Workshop Sets out to enhance Civil Society Engagement in Political Decision Making

Scenarios to enhance the engagement of civil society in the Palestinian reconciliation process were discussed in a two- day workshop organized by Ibrahim Abu Lughod Institute for International Relations Studies and Pal-Think for Strategic Studies.

The workshop brought together a number of representatives from civil society’s organizations in the southern and northern governorates, who wrote a practical framework to better engage the civil society in the reconciliation process. A committee that consists of four representatives from the civil society's organizations was formed to achieve the suggested framework.

The workshop was meant to open doors for a constructive exchange of ideas and views among participant which might lead to a future all-encompassing dialogue. Participants discussed the role of youth, higher-education and good governance to forward the outcomes of the Palestinian unity- dialogue.

Chairman of Pal-Think for Strategic Studies Omar Shabaan said that a broad engagement of political and civil society actorswill contribute in reaching an authentic reconciliation agreement. “This workshop is meant to provide a clear platform for constructive exchange of views and ideas in order to find ways of providing constructive contribution to the enforcement of the Palestinian Unity.”

“We are convinced that civil society in Palestine has an important role to play in building up a united society with Palestinians aspirations”, Faculty member at the Law Department and a member in Abu Lughod Institute Ghassan Farmand said. “The active involvement of socio-economic actors in the process of Palestinian reconciliation is very vital for implementing an authentic unity with sustainable results. This workshop can be the road towards a structured dialogue within the Palestinian parties and civil society organizations that can set firm conditions to reach the forthcoming unity.”