Ref: 14/2009
Date: 01 June 2009
PCHR Opens the First Training Course Targeting Activists in Community-Based Organizations in Central Gaza
On Sunday, 31 May 2009, the Training Unit in the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) opened the first in a series of training courses on human rights and gender. The first course of PCHR training series targeted male and female activists working in community-based organizations in the central Gaza Strip. Twenty six female and male participants attended the first session of this course. The course is taking place in the Palestinian Youth Information Union in the central Gaza Strip for 5 successive days between 31 May and 4 June 2009 (20 training hours).
Abdullah ‘Othman, Director of the Palestinian Youth Information Union in the central Gaza Strip, opened the training course by welcoming the participants and thanking PCHR for its interest in youth. ‘Othman appreciated the role played by PCHR to disseminate human rights culture and democracy concepts amongst youth. He also urged participants to benefit as much as they can from this training course.
Bassam al-Aqraa’, Director of PCHR Training Unit, explained that this is the first training course of its type that PCHR implements this year for young male and female activists in community-based organizations. He stated that PCHR annually implements five similar training courses across the Gaza strip. Al-Aqraa’ said that the training program covers a number of human rights subjects, including: The International Bill of Human Rights with its three components (the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights); the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of death penalty; Convention on the Rights of the Child; the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women; gender; as well as rule of law and independence of the judiciary.
A team of specialized trainers from PCHR gave the training to the beneficiaries. The team of trainers includes:
1. Sharif Abu Nassar, lawyer in PCHR Legal Unit;
2. Majeda Shehada, researcher in PCHR Women’s Unit;
3. Samir Hassaniya, lawyer in PCHR Women’s Rights Unit;
4. Bassam al-Aqraa’, Director of PCHR Training Unit;
5. Salah Abu Hatab, social activist; and
6. Khalil Shahin, Director of PCHR Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit.
During today’s session, which is the first session, PCHR trainers used different training techniques that encouraged trainees to actively participate and engage in fruitful discussions.
