Ref: 09/2009

Date: 17 May 2009

PCHR Organizes Debate on Political Participation

On Sunday, 17 May 2009, the Democratic Development Unit of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), in cooperation with Sharek Youth Forum, organized a workshop on ‘political participation’. The event was held in Khan Younis, and was attended by 20 participants, including university students, and NGOs.

This workshop forms part of a series of events organized by PCHR, whose mandate includes enhancing and developing democracy within the Palestinian community. These events, often organized in cooperation with other NGOs, aim to provide information on democracy and participation. PCHR view such measure as essential, particularly in light of Palestinian citizen’s declining confidence in the democratic process. This lack of confidence has arisen consequent to the international community’s reaction to the results of the 2006 legislative council elections, and the internal political divide.

The workshop was led by Mahmoud al-Efranjy, a researcher in PCHR’s Democratic Development Unit. Salah abu hatab, a social activist, discussed political participation in the democratic regime. Presentations were followed by a debate which focused on the features, characteristics and determinants of political participation.