A training programme: «Social-media skills and building a digital identity»

Pal-Think for Strategic Studies opened a training programme titled “Social-media-platform skills and building the digital identity”, which extends from 19–21 November 2019, within the project “Youth Forum for Politics and Development”, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which aims at building the capacities of rising Palestinian youth in strategic thinking and communal work, with the participation of 25 trainees, chosen on the basis of their competences.

The training was opened by the institution's director, Mr Omar Shaban, welcoming the trainer Mohammed Abu al-Qumboz and the trainees, pointing to the institution's active and constant role in developing Palestinian youth's capacities of strategic thinking, and in honing their skills in the various fields.

He said that this training's importance comes from the necessity of employing the social-media means, to find customers and clients and reach thousands of followers of all nationalities at a negligible cost — especially with the youth's heading toward freelance work via the internet in light of the rise of unemployment in the Strip at unprecedented rates. He added: “We invest in the youth to serve society, as the existing trainings were set to fill the youth's needs, and they are the very skills required in the labour market”.

In his turn, the trainer Mr Mohammed Abu al-Qumboz welcomed the attendees, and thanked the “Pal-Think” institution for its qualitative projects that it presents to the youth, especially in the field of the social-media means, and spoke of the importance of making a digital identity for the entrepreneur, so that they can find customers of various nationalities. He also reviewed successful Arab and international models.

The training's first day took up several interactive activities the trainees carried out through joint groups, to develop working in a team spirit. They also trained on the methods of building the digital identity, and also on promoting themselves professionally on the social-media sites.

The trainees expressed their gratitude to “Pal-Think” for the quality of the training: the trainee Amjad Abu Kmeil (22 years) said: “We are in utmost need of such trainings at the personal and communal level. This training is distinguished, qualitative, and enriching, and it increases our awareness and makes us look at the social-media means from another angle”.

Amjad, a graduate of the faculty of engineering, added: “The trainings in the Youth Forum for Politics and Development project developed my communication, leadership, and marketing skills, and will help me achieve what I strive for”.

From her side, the trainee Jumana Abu Samir (19 years) said: “The training is extremely useful, especially the field of the digital identity, because I am interested in publishing on the Instagram application, and this training will gain me new skills and knowledge that help me reach a wider audience”.

She concluded by saying: “The training atmosphere Pal-Think provides is wonderful… this project works on building an effective human being who serves society”.

It is recalled that the project “Youth Forum for Politics and Development” will extend to the month of April 2020, and contains varied lectures in Palestinian law, democracy, and others. It also includes five varied training programmes, such as: leadership and communication skills, building the digital identity on the social-media sites, conflict resolution, writing research papers, and others. Through the project, “Pal-Think” aims at developing the knowledge and culture of Palestinian youth, and stimulating the culture of dialogue and constructive discussion.