Pal-Think launches a research-reflection project: strengthening Palestinian civil society's contribution to shaping Palestine's future

Proceeding from the working philosophy of Pal-Think for Strategic Studies as an independent Palestinian thinking-and-reflection institution engaged in discussing strategic issues, and within the efforts to strengthen Palestinian civil society's role in drawing the outlines of the political, economic, and social future, Pal-Think launched the programme “Strengthening civil society's contribution to shaping Palestine's future”, in cooperation with Adam Smith International and in coalition with 15 Palestinian community organisations. The project will be delivered by organising a series of round-table discussion sessions (RTDs) addressing the principal political, social, and economic issues that concern Palestinians, and producing 7 research papers on issues that matter to the Palestinian present and future. In the opening session, Mr Omar Shaban explained that the project aims to strengthen Palestinian civil society's role in shaping the political transformation, reinforcing the institutions of the state, and strengthening the partnership among society's sectors. He also noted that the project works on building a strong coalition of community organisations that will cooperate with one another to reach consensus on the fundamental political issues in need of urgent reform — including reforming the Palestinian institutions, widening the role of women and youth, developing the Palestinian economy, and other issues touching the future of Palestinians across the Palestinian territories. Through these sessions, political dialogue will be strengthened among the different political and social forces within Palestinian society, including members of civil-society organisations, experts, and decision-makers.

He noted that the project's activities include realising a national partnership between civil institutions of the West Bank and their counterparts in the Gaza Strip, to discuss one of the fateful issues on the table and then emerge with a unified vision for confronting all the problems and issues standing before the national destiny.

The project will include producing policy papers grounded in the analyses and outputs reached through the sessions, covering pivotal issues such as reforming the political system, strengthening economic security, and guaranteeing Palestinians' fundamental rights. The findings and recommendations will be presented at a closing conference to ensure they reach decision-makers and influencers locally and internationally.

This project sits at the very heart of the work of Pal-Think for Strategic Studies, which continues its research and reflective effort in examining and discussing the fateful issues and offering recommendations and strategies to confront the attempts aimed at striking the structure of Palestinian society and dissipating its unifying national identity — especially in light of the decisive historical moment in the history of the Palestinian cause wrought by the Israeli war of extermination.