Ramallah – MIFTAH officially signed a memo of understanding with the Anti-Corruption Commission on November 6, regarding a joint plan for executing the national strategy for fighting corruption.
The agreement was signed by the commission’s head, Rafiq Al Natsheh, who commended cooperation with MIFTAH, saying he was looking forward to strengthening this cooperation and working jointly towards implementing the national anti-corruption strategy. He also declared his commission’s support for cooperating and working with the youth network, saying the commission was happy to work with civil society organizations. Natsheh called on all sectors of society to fight corruption, saying “Palestine deserved this” in spite of the presence of the Israeli occupation, which he said constituted the first face of corruption. The ‘second face’ he explained, were those who worked with it, including those involved in corruption.
MIFTAH CEO Dr. Lily Feidy reaffirmed the importance of the agreement, maintaining that MIFTAH was part of the AMAN Anti-Corruption Coalition. Such an agreement, she explained, would promote more cooperation with the anti-corruption commission in Palestine, saying this agreement would jumpstart this process. To support this, Natsheh also showed willingness to include the strategic plan for fighting corruption in the commission itself, which would ultimately result in a strategy and vision for 30 targeted youth in the training program, who come from various districts.
Feidy pointed out that Palestine is one of the pioneering countries in the field of fighting corruption at a time when neighboring counties had not yet reached the same level. “MIFTAH, as a civil society organization, helps youth in fighting corruption,” Feidy said. “When the Arab revolutions broke out, one of their most important slogans was fighting corruption in their countries, even as Palestine was already ahead in this area.”
The memo of understanding includes a group of goals, most significantly the promotion of social participation in anti-corruption efforts, through involving youths and civil society organizations, namely in the field of education, awareness-raising and capacity-building. This will also be achieved through holding a four-day training session targeting 30 youths on the principles of fighting corruption; producing a film on the level of awareness among Palestinian youths in fighting corruption and the role needed to join anti-corruption efforts; in addition to printing and distributing the youth network’s strategy for fighting corruption.
This was also confirmed by Dr. Hamdi Khawajeh, the director-general of planning and studies at the Anti-Corruption Commission. He said, in reference to the memo of understanding, that it includes training, educational and media activities that target the youth sector and which builds on MIFTAH’s activities which promote the role of youth in the fields of transparency and integrity. He also said there was another important side to the agreement, which is the production of a youth strategy for fighting corruption, which he hoped would be participatory. “We are also looking forward to continuing to support youth in carrying out this strategy,” Khawajeh said.
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.
