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The historical role the Palestinian NGOs played during the occupation period was a clear indication on the uniqueness of the Civil Work in Palestine. With the continuous political, financial and spiritual support of the Palestinians solely representative, the PLO, the NGOs, the syndicates and other components of the civil society acted as representatives and "Porte Paroles" for the PLO inside the occupied territories. During the Israeli Occupation, the NGOs encouraged the Palestinian people to reject the occupation and to refuse to comply with its military orders. Their role was not limited to service delivery, but more importantly, in enhancing the steadfastness and the unity of the Palestinian people during the Israeli occupation. The establishment of the Ministry of NGOs Affairs, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world, came as a recognition from the Palestinian National Authority to the crucial and unique role the NGOs played in the liberation movement and the development process during the occupation period, and to highlight the concern of the PNA on the importance of developing a healthy, productive and active Civil Society work in Palestine, as a first step towards democratic society. It also came as a natural development after the establishment of a National Government, for the first time in the history of the Palestinian people, with an independent Socio-Political and Economical sovereignty. The main goal behind establishing this specialized ministry is to "Guarantee the freedom and independence of NGO work to complement and integrate the governmental work for the service of the various sectors" (Presidential decree no. 4 for the year 1999). The Ministry aims at coordinating and organizing work between all Palestinian and Foreign NGOs, and other various governmental Parties. Objectives: the Ministry of NGOs Affairs is working to fulfill the following aims: - Coordination and consolidation of work between NGOs and the various governmental institutions, and setting suitable mechanisms to achieve that. - Guarantee of freedom and independence of NG work to complement and integrate the governmental work for the service of the various work sectors. - Reviving and promoting the voluntary work and developing its concepts and principles. - Contribution in setting the charters of honor and mechanism of work, and the coordination between the NGOs working in the same sector. - Contribution in setting and designating the national priorities in various sectors in association with the NGOs and related ministries to present them to foreign bodies. - Contribution in setting the programs and mechanisms of reviving the social solidarity. - Development of the financial resources of the local, Arab, and international support to the NGOs. - Assurance of the utmost cooperation between the NGOs and the various Ministries to formulate mutual national orientations, especially in the development of the different fields. Plan of Action: Since it was established, the Ministry crystallized a strategic vision for its work and mission. This Strategic vision was developed in full cooperation with the NGO sector in Palestine, which aims at putting the necessary plans and programs needed for a more productive future of the NGO sector in the country, and to facilitate their missions, as well as, to provide all the possible aid to these organizations to continue playing their important role in the building process of the Democratic Palestinian State, and to coupe with the challenges facing the national development plan. To achieve this vision, the Ministry acted immediately by forming two committees: "Ministerial Committee" and " Coordination Committee. These specialized committees work together on designing the necessary plans for better cooperation and better production for the best of the Palestinian community. The first consists from representatives of all the Ministries, on a Director General level, and aims at unifying the official vision of all the governmental institutions, towards this sector, and to help developing the Sectorial Cooperation between the different Ministries and the Civil Society Organizations working in the same field. The second committee contains representatives from the five Palestinian NGO networks and the Director General of the Ministry. It aims at enhancing the "Partnership and Sharing" between the government and the NGOs sector, especially in the planned "National Comprehensive Development Plan", and building together new programs for the best of the Civil Society in Palestine; needs assessments and ways to facilitate their work. The structure of the Ministry: Currently, the Ministry is ran by the Minister H.E. Mr. Hassan Asfour, who attends all the cabinet meetings and report directly to the President of the Palestinian National Authority, and the Director General, in addition to well-trained staff of 35 employees, in its both offices, Gaza and Ramallah, running the following departments:
Relationship with the NGOs and the Palestinian Community: The idea of creating this Ministry was very welcomed by the Palestinian Community in general, and the NGOs working in Palestine, in particular. The public opinion and the NGO community were very supportive to the Ministry, which they considered as a modern step towards regulating and systemizing the Civil Society Work in the country. It also put an end to the confusion that lasted for some time on the role and future of the NGOs in Palestine. For more information write to: The International Relations Department
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