Perspectives on Enhancing Youth Access to Decision-Making Centers in Palestine

A working paper offering practical proposals to strengthen Palestinian youth's presence in decision-making positions, drawing on the experience of Pal-Think's Youth Academy and a survey of the many obstacles.

Author

The Youth Academy team

Date

2024-04-20

Key points

• Youth make up more than 60% of the Palestinian population yet are absent from decision-making.
• Bureaucratic barriers and clientelist networks are the chief obstacles to youth participation.
• The youth academy's experience has proven change is possible through training and networking.

Recommendations

• Legislate youth quotas in municipal councils and legislative bodies.
• Require public institutions to include youth representatives on their advisory boards.
• Support youth incubators for political and community leadership.