin, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Qalqilya, Salfit and Beitunia.

The purpose of this MoU is to promote good governance and
rule of law on the national and local levels and to ensure communication and
collaboration between national institutions.

In his speech, Dr. Hindi emphasized BZU’s readiness to
cooperate with the Ministry of Local Government to achieve common national
objectives within the framework of institution building. He added: "We are
always proud of BZU activities, particularly IoL’s activities and programs regarding
cadre training, legislative drafting, consultation and research services. The
IoL is a vital source of information and legislation, besides conducting seminars
and conferences that address legal issues.”

Dr. Qawasmeh valued these joint efforts. He stated that
gender occupies a large part of the Ministry’s course of action, which clearly
appears in the local government sector strategy.

Dr. Faramand spoke about the importance of municipalities and
their direct relations with citizens, and the need to strengthen the rule of law,
despite all the complexities Palestinians encounter. He also thanked the UNDP for
their efforts in promoting gender equality and empowering women in the occupied
Palestinian territories.

Mr. al-Khandakji
underscored the role of women in Palestinian society,
saying: "The Palestinian people recognize the important role of women in
the political, social and state-building processes.”