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Ref: 152/2005

Date: 24 November 2005

PCHR Organizes a Workshop on Developing Mechanisms to Fight Poverty in Palestine

Participants called for rebuilding confidence between citizens and governmental institutions, funding small income-generating projects, and implementing reforms in order to enhance the fight against poverty in Palestine.

The Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Unit (ESC) at PCHR organized a workshop entitled “Developing Mechanisms of Fighting Poverty: An Evaluation of the Palestinian Experience.”  The workshop was organized as part of the PCHR’s efforts to reinforce the economic, social, and cultural rights of Palestinians, especially the right to an adequate living standard.  Representatives from the Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs attended the workshop alongside academics, development experts, and representatives from NGO’s working in the fields of development, health, relief, and human rights.

ESC researcher, Khalil Shaheen, opened the workshop by welcoming the guests and indicating that its aim was to stress the continuation of Palestinian national planning to end poverty, which deprives people of their dignity.  Shaheen asserted that the workshop would assess the Palestinian experience in this area, so as to develop plans and policies that will improve protection for the poor.  This is essential in order to fulfill their right to an acceptable living standard that includes adequate food, clothing, and housing, without discrimination.  Furthermore, Shaheen added that it is essential to assess the role of the international community in supporting national efforts to fight poverty in compliance with the development objectives set by the United Nations for the third millennium.

Mr. Ghassan Abu Hatab from the Birzeit University Development Studies Program talked about “Poverty and Sustainable Development.”  He stated that fighting poverty was at the top of the UN’s development goals for the third millennium. He pointed to the fact that efforts to fight poverty in Palestine tend to be more relief-oriented than developmental.  Mr. Abu Hatab indicated that poverty rates in Palestine are increasing horizontally and vertically.  At the same time, poverty assessment tools have regressed notably.  He called for adopting new social and economic policies to fight poverty.  Furthermore, he called for fundamental reforms to increase the share allocated to the poor in society.  Mr. Abu Hatab stressed the importance of strengthening civil society institutions working in the field of development, and the need to establish new societal regulations governing relations among social sectors.

Mr. Yahia al-Ghalban, Director of the Department for Fighting Poverty in the Ministry of Planning, talked about the work of the Palestinian national team in fighting poverty.  He stated that poverty in the Palestinian context is linked to internal and external factors.  He pointed to the role of the Israeli occupation in increasing poverty rates.  In addition, he pointed to the relationship between political, economic, and social policies and their link to the international scene, especially with the

overwhelming control of capitalism.  Mr. al-Ghalban presented the experience of the Ministry of Planning in working to fight poverty, in the form of establishing ministerial committees to prepare annual reports on poverty since 1997.

Mr. al-Ghalban pointed to the efforts to transform initiatives to fight poverty from the relief to the developmental sphere.  Furthermore, he mentioned the lack of coordination between the different parties working to fight poverty.  This, he stated, is wasting considerable financial resources.  Finally, Mr. al-Ghalban mentioned some positive aspects in indicators that measure poverty, such as the health and education indicators.  He stated that, despite the external restrictions, it is possible to build national strategies based on these indicators.

Mr. ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Hillis, Head of the Coordination Unit for Social Affairs Directorates in the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, talked about the Ministry’s social security network.  He stated that the aim of the network is to rehabilitate families in order for them to participate in the national development process as opposed to relying on relief aid.  He indicated that the network would improve the financial aid levels to include health and educational aspects.  Furthermore, Mr. Hillis said that the number of beneficiaries would increase to about 55,000 families, with a total of nearly half a million people.  He stated that the network, which started functioning in September 2005, targets the 10% poorest Palestinians living in areas controlled by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Ms. I’timad Muhanna, a development expert, talked about the role of UNDP in enhancing the fight against poverty in Palestine.  In her speech, she criticized drafting national development plans and strategies that rely on external funding without adhering to the true goals of development.  Ms. Muhanna stated that UNDP has put together a number of priorities that fall in line with the vision of the World Bank and international donors.  UNDP is limiting its work to democracy, fighting poverty, crisis intervention and environmental policies, in order to stop the deterioration of the Palestinian economy and the increase of poverty rates.

Ms Muhanna criticized the PNA’s indifference and lack of will to reform its institutional hierarchy.  The vision of the PNA’s current structure is limited to the immediate developmental needs and lacks a comprehensive outlook that takes the future into consideration.  Furthermore, the PNA’s structure lacks the will to fight corruption and lacks accountability and transparency.  Furthermore, she criticized some ministries for not implementing projects that target poor women.  As a result, she pointed out, UNDP has not been able to incorporate long-term development in its operational projects.

The workshop ended with discussion on the importance of developing mechanisms to fight poverty, develop governmental and NGO plans and strategies, and rebuild trust between governmental and non-governmental institutions.  These are essential to create a relationship of transparency and cooperation between the two sides.  With the assistance of international donors and within this new relationship, both sides can plan, implement and evaluate developmental initiatives to fight poverty and protect the poorest within the society.  The participants called for facilitating administrative and

financial reforms in the PNA, so as to distribute wealth, implement an effective anti-poverty policy, give greater care to the production and industrial sectors and support micro-projects.

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