In Partnership with 15 Palestinian CBOs, PalThink Continues Its Project on Envisioning the Future of the Political System in Palestine
Amid political transformations and current challenges, Ajyal Association for Creativity and Development, in partnership with the Association of University Graduates, Gothoor Association for Development and Culture, and the Center for Strategic Research and Studies, organized an interactive roundtable discussion to examine two policy papers on youth access to decision-making positions and the future of governance in Palestine.
This event was held as part of the project “Enhancing Palestinian Civil Society’s Contribution to Shaping the Future of Palestine”, implemented by PalThink for Strategic Studies in partnership with a coalition of 15 community-based organizations from the occupied Palestinian territories.
The session took place on Thursday, March 6, with the participation of over 40 researchers and experts, who attended in person or via Zoom. The discussions revolved around two key themes: strengthening youth access to decision-making positions and forecasting the future of governance in Palestine amid political and social changes.
The first policy paper, titled “Perspectives on Enhancing Youth Opportunities in Decision-Making Positions in the Palestinian Context”, was prepared by Dr. Jamal Al-Fadi and Dr. Raed Al-Dubai. The paper explored the challenges hindering Palestinian youth from assuming leadership positions, particularly in light of the prevailing political, economic, and social conditions. It emphasized the need to empower youth by strengthening youth institutions, improving education and training opportunities, and fostering a more participatory environment. Additionally, it proposed practical solutions such as launching youth political platforms and enhancing their role in political parties, unions, and national associations, thus helping to break the cycle of youth exclusion from the political landscape.
The second policy paper, titled “Foresight Visions on the Future of Governance in Palestine”, was authored by Abdullah Sharshara and Dr. Ahmed Rafiq Awad. It examined potential scenarios for the future of the Palestinian governance system, considering ongoing political division, Israeli occupation, and regional and international developments. The researchers analyzed recent shifts in the Palestinian political system, such as the introduction of new positions like Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, as well as the establishment of the Administrative Committee in Gaza, and their impact on governance structures. The paper outlined several possible trajectories, including the prospect of political system reform within a national framework, the persistence of political stagnation, or the emergence of new governance models driven by regional and global shifts.
The roundtable concluded with a set of practical recommendations, emphasizing the importance of empowering youth in political decision-making and implementing structural reforms to develop the Palestinian governance system, making it more representative and responsive to current demands. The recommendations also underscored the critical role of civil society in supporting political transformations and fostering interactive channels between various political and civil actors, contributing to the realization of a more stable, just, and democratically participatory political system.
This event aligns with the objectives of the aforementioned project, which aims to strengthen the role of Palestinian civil society in policymaking by building a coalition of community-based organizations and organizing roundtable discussions on vital political and social issues. Through these activities, research papers will be produced to provide practical solutions to Palestine’s challenges, while also offering policy recommendations to decision-makers, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving the necessary reforms in various aspects of Palestinian life.
