ActionAid Palestine to Conclude Second International Youth Gathering in Solidarity with Palestine in Tanzania
Exchanging Experiences and Building Youth Network
Arusha-Tanzania -ActionAid Palestine(AAP) concluded the Second International Youth Gathering(IYG) in Solidarity with Palestine in Tanzania in solidarity with Palestine in Tanzania with participation of 32 African, European and Palestinian young people through its programme of “Civic and Democratic Participation of Palestinian Youth”(CIV). This gathering lasted for 6 days during which youth were trained on building international advocacy and solidarity youth campaigns advocating for justice, peace and self-determination for the Palestinians.
This gathering provided an opportunity for Palestinian young people coming from Gaza, West Bank, Green Line, East Jerusalem and Diaspora to talk with their international pioneers about the key issues of Palestinian case and think in actions that could be taken to build solidarity and advocacy campaigns with Palestine .
Palestinian youth met with youth activists exchanging ideas and experiences about best tools and mechanisms used for networking , mobilizing communities and building coalitions in the field of advocacy campaigns. This gathering has positively impacted all participants encouraging them to engage in technical and informative dialogue about technical issues regarding solidarity and advocacy campaigns with Palestine.
Speaking during the closing session of IYG, the country director of AAP, Ibrahim Ibraigheth said: “ this gathering was conducted to empower Palestinian youth and increase their life skills and experiences through knowledge and networking with African and European youth so they can analyze challenges youth face. Youth were trained on developing new mechanisms for facing those challenges and build solidarity networking and joint political work aiming to establish their rights in decision making processes and political participation and solidarity at national and international levels”.
Ahmad Darwasha from Nazareth from Greenline who is a youth activist in the field of political rights and freedom of expression expressing his happiness to meet Palestinian youth from different places saying: “we thought we wouldn’t be able to get along together as we didn’t have much time to know each other. However, we were surprised by the end result. It was very useful for me because I learned many things in building advocacy campaigns despite of Israeli obstacles. This made it very hard saying goodbye, knowing that it was kind of impossible for all of us to meet again. We wish we could meet again; not in Tanzania , but in Palestine”.
This gathering also includes representatives of AAP’s programme’ s partners including 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies(MASARAT) and Alternative Information Center (AIC) to enrich the dialogue and discussion initiated during the sessions . A Palestinian political researcher and analyst, Khalil Shaheen representing MASARAT commented: “this gathering is a fruitful outcome of our strategic thinking training we implement in partnership with AAP through CIV programme and it helps Palestinian youth networking between each other on national level and other youth in the world on international level”.
Background Information
ActionAid
ActionAid is ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. It is a leading international charity working in over 45 countries. We work with the poorest women and children in the world, changing their lives for good. Our local staff provide immediate, hands-on support to women and children living on the margins of survival. Together we demand action at local, national and international level. We don’t walk away until we’ve achieved lasting change.
For more information, please contact:
Riham Jafari Coordinator of Advocacy&Communication in ActionAid Palestine
Mobile Number: +972 (0) 595242890
Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org