Projects / Activities:
Since its establishment in June 2000, the Youth Development Department has worked on different levels to uplift and support the youth sector in Jerusalem. This included designing and implementing development programs to support youth organizations in Jerusalem and also targeting the youth themselves. Moreover, the YDD has worked towards networking the youth organizations in Jerusalem regionally and internationally with the aim of exchanging experiences and opening up the youth horizon and perspective. Through its local network, YDD has also organized and participated in numerous youth exchanges and seminars, whether on a local, regional or international level.
The following is a summary of these programs and activities:
Projects:
o The Youth Sector Study
In cooperation with the Multi-Sector Review project, the YDD implemented a comprehensive study on the Children and Youth sector in Jerusalem. This study resulted in producing a five years strategic and project planning document. The study, together with planning document, has been integrated in today's Jerusalem development plan that has been adopted and is being promoted by Jerusalem's leading NGO's.
o Partnership for Youth
Partnership for Youth program intended to serve the needs of the youth sector in Jerusalem through providing the targeted children and youth organizations with the adequate tools and sufficient capacities necessary to meet the needs and demands of this marginalized group. This falls directly in line with the objectives of the Partnership Grants Program in that the capacity of NGOs are strengthened and sustainable services delivered to poor and marginalized Palestinians.
The program targeted 6 community based organizations (CBOs)that work with youth in Jerusalem, and provided them with financial, technical and organizational support to administer small grants that ranged between $ 40,000 – 70,000 for a period of two years.
Through these grants, the CBOs implemented different programs and activities that targeted and benefited the local communities and met with their needs in their local realities.
Moreover, the program contained within it a capacity building program that aimed to provide training, consultancy service, and couching to the participating community based organizations. Issues that were tackled in the capacity building program included organizational management; financial management; community outreach and Public relations and fundraising.
o Youth Development Resources Center
The Youth Development Resources Center is a program initiated by YDD in response to the dear need in establishing a specialized center that would provide youth with the necessary skills for them to evaluate themselves and identify their needs in a realistic manner so as to make the most appropriate decisions concerning their future direction in the academic or vocational field.
To achieve this, the YDRC aims at the following:
- Providing youth with counseling and vocational training
- Developing a date base consisting of all vocational and community training centers and labor market in Jerusalem
- Creating a broad network of coordination and cooperation between the YDRC and the local community and all its sectors
The YDRC provides youth with a safe setting employed for serving the Jerusalemite youth with detailed information resources. In addition to the counseling, guiding, and social services it provides, it also consists of a specialized library, computer lab, internet service, and more. The YDRC will act as a professional body supporting Palestinian youth in Jerusalem, and direct them towards a more positive and productive future.
o The Development of Youth & Children Organizations in Jerusalem: Job Creation Project
This is an emergency project funded by the Islamic Development Bank and administered by the World Bank with the aim to create job opportunities for laborers and unskilled workers who lost their jobs because of the current political situation. The YDD integrated its goals in developing the youth organizations in Jerusalem with the higher goals of this project. This was through the restoration of a number of participating institutions, employment of activities coordinators, and a program for activating participating youth institutions.
More specifically the aims of the project were:
- Activating and rehabilitation of youth and children institutions in Jerusalem
- Job creation for laborers through the restoration of a number of participating institutions
- The development of youth institutions through building the capacities and training of activities coordinators, and activating the roles of their institutions
- Improving the infrastructure of youth institutions with the aim of better qualifying them for providing services and conducting programs.
The total budget of this project was USD 90,204, and it generated 650 working days as well as employing 7 youth workers for a period of 6 months.
Activities:
The following is a description of the activities (youth exchanges, trainings,…) that the YDD organized or took part in:
1. International Voluntary Workcamp
An international voluntary workcamp organized in cooperation with the International Palestinian Youth League (IPYL). In this workcamp 25 national and international volunteers were gathered for two weeks and worked in a local youth institution helping them in their summer activity.
YDD has coordinated and implemented the local segment of this activity.
Date: June - July 2000.
2. Italy for Palestine Week
As a gesture of expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and cause, hundreds of Italians have chosen to come to Palestine and perform a variety of cultural and artistic activities all around Palestine.
YDD has taken the lead in planning and organizing the activities in Jerusalem, recruiting number of volunteers from the different Jerusalem based youth organizations to help organize the event.
Date: September 2000.
3. International Work camps- France
Number of active youth leaders has been identified from previous activities with local partners. In order to encourage these young people and empower them, YDD has nominated and sent two active members of local partner to participant in a voluntary workcamp in France.
Date: September 2000.
4. Civil Service International Study Visit
A delegation of the Service Civil International (SCI) has made a study visit to Palestine. The Orient House and the YDD have been part of their program. In the meeting discussions were focused on future cooperation and projects. YDD has also briefed the group on the Political situation in Palestine.
Date: September 2000
5. Peace Tools: Limits of Violence and Tools for Resistance
Youth Action for Peace (YAP) organized an international seminar in Bethlehem that tackled the issue of the limits of violence and tools for resistance in pacifist and peaceful struggle for independence and self-determination, an issue which coincidently matched the accompanying political situation in Palestine (the break of the second Intifada).
In this activity YDD organized a political round table discussion between the seminar's participants and Mr. Faisal Husseini. Mr. Husseini and other experts from the International Relations department gave a political overview on the Palestinian/ Israeli conflict.
Date: October 2000.
6. Human Rights Education Forum (Youth Council)
In accordance with its plan in promoting human rights and active and responsible civic society, and also in accordance with its plan to empower local youth leaders, YDD has nominated and sent an active member of one of its local partners in Jerusalem to participant in Human Rights Education Forum, which was organized by the European Youth Council in Budapest. This is a long term project that is scheduled to extend over a period of three years.
Date: November 2000.
7. Meeting with Local Youth Insinuations
Since its establishment the YDD has organized number of meetings with representatives of different youth organization and youth activists in Jerusalem. The meetings aimed to exchange ideas and plans that could be set as a corner stone for the youth work in Jerusalem in general and the work of the department in particular.
8. International Day of Volunteers
The department has played vital role in the preparations and the implementations of the local volunteering activities in Jerusalem during the International Day of Volunteers. Over 300 volunteers worked in 6 different sites in the city. The YDD has managed to recruit this number of volunteers through its active coordination and its networking role. The day turned to a great success due to the involvement of the volunteers and their enthusiasm.
Date: December 2000.
9. YDD 2001’s Plan
With the presence of over than 20 youth organizations in Jerusalem, the YDD has launched its plan for the year 2001, where variety of building capacity, development, and training programs have been introduce.
Date: February 2001.
10. First Aid Training Course
A first aid training course has been organized by the YDD, with the cooperation of the medical relief committee for more than 30 employees of the Orient House, where the basics of the first Aid have been introduced.
This training goes with the department’s building capacity plan towards the employees of the Orient House.
Date: February 2001.
11. Seminar on Long Term Voluntarism
An international seminar organized by Youth Action for Pace (YAP) that tackled the issue of long term voluntarism, ways for promotion and implementation. Also discussions went to include different types of funding that could be found for such kind of activities.
YDD has actively participated in this seminar through the participation of its director.
Date: February 2001.
12. Salto Euro Med Training
Training organized by SALTO-YOUTH concentrating on the European Commission's Euro-Med budget line Youth projects. The training tackled several issues including regulations, sectors and program of support. YDD has nominated and sent an active member of one of its local partners with the intention to be trained on such kind of projects and to implement them in the future in his home organization.
Date: March 2001, Paris-France.
13. Young Leadership Training
The YDD has organized its first training for 2001, in accordance with its plan and the needs of the youth in Jerusalem. The training has been executed by the Center of Continuing Education (Birzeit University). More than 15 active youth workers representing wide variety of youth institutions participated in this training. The training focused on giving the leadership skills to the attendees and the different definitions, types, and skills of leadership. The course lasted for 25 training hours; certificates issued by Birzeit University have been issued to whom who fulfilled the participation criteria.
Date: April 2001.
14. Management and Fundraising Study Session
Training seminar organized by Youth Action for Peace (YAP) in the European Youth Center /Strasbourg – France. This training aimed to train the participants in managing their own youth institutions and to deliver some management and fundraising skills and contacts.
With more than 30 participants coming from different international youth organizations, this course lasted for 8 days.
YDD has been present and participated in the preparatory team of this study session, where tasks and duties of training and facilitating the discussions have been the major role of the prep team as a whole.
Date: April 2001.
15. Organizational Management Training Course
Training organized by the Inter-Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) in Copenhagen- Denmark. This training aimed to deliver the skills of organizational management to the participants representing youth institutions and platforms.
With more than 20 participants coming from different international youth organizations, this course lasted for 8 days.
YDD has nominated and sent two active members from its network of local partners.
Date: April 2001.
16. Violence Against Women in Europe
Seminar organized by the European Youth Council in Budapest – Hungary. This seminar aimed to sharing experiences and approaches in dealing with domestic violence against young women – including the problem of women trafficking in Europe, and to identify strategies to deal with these issues at a European level.
YDD has nominated and sent an active disabled woman experienced in this field.
Date: May 2001
17. Book Donations for Kindergartens in Jerusalem’s North – South Villages
YDD has made a tour to 10 different kindergartens in the villages to the North – West of Jerusalem. The needs and situation of each of these kindergarten have been observed and recorded to be included in a specialized database. This database will be used to support these kindergartens once potential donor or fund is allocated. Moreover, Fairy tail stories donated by DIKONIA have been distributed to each of them.
Date: May 2001
18. “Song on a Narrow Path” Movie Show
YDD together with Qafilah, organized a cultural event in the Orient House, where a movie produced and directed by Mr. Akram Safadi titled “Song on a Narrow Path” was played in the Orient House under the auspices of Mr. Faisal Husseini. More than 70 guests attended the show.
Date: May 2001
19. Organizational Management Training Course
The second training course was organized by YDD in cooperation with the Center of Continuing Education (Birzeit University). The targeted group was the youth in managerial positions of the various youth institutions, where almost 30 participants have represented this sector. The training focused on upgrading managerial skills and introducing new methods of planning and implementation. The course lasted for a total of 24 training hours with certificates issued by Birzeit University to those who successfully fulfilled the participation criteria.
Date: June 2001
20. For the City of Peace, in Memory of Faisal Husseini
In memory of the deceased leader, Faisal Husseini, YDD along with numerous local and international organizations have organized a full day of musical and cultural activities ranging from photo exhibitions, classical music, to Japanese and Palestinian folklore dancing. The event have been called “ For the City of Peace, in Memory of Faisal Husseini” and took place on the 27th of June at the Orient House, with over than 900 participants, mainly participants of the Japanese Peace Boat and local Palestinians, where they have paid their attribute to the late Mr. Husseini, who passed away on May 31st. The event have been a success and gained positive reputation inside and outside Jerusalem.
Date: June 2001
21. Management of Technical Cooperation Projects Training Course
Training course organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Turin/Italy. This training course aimed to empower the experience and professionalism of senior directors concerned with technical cooperation.
The training took place in Turin – Italy with a study visit to organizations in Geneva.
YDD nominated and sent an active participant to enrich her experience and to deliver what she has gained in this training to her home organization.
Date: June – July 2001
22. Long Term Volunteer in Finland
Through the partnership between YDD and ICYE (Inter-Cultural Youth Exchange), YDD has sent an active youth member to do a long-term voluntary work, for a period of six month. The European Commission, under the budget line of “European Voluntary Service (EVS)”, funds this project.
Date: July 2001
23. Peace Boat Cruise
Cruise organized by the Japanese 'Peace Boat' organization, cruising to many countries in the different continents, countries with political conflicts and economical poverty.
The cruise lasts for around 3 months, where the message of peace and solidarity is being delivered to each of the visited countries.
YDD has nominated and sent an active member of a local youth organization to participate in this project, where he had introduced the Palestinian vision of the Palestinian / Israeli conflict.
Date: June – August 2001
24. International Voluntary Workcamp
International voluntary workcamp organized in cooperation with the international Palestinian Youth League (IPYL). This work camp hosted around 20 national and international volunteers, and worked in local youth institution in the Old City of Jerusalem.
YDD have managed to cooperate with different youth organizations to bring this activity into a success.
Date: August 2001
25. International Workcamp in Germany
International voluntary project organized by “Offenen Zeltstadt” in Leverkusen / Germany. The workcamp lasted for two weeks, and the main activities were arts and music, where participants had the space to show their skills and hobbies for the public.
YDD has nominated and sent 3 participants that took part in this activity.
Date: August 2001
26. Jerusalem Voluntary Work Council
The YDD together with other local organizations in Jerusalem, have launched the Jerusalem voluntary council, to work as a coordinating body working on enhancing and developing the voluntary work in Jerusalem, as well as planning activities and voluntary campaigns.
YDD have been selected to be the head of this body.
Date: August 2001
27. Peace Boat Cruise
For the second consecutive time, the YDD have nominated and sent an active member of a local youth organization, to attend the Japanese Peace Boat cruise. She has presented her organization and the Palestinian / Israeli conflict to the interested Japanese crowd.
Date: September – November 2001
28. Seminar on Sustaining Our Cultural Heritage
Seminar organized by the European Mediterranean program (Euro – Med). This activity aimed at introducing cultures and heritage of different countries and nations.
It lasted for one week with over than 30 participants representing 6 different Mediterranean countries.
YDD has nominated and sent 3 members of local youth organization, to participate and present the Palestinian Culture.
Date: September 2001
29. Study Visit to Youth Organizations in South East Europe
Study visit organized by Youth Action for Peace (YAP) which aimed at finding partners and developing common youth projects with this part of the world.
With about 6 participants, visiting over than 15 youth organizations with different tools and objectives, the study visit lasted for a week.
YDD, through its long-standing relations with YAP, have participated in this study visit through sending one of it employees.
Date: September 2001
30. In Solidarity with Jerusalem
A voluntary action organized by the voluntary work council of Jerusalem, which the YDD of. Over than 100 volunteers have gathered on this day, and worked in 5 different sites in Jerusalem, to show their solidarity with the occupied city. More than 15 local and international organizations have participated in this work, which was only a step towards enhancing the voluntarism activities in Jerusalem.
Date: September 2001
31. Study Visit to Youth Organizations in Egypt
Aiming at establishing links and working relations with youth organization in the region, the YDD has organized a study visit to Egypt, visiting number of different youth and community based organizations.
The visit helped the YDD to get familiar with youth work in Egypt, exchanged experiences and opened the way for common and mutual projects between Palestinian and Egyptian youth.
During this visit over than 10 organizations have been visited in 3 different districts. YDD will work on linking these organizations with different youth organizations in Jerusalem, and encourage and help both to have projects together.
Date: September – October 2001
32. Tawasol
In order to bring Palestinian Youth from the different parts of the land, and in order to break the existing stereotypes between Palestinian Youth from Jerusalem and those from inside the Green line, YDD has initiated this ongoing project together with local Youth organizations.
The project involved 70 youth activists from both sides who were engaged in series of dialogues session focusing on different topics, including Palestinian culture, history and politics.
This is an ongoing project for one year; the first meetings have already started in January 2001.
33. Towards Strategic Plan for the Youth Sector in Jerusalem
YDD has organized a one day workshop on the 13th of February, to present the findings of the Youth Need and Resource Assessment, and to set up the priorities of the sector based on the findings.
Over than 80 persons have attended the workshop, representing over than 60 organizations, ranging from local based youth organizations, the Youth ministry and other governmental bodies, youth representatives body and donor organizations.
Date: February 2002
34. Seminar: Mediterranean in Action, Dream or Reality?
An international seminar organized by Youth Action for Peace (YAP), this seminar aimed at evaluating the work YAP has been doing over the past years in the Mediterranean Region. This evaluation would be the basis of strengthening the cooperation between the partners in Europe and in the Mediterranean and through developing common youth projects between these two regions.
In this seminar over than 30 youth activists participated, coming mainly from Europe and the Middle East (Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria), and lasted for one week.
YDD, through its long-standing relations with YAP, have participated in this seminar through having its Project Coordinator in the preparatory team of this activity.
Date: February 2002 – Vienna / Austria
35. Global Co-operation, Global Challenges for Youth (Youth Action for Peace Congress)
An international activity organized by Youth Action for Peace (YAP). The congress meets every three years to discuss and reflect upon the activities YAP is undertaking as an actor of social change. The congress has to define a set of priorities on which member organisations decide to work together during the next three years.
This activity lasted for one week and hosted over than 100 participants, representing over than 40 organizations from all around the globe.
YDD, through its long-standing relations with YAP, has participated in this congress through having its Project Coordinator in the Preparatory Team of this activity, and its director as a participant.
Date: February 2002 – Sopron / Hungary
36. Strengthening Bilateral Co-operation between European and Mediterranean Countries through EVS
Training seminar organized by Intercultural Youth Exchange (ICYE), this training seminar aimed at gathering youth workers and young people to develop long-term volunteering activities between Europe and the Mediterranean.
The training lasted for a week and hosted around 30 participants coming from various youth organization from Europe and the Middle East.
YDD nominated and sent active participants to enrich their experiences and to deliver what they have gained in this training to their home organizations.
Date: March 2002 - Istanbul / Turkey
37. Project Management in Actions for Peace
International training seminar organized by Youth Action for Peace (YAP), the aim of seminar was to train young leaders in running youth projects and implementing them effectively and efficiently in their youth organizations.
The training lasted for one week and hosted around 30 participants representing various international youth organizations.
YDD nominated and sent active participants to enrich their experience and to deliver what they have gained in this training in their home organizations.
Date: April 2002 – Strasbourg / France
38. Presentation of Jerusalem’s Youth Strategies
The Youth Development Department (YDD) has organized a one day workshop on the 9th of May, to present the 5 years strategic plans it has developed of the youth sector in Jerusalem.
These strategies have been presented to over than 20 active youth organizations, and they have been adopted and endorsed by the Youth organizations.
Date: May 2002
39. “Jerusalem Open for All” International Voluntary Work camp
Organized in cooperation with the international Palestinian Youth League (IPYL), this work camp hosted around 30 national and international volunteers, and worked in local youth institution in the Old City of Jerusalem.
YDD have managed to cooperate with different youth organizations to bring this activity into a success.
Date: August 2002
40. Study Tour on Conflict Resolution
Study tour organized by Service Civil International (SCI) with the aim of allowing young people from Palestine, Lebanon and Algeria to know about the youth work in Europe and developing possible common projects.
YDD nominated and sent active participants to enrich their experience and to deliver what they have gained in this trip to their home organizations
Place: Italy, Belgium, North Ireland
Date: September – October 2002
41. Study Visit to St. Nazaire and Nantes /France:
In accordance to the cooperation memorandum signed between the Orient House and the cities of St. Nazaire and Nantes, team consisting of 3 of the YDD staff has visited these cities in order to explore the possibilities of cooperation.
Seven different community, social, employment, and vocational training projects have been visited in these cities.
As a result of this visit an activity plan has been drafted between the two parties. This plan will be implemented over the coming three years.
Date: December 2002
42. “Stop Occupying Christmas” International Voluntary Work camp
International voluntary workcamp organized in cooperation with the International Palestinian Youth League (IPYL). This work camp hosted around 30 national and international volunteers. The volunteers worked in local youth institutions in Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Jericho. They have also participated in the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem despite the Israeli restriction and the curfew imposed on the city.
YDD cooperated with different youth organizations to bring this activity into a success.
Date: December 2002
43. “Volunteering for Peaceful Future in the Middle East” project:
Through this project 10 European long term volunteers were hosted in number of community and civic society organizations in Jerusalem, Hebron and Haifa.
The project lasted for six months and was organized in cooperation with the International Palestinian Youth League (IPYL), Youth Action for Peace (YAP), and funded by the European Commission – YOUTH programme.
Date: February – August 2003
44. “Youth Movements around the Mediterranean” Youth Exchange project:
Youth exchange program that took place in Barcelona / Spain for 10 days, in cooperation with a Catalan youth organization called “Friends of Palestine”.
The main idea of this project was to share the same feelings: youth enthusiasm, sharing one goal: to achieve a better, more understating and peaceful level of living, using one method: youth spirit and open thinking. The program included different workshops, discussions and games which concentrated on a variety of themes such as gender, immigration, identity etc.
With five groups representing five countries, YDD coordinated and selected the Palestinian participants among different organizations in Jerusalem.
Date: 14 – 24 March 2003
45. Seminar in studying and participation planning for an integrated intervention toward young people in East Jerusalem
A seminar organized by YDD, ARCI and CGIL (Italian NGOs) in order to explore the possible and best ways to exchange programs and cooperate between Jerusalem youth organizations and Italian organizations.
The program consisted of two workshops, with the attendance of over 40 representatives of different youth and civic society organizations, and field visits to different organizations and areas in Jerusalem.
Date: 18 – 22 May 2003.
48. Signature of cooperation agreement between the Youth Development Department and the municipalities of Saint Nazaire
A protocol agreement was signed for a period of 3 years for cooperation with the municipalities of Saint Nazaire for the establishment of a “Youth Development Resources Centre” for the Youth in Jerusalem.
Date: 6th July, 2003
49. Summer work camp in Buri Al Laqlaq youth organization in the Old City of Jerusalem
Organized by YDD in cooperation with IPYL. Around 15 local and international participants joined the camp. The work camp was successful in meeting the objectives of bringing together people from different countries and cultural backgrounds, and integrating them in the voluntary renovation work at the Burj Al Luqluq youth organization, in addition to raising their awareness to the cultural and political aspects of Jerusalem/Palestine.
Date: 4-18 July, 2003
50. Peace Boat Cruise:
YDD Director participated in Peace Boat cruise. The cruise took off from Mombassa/Kenya to Port Said/Egypt. He was successful in raising awareness through presenting the history and reality behind the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.
Date: 8-20 July 2003
51. Seminar in Intercultural Youth Dialogue: Post September 11:
YDD participated in the Intercultural Youth Dialogue held in Nazareth 21-25 September 2003 as one of the organizers for this seminar.
The seminar was organized by the Association for Arab Youth- Baladna in cooperation with Youth Action for Peace (YAP) for the second time in Nazareth, where 50 youth leaders representing youth organizations from more than 20 European countries and local representatives from the Israeli and Palestinian society gathered to discuss the aftermath of September 11th from a cultural, religious and social perspectives, while emphasizing the role of the media in shaping the nature of conflicts in the world.
52. Seminar in "Engaging Youth in Community Development":
YDD participated in this seminar which was held in Salzburg/Austria from 22-29 October 2003.
53. Seminar in "Youth Workers and Artists: Let's Work Together":
YDD participated in the Youth and Art seminar held in Tlemcen/Algeria from the 17-23 December 2003.
The seminar was organized by a Spanish organization: XARXA, and an Algerian organization: Association D'union et Promotion de la Jeunesse. Thirty participants from 6 countries (France, Germany, Jordan, Palestine, Algeria, and Spain) joined the seminar. The main objectives of the seminar was to exchange and share experiences on the different methods and tools that can be used to employ Art as an important tool when working with Youth, develop Euro-Mediterranean youth exchanges for the year 2004, explore youth work through art, use art as a method for integration between young people, and last but not least, to employ art as a method of understanding between the Youth coming from European and Mediterranean cultures.
54. "Training for Trainers" Workshop:
A training course titled: "Training for Trainers" was implemented in Beit Duqqu organization North West of Jerusalem. The training course took place between the 10th and 22nd of January, 2004 with 25 training hours. The training targeted project coordinators in youth organizations and youth leaders. A total of 21 participants joined the training course from four youth organizations.
56. Workshop introducing YDD three year- project entitled: "Youth Development Resources Center":
The workshop entitled "Role of Vocational Training Institutions in Responding to Youth's Needs in the Jerusalem District" was held in cooperation with the Employment Council on the 18th of February 2004, with the attendance of 25 people from 16 different training providers in the Jerusalem District. The workshop was held at the Arab Orthodox Club in Dahiet Al-Bareed.
57. Workshop for youth targeted youth beneficiaries of the YDRC entitled: "Your Way to Future":
The workshop attempted to clarify the idea of the Center (YDRC), and strengthen youths’ awareness to the nature of vocational training in Palestine. The workshop took place at the Arab Orthodox Club, on the first of April 2004. 27 young males and females participated in a very active manner. Specialists in vocational training facilitated group discussions in the workshop.
58. Youth Participation and Intercultural Learning through euro-med youth projects:
This is a long term training course for youth workers involved in Euro-Med youth projects. The training course took place on the 15–28 February, 2004 and will be followed up on the 14–25 February, 2005 in Budapest. This pilot course aims to develop intercultural learning and youth participation through Euro-Med youth exchange projects by supporting the capacity of youth workers to plan, manage, and evaluate sustainable Euro-Med youth projects aimed at promoting the democratic participation of young people. It also aims to initiate a series of local youth pilot projects addressing the priority issues in Euro-Med Co-operation (such as citizenship, participation, environmental protection, women’s rights and human rights education).
58. French Consulate Visit to YDD:
As co-funders of the Youth Development Resources Center project, a delegation from the French Consulate visited the YDD on Thursday 13th May, 2004 between 11 am and 1 pm. The purpose of this visit was to introduce our partners in the French Consulate to the YDD; background, activities, and goals; in addition to the introduction of YDRC, activities, the direction of the project, etc. Power point presentations were given by all YDD employees each presenting his/her project and YDD overall activities and programs.
59. SALTO Training ‘Step At Portugal’: Advanced Training on organization and project management:
The training took place between May 15th and 23rd, 2004 and targeted twenty youth workers and leaders from twelve Euro Med countries, in Estoril \ Portugal. Training started with a rich discussion about understanding organizations within the Euro-Med context, and strengthening the understanding of participants to the challenges facing transnational and intercultural organizations. Evaluation of projects and organizations was as well a subject for discussion. One of the most important aims of the training was for youth leaders to acquire skills that would help them create and maintain networks between euro med countries and organizations. The training also presented information about euro med rules and regulations for forming and applying projects.
60. “Young Voices for Peace” Youth Exchange Project:
This exchange program took place in Napoli – Palermo – Italy for 10 days, in cooperation with NMGO CISS “Internacionale Cooperacion Sud-Sud”. The main aim of this exchange was sharing and cooperation among the youth: youth enthusiasm and peace education to achieve peaceful understanding using one main method; youth spirit and open thinking. The program included different workshops, discussions tackling a variety of themes such as immigration, peace education, women role in the peace process, identity etc. With five groups representing five countries, YDD coordinated and selected the Palestinian participants among different organizations in Jerusalem. Youth exchange program dates were: 28 April – 8th May 2004. Place: Napoli – Palermo.
61. A Training Course on How to Organize International Youth Exchanges
Training and empowering participants to develop their attitudes, skills and knowledge to competently organize International Youth Exchanges and thus contribute to sustainable and developed participation of young people in democratic society with a strong emphasis on cultural diversity and the respect for Human Rights.
Place: Almada – Portugal
Dates: 08 – 18th July 2004
This Training organized by YEU – Youth For Exchange and Understanding
62. International Work Camp:
The Youth Development Department (YDD) in cooperation with IPYL organized for the 4th time an International Voluntary work camp in Burj Luqluq in the Old City of Jerusalem. In this camp, the volunteers worked in cleaning and painting inside the association. The work was inside both, the gardens of the center; removing grass, planting, preparing and any other work to develop the garden’s shape, and inside the buildings; cleaning, painting and renovating.
Place: Old City Of Jerusalem – Burj Luqluq
Dates: 17th – 30th July 2004
63. Intercultural Learning Seminar:
The International Learning as tool for a better Inter – Religious dialogue. This seminar is organized by Baladna for Arab Youth Association in partnership with YAP. YDD nominated and sent 5 active participant to this seminar.
Venue: Nazareth
Dates: 6 – 10th September 2004
64. Continuity Summer Camp:
In cooperation with Baladna Arab Youth Association, a summer camp is going top be held in Nazareth for the period of 1 week. YDD sent 15 children from different local organizations in Jerusalem to participate in this activity.
65. Contact making Seminar (Creating New Roads for Cooperation):
YDD participated in this project which brought youth workers representing different youth organizations from Europe and the Mediterranean. This seminar was held in Leira – Portugal from 09 – 14th of September 2004.
67. International Voluntary Work Camp:
In cooperation with the Solidarites Jeunesses in France, YDD sent one local volunteer to participate in an international voluntary workcamp.
Venue: Paris – France
Dates: 14/8 – 4/9/2004
68. Youth Workers Visiting Youth Organizations in Jordan:
YDD has implemented a study visit to several youth organizations in Jordan. 10 local youth workers have participated in this project, visiting different community work organization in Jordan.
This project is consistent of YDD's aim to establish a regional network between local Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem along with youth organizations in the Arab world.
Place: Amman – Aqaba /Jordan
Dates: December 2004
69. TATEM – Training Active Trainers in Euro-Mediterranean in Youth Work.
This project was organized in co-operation with the Euro-Med SALTO Resource Centre, and aims at developing and strengthening the know-how and skills of youth worker. YDD has nominated and sent an active youth worker to attend this training.
Place: Budapest
Dates: 22nd Nov – 3rd Dec, 2004
70. Euro – Med Cooperation as a tool for Peace: "Experiencing Volunteering in the Middle East" – LTVs
Through this project 12 European long term volunteers were hosted in number of community and civic society organizations in Jerusalem, Hebron and Jericho.
The project will last for six months and is organized in cooperation with the International Palestinian Youth League (IPYL), Youth Action for Peace (YAP), and funded by the European Commission – YOUTH programme.
Date: February – August 2005
71. “Mediterranean Cultures: Sharing what is common – Respecting what is different" Youth Exchange Project:
This exchange program took place in Haifa for 12 days, in cooperation with Baladna Association for Arab Youth”. The main aim of this exchange was sharing and cooperation among the youth: youth enthusiasm and peace education to achieve peaceful understanding using one main method; youth spirit and open thinking. The program included different workshops, discussions tackling a variety of themes such as religious perception, musical education, visits, etc. With five groups representing five countries, YDD coordinated and selected the Palestinian participants among different organizations in Jerusalem. Youth exchange program dates were: 15 – 26th February 2005.
72. Euro Mediterranean Youth Platform – Targeted Meeting 3
The targeted meeting aimed at bringing together young people from European countries least represented in the Euro-Med Youth Programme with their Mediterranean counterparts in an effort to increase their participation.
Place: Tunisia
Dates: 25th February – 1st March 2005
73. Training Course "Creative Organizer" on How to Organize International Youth Exchanges /Mollina - Spain
This course aimed at empowering participants to develop their attitudes, skills and knowledge to competently organize International Youth Exchanges and thus contribute to sustainable and developed participation of young people in democratic society with a strong emphasis on cultural diversity and the respect for Human Rights. YDD nominated 2 active youth workers from local partners to participate in the training course.
Place: Mollina - Spain
Dates: 27/2 – 8/3/2005
74. “Training on Organizational Management – Focusing on Voluntary Service and Youth NGOs“
Training course to train and empower participants to develop competencies to manage youth organizations (with a focus on voluntary service oriented ones) as to contribute to sustainable and developed participation of young people. YDD nominated an active youth worker to participate in the training course.
Place: Budapest
Dates: 21st – 26th of March, 2005
75. Training Course on Conflict Transformation
A training course organized to enable participants to engage with issues of conflict and conflict transformation that are present in their multi-cultural youth work. The training course focused on analyzing conflict, and conflicts specific contexts of youth work.
YDD nominated and sent one of its staff to participate in this training.
Place: Strasbourg
Dates: 31 March – 11