Pal-Think opens the «Training of trainers in democracy and human rights» programme

Pal-Think for Strategic Studies opened the training programme “Preparing a trainer in democracy and human rights”, under the project “SWITCH: turning the principles of human rights and democracy into daily life and practice for the residents of the Gaza Strip”, in cooperation with the European Union.
The director of Pal-Think for Strategic Studies, Mr Omar Shaban, opened the training by thanking the trainers and trainees for their commitment and their eagerness to take part in this training, especially amid the conditions the Gaza Strip is passing through — testimony to the intellectual maturity of Palestinian youth and their awareness of their role in defying those conditions through activities that build society and contribute to re-weaving the social fabric damaged by what the Gaza Strip is enduring.

Mr Omar Shaban expressed his pride at the programme's resumption after a year of interruption (since September 2023), despite the continuing war in the Gaza Strip, affirming the participants' resilience and determination and praising their resolve in advancing human rights and democracy.

He also stressed the importance of the role of youth in Palestinian society as a force capable of bringing about social change. He explained that the project's aim is to develop the capacities of human-rights defenders, change-makers, and civil-society leaders — by equipping them with the skills and information needed to monitor and document the state of human rights in society, in addition to strengthening the capacities of traditional and digital media institutions in spreading a culture of respect for human rights.

The training programme offers content rich in skills and knowledge under several important headings, such as: the standards of humanitarian work under international humanitarian law, integrity in humanitarian work and the possible violations, democracy from a gender perspective, and the skills of delivering initiatives that strengthen the values of democracy — qualifying the participants to carry out community initiatives and awareness meetings that pass the skills and knowledge they gained to their peers and their community, in cooperation with civil-society institutions across all areas of the Gaza Strip.
The project includes training 52 young men and women. Pal-Think has begun training the first group in the Middle Area governorate, and the training will continue with the remaining groups, including those to be delivered in Gaza City.
Pal-Think is always intent on continuing its work of supporting and empowering youth in peace and in war, preparing a generation able to build a society that faces every challenge and hardship.