As part of a strategic partnership between AMAN and Sharek Youth Forum
Events of the 7th class of the Integrity School are concluded with broad participation of youth from across the West Bank
Ramallah – In the context of its strategic partnership with the Sharek Youth Forum, the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) concluded events of the seventh class of the Integrity School. With broad participation of young people from across the West Bank, the event was followed by the launch of the eighth class of the school.
Ms. Intesar Hamdan, Director of Awareness Raising and Community Outreach at AMAN, stated that the “Integrity School seeks to empower the knowledge of a select group of male and female young people throughout the West Bank in issues of transparency, integrity, accountability, and fight against corruption.” The Integrity School also follows up on academic working papers developed by these youth on issues relating to government integrity in Palestine. These are designed to implement practical initiatives on accountability together with relevant bodies. Later, initiatives are launched to promote the practice of community accountability in Palestine, particularly with local government units (LGUs).
The Integrity School contributed to providing capacity building to 42 male and female young people from across the West Bank. These are now empowered in issues of community accountability, values of transparency and integrity, and systems of accountability. Subsequently, participants carried out a variety of activities and events. Most notably, they held accountability sessions with 13 LGUs on various community issues. Having received extensive media coverage, this activity reflected a high level of skill, which the Integrity School students demonstrated in managing accountability sessions.
To complement the strategic partnership with Sharek Youth Forum, AMAN launched events of the eighth class of the Integrity School, which will engage 40 male and female young people. Out of 300 applicants from across Palestine, these youths have been selected on the basis of highly competitive standards.
Hamdan stressed that the youth were a significant asset. Investing in knowledge of the youth is worthwhile with a view to creating a generation that is highly aware and capable of holding to account decision makers and realising their rights in all fields. Hamdan emphasised the importance of sharing experiences between old and new cohorts of the Integrity School through peer education.
Mr. Bader Zamareh, Executive Director of Sharek Youth Forum, highlighted the importance of engaging and integrating the youth by promoting leadership, taking initiatives, leading advocacy campaigns for many community issues. This will strengthen the youth’s role in accountability and consolidate partnership with local communities.
Of note, AMAN is developing strategic and sustainable partnerships with a wide array of Palestinian institutions to implement quality interventions to enhance awareness of the values of integrity, principles of transparency, and systems of accountability. These exercises are also tailored to mobilise public opinion, raise public awareness, and create a culture that rejects corruption, encourages whistleblowing and prosecution of corrupt individual, and ensures that there is no impunity.
