Ramallah – Last week, MIFTAH organized a literary review session for the Palestinian youth network entitled: “The Malaysia and Singapore experience”. The session was held as part of the “Empowerment of Palestinian Youth Leadership” Program in partnership with NDC. The goal was to learn about the experiences of these countries in building productive economic systems in spite of the scarcity of resources and potentials after they gained their independence. The session was framed within the context of empowering the members of the group and building their capacities at various levels, especially in terms of alternative production systems, recruiting resources, effective planning mechanisms, alternative funding and ways of implementation.
MIFTAH CEO, Dr. Lily Feidy says MIFTAH seeks to build a modern, civil and democratic society and therefore focuses on empowering social and political youth leaders as one strategy for action and enabling them to be part of the social change process in Palestinian society.
The session addressed the importance of the economic system and its impact on the political system in addition to its impact on the strength or weakness of a country. The participants discussed the nature of the economic systems adopted by Malaysia and Singapore, which combine between the mixed internal economic system they each follow and the dual model that merges the internal structure in a socialist economic model and the characteristics of openness and international unions in the capitalist economic model. The focus of the discussion was on the steps that Malaysia carried out to build its economy such as encouraging foreign investment in Malaysia with the enticement of major facilitation in this regard and creating economic alliances with regional and international forces. Malaysia now has over 40 regional and international economic alliances; another step they took was to pay attention to production quality, ability to compete, import substitution, supporting local production, etc.
The participants came up with a group of recommendations based on the Malaysian and Singaporean models aimed at offering constructive suggestions for creating a productive Palestinian economy that takes advantage of resources and brings down the unemployment rate. Some of the more prominent recommendations were developing an educational system in Palestine and supporting the Palestinian production sector to enable it to compete in local markets and eradicate the ‘quality’ complex; this complex is what drives the culture of refusal to replace foreign products with local ones which are not up to par in terms of quality. This entails imposing conditions and taxes on non-local products which have a local alternative.
Another recommendation was the need for the planning and administrative development ministry to devise constructive plans that would respond to the current economic condition and which include taking advantage of open spaces and land for production projects that would help to employ more workers and gear them away from work inside Israel. This would also have a positive impact on lowering unemployment rates and creating economic stability and independence. Of course this would necessitate a review or cancellation of the Paris Protocol and the possibility of reaching Arab and international economic agreements that would help build the Palestinian economy and encourage investment inside the Palestinian territories.
MIFTAH was granted a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations' ECOSOC
Date posted: September 28, 2020
By MIFTAH
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy- MIFTAH was granted a special consultative status to work with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), through which MIFTAH seeks to contribute to promoting the Palestinian narrative and international advocacy based on international legitimacy and United Nations resolutions related to the Palestinian cause.
The ECOSOC is the principal organ that coordinates the economic, social, environmental and related work of the 14 United Nations specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. It serves as the central forum for discussing international economic, and social and environmental issues, and for formulating policy recommendations addressed to Member States and the United Nations system.
ECOSOC provides NGOs the opportunity to be heard by a truly global audience and contribute to its agenda. ECOSOC has been the main entry point into the UN system for NGOs. ECOSOC remains the only main UN body with a formal framework for NGO participation
What is Consultative Status?
Consultative Status is an accreditation framework that benefits both the United Nations and the NGOs. Consultative arrangements are to be made, on the one hand, for the purpose of enabling the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations having special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views according to ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part II, paragraph 20.
NGOs with Consultative Status can work with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in various ways, including in consultation with Member States. They can also contribute to a number of activities including information dissemination, awareness raising, development education, policy advocacy, joint operational projects, participation in intergovernmental processes and in the contribution of services and technical expertise
An NGO with consultative status can attend international conferences and events, make written and oral statements at these events, organize side events, enter United Nations premises, and have opportunities to network and lobby.
MIFTAH considers obtaining this Consultative Status timely and paramount to begin organizing its participation through the Council's sessions during 2021.
Signing ceremony for new cooperation agreement between MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office
Date posted: November 28, 2019
By MIFTAH
Ramallah – MIFTAH and the Norwegian Representative Office to the PA signed on Monday, November 26 a new one-year cooperation agreement in a ceremony held in Ramallah.
Head of the Board of Directors, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, signed on behalf of MIFTAH while Norwegian representative, Ms. Hilde Haralstad signed on behalf of the Norwegian Representative Office.
During her speech at the signing, Dr. Ashrawi said, "For the past 18 years the Norwegian Representative Office has been one of the oldest and most significant of MIFTAH's supporters in its efforts towards promoting the principles of democracy and good governance in Palestine”. She also said this support was a continuation of the crucial work at this stage in supporting and empowering young leaders and women as change-makers, saying it gives this sector the ability to influence and change, especially in light of the difficult circumstances and challenges of the current political stage. Ashrawi also reiterated the importance of collective efforts in a coordinated and holistic manner between the various parties, which inevitably lead to change.
Dr. Ashrawi reaffirmed the Norwegian support for the Palestinian cause, expressing hope that Norway and other likeminded countries continue to stand on the right side of human rights and good governance and recognize the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, freedom, justice and statehood. She concluded her speech by expressing sadness for Ms. Haralstad's departure from Palestine, where she has served since 2016.
Meanwhile, Ms. Haralstad confirmed Norway's continued support for Palestine in its quest for statehood and human rights. She said she was proud to have partnered with an institution that supports the principles of democracy and good governance and which works for women's and youth issues such as MIFTAH. She also stressed on the important role Palestinian civil society institutions play in supporting the Women's Peace and Security agenda and expressed her sadness for leaving Palestine, saying she would continue to support the Palestinian cause.
The signing was attended by women's and rights institutions in addition to MIFTAH board members, representatives from the General Union of Palestinian Women and representatives from other MIFTAH funders and partners.
