Palestine Youth Summit: From Aspirations to Actions

The European Union, Belgian development agency (Enabel), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Sharek Youth Forum, and the Representative Office of Denmark organised a two day Youth Summit, which took place in Ramallah on September 26 and 27. The highlight of the event was an open dialogue on the second day, where the representative of the Palestinian government engaged in discussions with approximately 200 young Palestinians from the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

This Youth Summit marks a significant milestone within the European Union Youth Empowerment Program, an EU initiative dedicated to fostering the socio-economic and political engagement of young Palestinians.

During the two day summit, the youth participants voiced their opinions, aspirations and shared their experience while engaging in the thematic sessions on economic empowerment, citizenship, leadership, and participation, climate action, artificial intelligence and storytelling. The summit yielded concrete policy recommendations, culminating in the creation of a pivotal Youth Charter. This charter articulates the challenges and aspirations of Palestinian youth and will serve as a guiding document for both the Palestinian government and the international community, ensuring that interventions align with the genuine needs of young Palestinians.

Furthermore, a panel discussion was held with key representatives, including the Advisor to the Prime Minister for Strategic Affairs Daoud al Deek, EU Representative Alexandre Stutzmann, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings, Belgian Consul General Wilfried Pfeffer, Sharek Youth Forum's Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors Ratiba Abu Ghosh, and seven elected youth who shadowed Palestinian ministers. The competitive atmosphere allowed Palestinian youth to nominate themselves for honorary ministerial positions, leading to engaging discussions with their peers, Palestinian government officials, and international community representatives.

The European Union Representative Alexandre Stutzmann said during the event that "the Youth Summit 2023 exemplifies the EU's unwavering commitment to empowering Palestinian youth, equipping them with the skills and opportunities they need to better engage politically, economically, and socially. By fostering economic empowerment, leadership, and addressing climate concerns, this summit has shaped the leaders of tomorrow and promoted positive change in Palestinian society."

Enabel Resident Representative in Palestine, Christelle Jocquet said: "I am deeply honoured to be part of the Palestine Youth Summit, where Enabel is committed to listening to Palestinian youth, their ideas, and their vision for a better future. We firmly believe in empowering young Palestinians as a driving force for positive change. The Youth Economic Empowerment in Palestine (YEP) project, funded by the EU, reflects our unwavering dedication to addressing economic challenges, especially for vulnerable youth and young women. In partnership with our esteemed partners, we're actively working to enhance Palestinian youth's employability, offering a comprehensive approach, including a First Employment Facility, specialised courses for continuous learning, and support for resilient micro and small businesses. Our commitment to constructing lasting pathways to economic prosperity and resilience for Palestinian youth remains unwavering."

The Head of Development Cooperation of the Danish Representative Office, Peter Bøgh Jensen, said, “Denmark continues to be steadfastly committed to supporting the positive role that youth have in the economic, civic, and political life of Palestine. As many of the challenges that youth face are unique, so are the solutions. The Youth Summit is a vital platform for decision-makers to not only listen to their ideas, but to centre youth in shaping their own future.”

Mr. Dominic Allen, UNFPA Representative in Palestine emphasized that "investing and engaging with Palestine's youth is an imperative for UNFPA and all partners - as it is a pathway to sustainable development, social cohesion and a hopeful future. UNFPA is humbled to work with many partners for the Summit - most importantly, Palestinian youth themselves - to support them in fulfilling their potential, exercising their rights, and making informed choices for their bodies, their lives and their world."

For her part, Ratiba Abu Ghosh, Sharek Youth Forum's Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors, said: “We are pleased to host the Palestinian Youth Summit as one of the most important initiatives for youth. We see that this large gathering at the Youth Village, which is an initiative and a dream of youth in Palestine, brings together youth from various governorates, including Gaza, to mainly discuss strategic issues of interest to Palestinian youth, as it establishes collective youth work and enhances their positive spirit."  

Shadi Othman (02 5415 867, 0599 673 958); Inas Abu Shirbi (02 541 5 859, 0599 673 957)