Report on the Initiative "Caravan of Change: A Youth Journey to Leadership"

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Report on the Initiative "Caravan of Change: A Youth Journey to Leadership"

  1. Introduction

The "Caravan of Change: A Youth Journey to Leadership" initiative is part of PWWSD’s efforts under the "Enhancing Palestinian women's political participation and influence" project. The project aims to contribute towards increased political participation and influence of women and youth in the democratic political development in Palestine. The project also seeks to empower women and youth leaders by providing them with the skills and knowledge to enhance their capabilities as well as their abilities to raise their voices for women's rights and human rights and make sure that these voices are heard by duty bearers and decision-makers.

Within the previously furnished description of the overall goal and objectives of the project, the Two-Day Training Program for 21 young leaders’ members from the PWWSD Youth Forum, was implemented. The overall objective of the training program was to enhance the capacities of young leaders in the fields of Advocacy, Public Speaking, Leadership, and Life Skills. This initiative was developed as a result of the training program.

 

Key Themes:

  • Advocacy and public engagement.
  • Leadership and life skills for youth.
  • Encouraging the inclusion of women and youth in political life, particularly in preparation for the 2025 local elections.

 

  1. Objectives

Primary Objective:

To enhance the role of youth and women in political and social decision-making processes in Palestinian society.

Specific Objectives:

  1. Facilitate constructive dialogue between youth, women, and local decision-makers.
  2. Equip youth with tools and knowledge to lead community initiatives.
  3. Address challenges related to women's political and social participation.
  4. Promote local democracy, transparency, and accountability.
  1. Participants

Youth aged 18-35, engaged in workshops aimed at enhancing political and social participation, particularly for women.

  1. Activities Executed
  2. Visit to Beit Laqya (12/11/2024)

 

Purpose: To explore women's leadership in local governance and identify community development priorities.

  • Host: Head of the Beit Laqya council, Arij Assi (serving her second term).
  • Agenda Highlights:
  • Arij Assi shared her journey in local governance and her role in improving infrastructure and public services.

 

    • Discussion topics included:
      1. Strengthening women's participation in governance.
      2. Addressing infrastructure challenges (roads, water supply, and sanitation).
      3. Supporting youth initiatives for leadership and entrepreneurship.
  • A dialogue session with youth participants, council members, and shadow council representatives.

 

Outcomes:

  1. Stablish a new network between the Rafat Women Association and the Youth Center of Beit Laqya; as both of them are planning to develop a culture and entertainment center.
  2. Ideas to prepare project proposals for infrastructure improvement.
  3. Recommendations for expanding women-focused programs.
  4. Youth participants committed to follow-up engagement for monitoring progress.

 

  1. Visit to Ein Areek (12/11/2024)

 Purpose: To explore gender-inclusive community development and understand local challenges.

  • Host: Women’s Center Director Maha Awad and Deputy Council Head Hussein Qirabsa.
  • Agenda Highlights:
  • Presentation of the Women’s Center’s achievements, including mental health services and community outreach.
  • Tour of the village, including significant cultural landmarks like the Annunciation Church - Ein Arik.
  • Discussions on enhancing youth engagement and providing safe spaces for their development.
  • Emphasis on collaboration between the council and Women’s Center to empower women and integrate youth in village projects.

Outcomes:

  1. Acknowledged the need for vocational training and youth-oriented programs.
  2. Commitment to expand funding proposals for public spaces and infrastructure projects.
  3. Joint ideas to advocate for international donor support.

 

  1. Key Achievements
  1. Enhanced Youth and Women’s Voices:

Constructive dialogue sessions connected young leaders with decision-makers, fostering mutual understanding and actionable recommendations.

  1. Identified Community Needs:
  • Infrastructure and basic service challenges.
  • Expansion of women and youth-focused programs.
  1. Strengthened Collaboration:
  • Built trust between local councils, NGOs, and community groups.
  • Inspired youth participants to engage in ongoing advocacy efforts.

 

  1. Challenges
  1. Limited Financial Resources:
    • Both villages face significant funding gaps for infrastructure and public service projects.
  2. Sustaining Momentum:
    • Ensuring ongoing collaboration between stakeholders requires consistent follow-up and engagement.

 

  1. Recommendations

For PWWSD and Donors:

  1. Support Youth and Women’s Programs:
  • Fund additional advocacy and leadership training.
  • Provide resources for Women’s Centers to scale their impact.
  1. Address Community Infrastructure Gaps:
  • Facilitate grant applications to international donors for public works and youth facilities.
  1. Strengthen Youth Engagement:
  • Introduce vocational and entrepreneurial skill-building programs.
  • Create safe and inclusive spaces for youth activities.
  1. Monitor and Follow-Up:
  • Establishing a task force to support such initiatives seeks to re-build the relationships between local communities and decision-makers.

 

  1. Conclusion

The "Caravan of Change" initiative successfully highlighted the potential of youth and women as agents of change in Palestinian society. It created a platform for dialogue and actionable recommendations that align with PWWSD’s mission to enhance gender equity and youth leadership. Sustaining this momentum will require collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, including donor support.