Endorsement Statement - Palestine Investment Conference.
Endorsement Statement - Palestine Investment Conference.
Endorsement Statement - Palestine Investment Conference.
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<strong>Endorsement</strong> <strong>Statement</strong><br />
We extend our support and endorsement of the <strong>Palestine</strong> <strong>Investment</strong> <strong>Conference</strong>, PIC-<strong>Palestine</strong>, to<br />
be held between May 21- 23 2008 in Bethlehem, <strong>Palestine</strong>.<br />
We see in PIC-<strong>Palestine</strong> great potential to jumpstart the process of integrating <strong>Palestine</strong> with the<br />
regional and international economy; ultimately contributing to the achievement of sustainable<br />
peace.<br />
We join hands with the international community and the Palestinian public and private sectors in<br />
endorsing this conference, and strongly urge all concerned parties to contribute to its success.<br />
1
Contents<br />
National and Regional non-profit Supporting Organizations................................................. 7<br />
Ahali Center for Community Development................................................................................................................................ 8<br />
Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center - Jordan................................................................................................................................ 9<br />
Arab Hotel Association - <strong>Palestine</strong>...................................................................................................................................................10<br />
Arab Planning Institute - Kuwait.....................................................................................................................................................11<br />
Association of Banks in <strong>Palestine</strong>......................................................................................................................................................12<br />
Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce & Industry.......................................................................................................................13<br />
Building & Construction Research Center (BCRC) - <strong>Palestine</strong> .....................................................................................14<br />
Business Women Forum – <strong>Palestine</strong>...............................................................................................................................................15<br />
Center for Continuing Education (CCE) Birzeit University.............................................................................................16<br />
Center for Development and Labor Studies Association – Gaza.....................................................................................17<br />
Center for Urban & Regional Studies............................................................................................................................................18<br />
An-Najah National University (CURP) Chamber of Commerce & Industry..........................................................18<br />
Ramallah & Al-Bireh Gov...................................................................................................................................................................19<br />
Deanship of Academic Research Hebron University..............................................................................................................20<br />
Deanship of Scientific Research - An-Najah National University....................................................................................21<br />
Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture..........................................................22<br />
Hebron Chamber of Commerce & Industry.............................................................................................................................23<br />
Institute of Business and Economic AL-Quds University....................................................................................................24<br />
Jenin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, & Agriculture.......................................................................................................25<br />
Jerusalem Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry..............................................................................................................26<br />
Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights..................................................................................................................27<br />
Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC)...........................................................................................................................................28<br />
Jordanian Businessmen Association................................................................................................................................................29<br />
MA’AN Development Center - <strong>Palestine</strong>.....................................................................................................................................30<br />
Nablus Chamber of Commerce & Industry...............................................................................................................................31
Nazareth Cultural and Tourism Association...............................................................................................................................32<br />
NGO Development Center - <strong>Palestine</strong>.........................................................................................................................................33<br />
Opinion Polls and Survey Studies Center An-Najah National University...................................................................34<br />
<strong>Palestine</strong> Fair Trade Association (PFTA).......................................................................................................................................35<br />
<strong>Palestine</strong> Institute For Financial & Banking Studies..............................................................................................................36<br />
<strong>Palestine</strong> Project Management Association “PMA” ...............................................................................................................37<br />
<strong>Palestine</strong> Trade Center – Paltrade.....................................................................................................................................................38<br />
Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (P.A.R.C).........................................................................................................39<br />
Palestinian Association of Certified Public Accountants (PACPA).................................................................................40<br />
Palestinian Businessmen Association..............................................................................................................................................41<br />
Palestinian Businesswomen’s Association – Asala.....................................................................................................................42<br />
Palestinian Contractors Union (PCU)...........................................................................................................................................43<br />
Palestinian Economists Association ...............................................................................................................................................44<br />
Palestinian Federation of Industries (PFI)....................................................................................................................................45<br />
Palestinian Heritage Center.................................................................................................................................................................46<br />
Palestinian Insurance Federation - PIF..........................................................................................................................................47<br />
Palestinian IT Association of Companies “PITA”...................................................................................................................48<br />
Palestinian Shippers’ Council (PSC)...............................................................................................................................................49<br />
Palestinian Women’s Research &......................................................................................................................................................50<br />
Documentation Center ........................................................................................................................................................................50<br />
Planning & Development Dept. - <strong>Palestine</strong> Polytechnic University.............................................................................51<br />
Qalqilia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture...............................................................................................52<br />
Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA).......................................................................................................................................53<br />
Salfeet Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture..................................................................................................54<br />
Sidreh.............................................................................................................................................................................................................55<br />
The Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture - Tulkarm......................................................................................56<br />
The East Jerusalem YMCA..................................................................................................................................................................57<br />
The Palestinian Farmers Union.........................................................................................................................................................58<br />
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy - MIFTAH........................59<br />
The Institute for Area Studies (IAS) AL-Quds University..................................................................................................60
Union of Stone & Marble Industry – USM In <strong>Palestine</strong>.....................................................................................................61<br />
YWCA of <strong>Palestine</strong> .................................................................................................................................................................................62<br />
International non-profit Supporting Organizations ........................................................................64<br />
ACDI / VOCA - West Bank Field Office....................................................................................................................................65<br />
American Arab Chamber of Commerce.......................................................................................................................................66<br />
American Federation of Ramallah, <strong>Palestine</strong>..............................................................................................................................67<br />
Arab American Institute........................................................................................................................................................................68<br />
Arab American Foundation.................................................................................................................................................................68<br />
Arab-Belgium-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce...............................................................................................................69<br />
Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry ......................................................................................................70<br />
Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce................................................................................................................................................71<br />
Aspen Institute...........................................................................................................................................................................................72<br />
Association of Business Executives...................................................................................................................................................73<br />
Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry - AACCI.......................................................................................74<br />
Austro - Arab Chamber of Commerce..........................................................................................................................................75<br />
Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry......................................................................................................................76<br />
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Southern Sweden................................................................................................77<br />
Chambre de Commerce Franco-Arabe..........................................................................................................................................78<br />
Czech Arab Chamber of Commerce...............................................................................................................................................79<br />
DLA Piper....................................................................................................................................................................................................80<br />
European Palestinian Chamber of Commerce EPCC...........................................................................................................81<br />
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).................................................................................82<br />
Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation..........................................................................................................................83<br />
International Foundation for Election Systems.........................................................................................................................84<br />
International Labour Organization.................................................................................................................................................85<br />
Japan Bank for International Cooperation..................................................................................................................................86<br />
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)............................................................................................................................87<br />
Japan International Cooperation Agency - JICA.....................................................................................................................88<br />
MEDEF International...........................................................................................................................................................................89
National U.S. - Arab Chamber of Commerce...........................................................................................................................90<br />
PricewaterhouseCoopers.......................................................................................................................................................................91<br />
The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt)..............................................................................92<br />
American Task Force on <strong>Palestine</strong> - ATFP...................................................................................................................................93<br />
The Bethlehem Association.................................................................................................................................................................94<br />
The Carter Center - West Bank & Gaza Field Office.............................................................................................................95<br />
The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce............................................................................................................................96<br />
The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations..........................................................................................................................97<br />
The Palestinian American Chamber of Commerce – PACC..............................................................................................98<br />
The Portland Trust ..................................................................................................................................................................................99<br />
The U.S.-Bahrain Business Council (USBBC) .....................................................................................................................100<br />
The US-Arab Chamber of Commerce .......................................................................................................................................101<br />
The US-Qatar Business Council....................................................................................................................................................102<br />
TUGIAD - Young Businessmen Association of Turkey.....................................................................................................103<br />
U.S. Chamber of Commerce...........................................................................................................................................................104<br />
U.S.-Arab Economic Forum (USAEF).......................................................................................................................................105<br />
UNDP/ Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People – oPt..............................................................................106<br />
United Nations World Food Programme – oPt.....................................................................................................................107<br />
United Nations Population Fund - Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People...................................108<br />
United Palestinian Appeal, Inc.......................................................................................................................................................109<br />
UNSCO.....................................................................................................................................................................................................110<br />
US- Palestinian Public Private Partnership...............................................................................................................................111<br />
US UAE Business Council ..............................................................................................................................................................112<br />
WHO - West Bank & Gaza Office..............................................................................................................................................113<br />
World Bank Group...............................................................................................................................................................................114<br />
World Economic Forum....................................................................................................................................................................115
Names of Institutions<br />
National & Regional<br />
non-profit<br />
Supporting Organizations:<br />
7
Ahali Center for Community Development<br />
Promoting Grassroots Activism Among the Palestinian Minority in Israel<br />
Ahali is an independent not-for-profit organization established in 1999 to strengthen grassroots activism<br />
among Palestinian citizens in Israel. Ahali works through community organizing, used as a mean of struggle<br />
to obtain full citizenship and minority rights and thus ensuring equal distribution of national resources.<br />
Striving for creating a more democratic, pluralistic, equal and just society, Ahali, meaning «people in<br />
community», has developed a range of innovative programs to organize and empower the community and<br />
other organizations in improving their socio-economic conditions.<br />
As a community development organization, Ahali supports community activists from various interest groups<br />
such as women, farmers, artisans, youth, parents, students and assists in creating frameworks for activism.<br />
For Ahali, the term «community development» implies encouraging members of society to analyze their<br />
situation as individuals and as a collective and identify the community needs accordingly. The following stage<br />
involves active efforts to improve our community’s socio-economic conditions within the broader national,<br />
social and political context.<br />
www.ahalicenter.org<br />
8
Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center - Jordan<br />
www.ujrc-jordan.org<br />
9
Arab Hotel Association - <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
Established in Jerusalem in 1962<br />
Currently has 70 members with 4,700 guest rooms ( excl. Gaza hotels)<br />
Registered NGO at the Palestinian and Israeli Authorities<br />
Member of the Coordinating Group for the Palestinian Tourism Private sector.<br />
www.palestinehotels.com/aha/<br />
10
Arab Planning Institute - Kuwait<br />
www.arab-api.org<br />
11
Association of Banks in <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
www.abp.ps<br />
12
Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce & Industry<br />
Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry is independent, voluntary, non-political and non-profit<br />
entity, which includes manufacturers, merchants and professional men in its membership. The BCCI aims<br />
to accelerate local commercial growth and to promote a needed commercial cooperation with regional and<br />
international chambers of commerce. The BCCI is inclusively enrolled under the umbrella of the Palestinian<br />
Federation for the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture centered in Jerusalem and whose<br />
membership includes fifteen Palestinian Chambers.<br />
The BCCI’s mission statement:<br />
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bethlehem Governorate is committed to organize, represent and<br />
protect the interests of the private sector, to develop contacts with local and foreign chambers and to enhance<br />
economic and production activities. It seeks to provide high quality services to members and to assist in<br />
creating a healthy business environment to enable meet their urgent and future needs to reach a satisfactory<br />
manner produce.<br />
Like other trade entities, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry exists to advance and protect the trading<br />
interests of its members<br />
www.bethlehem-chamber.org<br />
13
Building & Construction Research Center<br />
(BCRC) - <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH CENTER (BCRC) is a Non Governmental<br />
Organization based in Ramallah, West Bank, (Palestinian National Authority). It has been established for the<br />
purpose of ‘promoting the interests and general advancement of the building and construction industries as<br />
a whole to participate in a sustainable economical development processes in <strong>Palestine</strong>’.<br />
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH CENTER (BCRC) mission is to cover the technical,<br />
economical, environmental, organizational and other aspects of the building and construction environment<br />
throughout their life cycle, addressing all steps in the process. In addition, the center provides help in<br />
reconstruction of the demolished infrastructure, buildings, and private property in <strong>Palestine</strong>. The center also<br />
provides technical support and know-how to the construction sector. The center facilitates technological<br />
transfer, and function as an information center and advisor to authorities, policy makers, specifiers and<br />
owners on building and construction matters. The center focuses on serving the Palestinian society in<br />
conducting research, technical studies, laboratory testing and training activities in the field of construction<br />
and environmental technology.<br />
14
Business Women Forum – <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
The Business Women Forum is a national non-profit association based in Ramallah, established in 2006 by<br />
a group of businesswomen. The core belief of the Forum is that women’s economical participation plays an<br />
essential role in the development of the Palestinian economy.<br />
The Forum aims to develop and strengthen the Palestinian businesswomen’s role in the development of the<br />
economy and a democratic Palestinian community. The Forum also aims to become a distinctive institution<br />
on a national level in terms of the quality and inclusiveness of its services to women entrepreneurs. Our<br />
ambition is for this forum to become a model for the rest of the Arab Businesswomen to follow.<br />
15
Center for Continuing Education (CCE)<br />
Birzeit University<br />
The Center for Continuing Education (CCE) is a Birzeit University community interface arm. Since its<br />
establishment in 1991, CCE has been working on developing human resources and upgrading the skills and<br />
capabilities of professionals and organizations. To this end, the Center draws on its own knowledge resources and<br />
those in the rest of the University through the “Knowledge Consortium” initiated recently, and on expertise in the<br />
local and international community. The clientele served is local, national and regional civil society organizations,<br />
as well as the private and public sectors. The Center relies heavily on knowledge sharing and integrates knowledge<br />
management in its core business.<br />
CCE is currently engaged in 4 strategic programs. They are the Knowledge-Based Industry Development<br />
Program, the Capacity Building for educational institutions program (CAPABILITY), The Public Sector<br />
Reform program, and NGO empowerment program.<br />
CCE considers distinction and creativity in institutional and individual performance as the cornerstones<br />
of its strategic vision. As such, the Center takes upon itself the mission to build the capacity of institutions<br />
and individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations in line with the values and principles upheld by Birzeit<br />
University.<br />
cceweb.birzeit.edu<br />
www.birzeit.edu<br />
16
Center for Development and Labor Studies<br />
Association – Gaza<br />
17
Center for Urban & Regional Studies<br />
An-Najah National University (CURP)<br />
www.najah.edu<br />
18
Chamber of Commerce & Industry<br />
Ramallah & Al-Bireh Gov.<br />
www.ramallahcci.org<br />
19
Deanship of Academic Research<br />
Hebron University<br />
Ever since its establishment in 2001, the Deanship of Academic Research has been attaching utmost priority<br />
to organize, encourage and support creative academic research. We are a proponent of an active project based<br />
science education. We believe that rigorous, challenging and practical research will enhance and facilitate<br />
the learning outcomes and the communication between the faculty members and their students. In a “cutthroat”<br />
competition, faculty members who are determined and willing to explore and to indulge in research<br />
will be the corner stones of modern intuitions of higher learning. In “Publish or Perish” culture, all faculties<br />
are urged to be involved in research. For fulfilling these objectives, the Deanship established the “Research<br />
Council” which supervise and administer all ongoing research projects in the institution funded internally or<br />
externally in addition to providing support services for faculty members in respect to research activities.<br />
The Deanship administer as well Hebron University Research Journal (HURJ), a peer reviewed annual journal<br />
that publish authentic research articles in the fields of humanities and natural sciences.<br />
www.hebron.edu<br />
20
Deanship of Scientific Research - An-Najah<br />
National University<br />
www.najah.edu<br />
21
Federation of Palestinian Chambers of<br />
Commerce, Industry and Agriculture<br />
www.pal-chambers.org<br />
22
Hebron Chamber of Commerce & Industry<br />
www.hebroncci.org<br />
23
Institute of Business and Economic<br />
AL-Quds University<br />
The institute of Business and Economics combines theoretical and practical education to prepare students for<br />
administrative careers. Special emphasis is placed on education for the working adult student and on major<br />
and minor courses of study which relate to job opportunities available in <strong>Palestine</strong>. Course requirements are<br />
flexible enough to allow students, with the help of their advisors, to design program which best meet their<br />
personal objectives. Teaching emphasis is placed on case studies, computer analysis of collected data and<br />
independent work projects. Guest lecturers from private sector and public organizations interact regularly<br />
with students. Since most students are employed receiving bachelors’ degrees, they, have much to contribute<br />
to group studies and classroom discussions. In keeping with the Al Quds mission to educate the whole<br />
person, the institute rounds out academic programs with seminars, workshops and a variety of activities,<br />
which benefit the community as well as students.<br />
www.alquds.edu<br />
24
Jenin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, & Agriculture<br />
www.jenincci.org.ps<br />
25
Jerusalem Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry<br />
The Jerusalem Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded in 1936.<br />
Ever since, the Chamber has been active, competent and dynamic in the Holy City of Jerusalem.<br />
During the years of occupation, the Chamber continued rendering services to the residents of Jerusalem<br />
through its administrative activities. The Chamber is not only looking forward to offering its members the<br />
best services, but is also aiming at strengthening its relation with its General Assembly, comprising both the<br />
tradesmen and the industrialists. This intention will hopefully enable trade and economy in the city to once<br />
again flourish, and as a result blood will flow again in the veins of Jerusalem while recovering healthily and<br />
spiritually for a better future.<br />
www.jerusalemchamber.org<br />
26
Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights<br />
The Jerusalem Center for Social & Economic Rights (JCSER) is a Palestinian non-governmental human<br />
rights organization based in Jerusalem. It was established in 1997 by lawyers and members of the Palestinian<br />
community of Jerusalem to provide legal assistance and representation to Palestinian residents of East<br />
Jerusalem subjected to discriminatory policies by the Israeli authorities.<br />
JCSER fits in the context of Palestinian political strategies today. It makes use of the Israeli system to<br />
help Palestinian Jerusalemites survive in the city. It seeks ways to take the initiative to proactively fight<br />
discrimination and improve conditions of daily life in the short term without conferring political legitimacy<br />
on Israel’s illegal annexation of East Jerusalem.<br />
The Center was developed from a local committee established in 1992 to support Palestinian residents of<br />
East Jerusalem unable to pay the Israeli Municipal Business and Property (Arnona) Tax. This committee,<br />
made up of local residents, started negotiations with the municipality and organized demonstrations and<br />
strikes. In 1994, the group took legal action against the Jerusalem Municipality concerning its discriminatory<br />
application of the Arnona Tax and requested that the Arnona classification be changed. This was the first time<br />
that Palestinian Jerusalemites negotiated with Israeli institutions and used Israeli law to deal with this type of<br />
systematic discrimination and injustice. The establishment of JCSER was the result of this grassroots effort.<br />
www.jcser.org<br />
27
Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC)<br />
www.jocc.org.jo<br />
28
Jordanian Businessmen Association<br />
www.jba.com.jo<br />
29
MA’AN Development Center - <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
MA’AN Development Center is an independent Palestinian development and training institution established<br />
in 1989, registered by law as a non-profit organization. The main office is located in Ramallah and the<br />
three branch offices are located in Gaza, Jenin, and Salfeet. MA’AN’s work is informed by the necessity of<br />
creating independent, self-reliant initiatives that lead to the development of human resources for sustainable<br />
development, which incorporate values of self-sufficiency and self-empowerment.<br />
MA’AN’s mission is to work towards sustainable human development in <strong>Palestine</strong> through:<br />
- Building the capacities of Palestinian NGOs, CBOs, and grassroots organizations.<br />
- Improving the food security situation of the poorest and most marginalized sectors of the Palestinian<br />
society.<br />
- Enhancing community development and decreasing poverty in rural and most disadvantaged<br />
areas.<br />
- Protecting the Palestinian environment.<br />
Advocacy and raising awareness for the national rights at the community, national, and international level.<br />
www.maan-ctr.org<br />
30
Nablus Chamber of Commerce & Industry<br />
A non - profit, self - financed private institution, established in Nablus in 1943. (NCCI) is a member in the<br />
Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (FPCCIA) which is located<br />
in Jerusalem. Currently, the registered members are almost 7000 and they represent the General Assembly.<br />
The General Assembly elects 12 members for the Council of Administration for a period of four years. The<br />
Chairman and the Council of Administration are considered volunteers for public services and the Chamber<br />
is regarded as a consultative entity in all economic affaires.<br />
OUR MISSION<br />
Seeking to be the pioneering Chamber in enhancing the economic status of Nablus City locally and regionally by<br />
providing the highest quality services which contribute in strengthening the role of the Private Sector in Nablus.<br />
And to make Nablus an energetic trade center by activating all commercial and industrial sectors in addition to<br />
cooperate with the Government in creating a strong local economy.<br />
OUR VISION<br />
Today we are in a competitive and rapidly changing world, SO MUST WE. Our goals are far - reaching but<br />
attainable focusing on the Private Sector in particular. We will be more efficient by controlling and directing the<br />
future ahead much better. We will understand the needs and aspirations that Private Sector is seeking. We will<br />
be broadening (NCCI) future view so as to always meet the rapidly changing needs of the business society.<br />
www.nablus-chamber.org<br />
31
Nazareth Cultural and Tourism Association<br />
The Nazareth Cultural & Tourism Association was founded in 1999 to address the economic & cultural<br />
challenges that were happening at that time, over time it developed into an important partner for public and<br />
private institution.<br />
We are an independent, non profit, non partisan, secular association. Our Association is based on principles<br />
of democracy, gender equality, cultural pluralism and social justice.<br />
Our aims are to promote cultural in all its diversity, enriching the city’s landscape with various cultural<br />
activities and programs. We strive to reach economic justice and reduce poverty and employment through<br />
tourism. Within the both we are aiming to promote the dialogue between different cultures - Arabs and Jews<br />
and the many strangers visiting Nazareth. We see economic justice, culture and tourism as intertwining fields,<br />
where we can use one to promote and strengthen the other.<br />
www.nazarethinfo.org<br />
32
NGO Development Center - <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
The NGO Development Center (NDC) is the largest Palestinian organization of its kind working hand-inhand<br />
with Palestinian NGOs, local cooperatives, and community development organizations to enhance<br />
their service delivery and build a more capable, responsive Palestinian NGO Sector. NDC’s programs and<br />
grants empower Palestinians to help Palestinians by providing NGOs the skills, tools and funds they require<br />
to address social needs and promote self-reliance amidst adversity to provide quality services. The organization<br />
advocates greater NGO transparency and accountability through the adoption of professional financial and<br />
management practices, and promotes sector-wide coordination and sharing of best practice experiences<br />
(www.ndc.ps).<br />
Although only recently institutionalized in March of 2006, NDC has served as the main mechanism rendering<br />
support to the Palestinian NGO sector for the last ten years. Prior to 2006, NDC functioned through two<br />
consecutive phases of the Palestinian NGO Project PNGO I/II of the Welfare Association Consortium which<br />
successfully invested over US $50 million from the World Bank and other donors into the Palestinian NGO<br />
sector, from which more than 500 NGOs benefited. Today, NDC is managing the Palestinian NGO Project III<br />
(PNGO III) funded by the World Bank or an amount of USD 10 million, a project that aims to provide social<br />
services to those who are poor, vulnerable or affected by the deteriorating socioeconomic conditions. This project<br />
also contributes towards the institutional development of the Palestinian NGO sector. NDC was also delegated<br />
the implementation of a Job Creation Project, funded by the AFD (Agency Française de Dévéloppement) for an<br />
amount of €D 6 million to be implemented in the West Bank and Gaza. Besides these two large projects, NDC is<br />
managing two other self-sustainable programs, namely Masader (www.masader.ps) and Unified (www.unified.ps).<br />
www.ndc.ps<br />
33
Opinion Polls and Survey Studies Center<br />
An-Najah National University<br />
www.najah.edu<br />
34
<strong>Palestine</strong> Fair Trade Association (PFTA)<br />
www.palestinefairtrade.org<br />
35
<strong>Palestine</strong> Institute For Financial & Banking Studies<br />
www.pifbs.com<br />
36
<strong>Palestine</strong> Project Management Association “PMA”<br />
<strong>Palestine</strong> Project Management Association “PMA” is non-profit association located at the Palestinian Territories<br />
registered under licensed No. “7837” working on developing a professional well educated community that<br />
can implement and operate projects in the most effective way based on international theories, ideas and<br />
principles related to project management. PMA publishes project management knowledge, skills, tools, and<br />
techniques to drive project managers to meets project objectives.<br />
PMA VISION<br />
Deploy the international theories, ideas and principles related to project management in the Palestinian<br />
society. And establishing a professional Palestinian forum for project manager’s discussions and publishing<br />
the awareness of project management development ways in the Palestinian society according to the enterprise<br />
point of view.<br />
PMA MISSION<br />
The main propose for establishment PMA is to provide project managers with enough knowledge and advanced education<br />
in projects management field that helps them in having suitable decisions through the different stages for the project life<br />
cycle and knowing the effective styles for every stage. And increase their managerial skills by developing the administrative<br />
skills as to have successful projects according to the international project management methods. Also clarify to the<br />
project managers the bases for vital concepts of this field for the complete project and the detailed components and the<br />
consolidation of understanding the projects administration nature and its role in making a success projects and the skills<br />
that is needs to manage the human and material sources, building the work groups, the quality administration, and the<br />
styles of purchase and contracting.<br />
www.pmi.ps<br />
37
<strong>Palestine</strong> Trade Center – Paltrade<br />
The main objective of Paltrade is to lead the process of development and contribute to the promotion of<br />
Palestinian trade as an effective element in realizing sustainable development of the national economy.<br />
As a national institution for the development and promotion of trade, and due to the fact that it represents<br />
more than 230 leading Palestinian companies, Paltrade promotes and creates a competitive environment for<br />
commercial activities. It also works to improve trade competition by promoting trade and strengthening<br />
private sector companies.<br />
The activities and services of Paltrade are in line with strategies for trade development oriented on a sector<br />
basis. These activities are enhanced through the assessment of opportunities and obstacles in various sectors.<br />
These strategies are utilized through integral services and activities in order to activate the basic sectors,<br />
upholding their ability to export and compete in targeted markets.<br />
Paltrade’s mission is to develop trade through:<br />
Support for developing a competitive environment suitable for <strong>Palestine</strong> trade activities.<br />
Promotion of <strong>Palestine</strong> trade and the opening of new markets.<br />
Adoption of ideal practices and international standards for the international trade of specialized trade<br />
companies and institutions.<br />
Ensuring commercial information, which leads to the improvement of trade performance and its competitive<br />
ability.<br />
www.paltrade.org<br />
38
Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees<br />
(P.A.R.C)<br />
PARC is a leading Palestinian NGO working in the field of rural development, environment protection, and<br />
women empowerment. We offer technical assistance and support, along with extension services to individuals<br />
and organizations working in similar fields. In carrying out our projects and activities, we rely upon the active<br />
and broad grassroots participation of our beneficiaries, and, in process, develop our experts’ capabilities and<br />
improve our employees’ skills. By doing so, we aim to significantly contribute to the building of a Palestinian<br />
democratic and civil society.<br />
www.parc.ps<br />
www.pal-arc.org<br />
39
Palestinian Association of Certified Public<br />
Accountants (PACPA)<br />
www.pacpa.ps<br />
40
Palestinian Businessmen Association<br />
The Palestinian Businessmen Association (PBA) was initiated to fill a gap & to represent the dynamic Palestinian<br />
business community with all its sectors. To act as a consolidating factor to the Palestinian Economy, a force<br />
in economic decision making, participate in the formation & issuing of laws concerning the economy & the<br />
social welfare of our citizens, cooperate & coordinate with the Palestinian National Authority & its institutions<br />
on all levels and to enhance & bring about, up front, the role of the Palestinian businessmen & women to<br />
influence the daily aspects of the Palestinian Economy. For that the PBA is constantly in contact with the<br />
majority of the local, regional & foreign business institutions to facilitate cooperation amongst all ,Through<br />
several joint business councils. The PBA embraces a wide range of well-reputed entrepreneurs. It comprises<br />
over 250 members of senior businessmen and women in <strong>Palestine</strong> active in different Palestinian economic<br />
sectors including industry, commerce, agriculture, banking, insurance, construction, hotel management and<br />
tourism, IT, transport & others.<br />
www.pba.ps<br />
41
Palestinian Businesswomen’s Association – Asala<br />
Established in 1997<br />
Asala’s Mission<br />
Asala is a leading Microfinance Institution working to provide financial & non financial services that help<br />
women living in poverty to change their lives, their social position and their future by their successful<br />
participation in Economic Activities established since 1997.<br />
Asala’s Goal<br />
The main goal of Asala is to empower Palestinian women entrepreneurs through providing them with<br />
flexible loans to start or expand their businesses with continuous training and counseling services.<br />
**<br />
Since 1997 ASALA disbursed a total of 11,000 loans with total value o f approximately US$ 10 Million for<br />
Palestinian women entrepreneurs.<br />
www.asala-pal.com<br />
42
Palestinian Contractors Union (PCU)<br />
www.pcu.org.ps<br />
43
Palestinian Economists Association<br />
Fostering economic and social dialogue<br />
The Palestinian Economists Association (PEA) was established in 1988 to promote sustainable and equitable<br />
socio-economic development in <strong>Palestine</strong> by mobilizing economists and other specialists to engage in research<br />
and debate on the economy and policymaking in <strong>Palestine</strong>.<br />
Based in Ramallah, West Bank, with a membership of over 400 professionals, academics and practitioners<br />
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the PEA aspires to be an ‘action oriented’ economic think. The PEA seeks<br />
to assist policymakers and private sector representatives in facing the challenges of state building, economic<br />
growth, and poverty reduction.<br />
44
Palestinian Federation of Industries (PFI)<br />
www.pfi.ps<br />
45
Palestinian Heritage Center<br />
The Palestinian Heritage Center (PHC) was established in 1991 in Bethlehem. The Center works tirelessly<br />
at protecting, preserving and promoting Palestinian Cultural Heritage, especially the art of embroidery. At<br />
the center you can find hand-made embroidered items such as: Dresses, jackets, shawls, accessories, cushions<br />
and wall hangings. All the items are produced by the women from villages and refugee camps around the<br />
city of Bethlehem. The PHC also produces its own posters and postcards. These images represent women<br />
in traditional dresses photographed within the religious, historic or archaeological setting of their village or<br />
region. The center revives the Palestinian embroidery by renting out traditional Palestinian wedding attires for<br />
women and men and incorporating embroidery on modern clothing. Visitors can enjoy the small museum<br />
and learn about traditional Palestinian household items. Everyone is welcome.<br />
Founder and Director Maha Saca – Bethlehem<br />
www.phc.ps<br />
46
Palestinian Insurance Federation - PIF<br />
www.pif.org.ps<br />
47
Palestinian IT Association of Companies “PITA”<br />
The Palestinian Information Technology Association of Companies was founded in early 1999 as a membershipbased<br />
organization for locally-registered companies specialized in the Information and Communications<br />
Technology (ICT).<br />
PITA evolved as a strong organization representing 80 major ICT companies and became the main pillar<br />
in defending the interests of the ICT sector. PITA maintains tight cooperation with various national and<br />
international organizations to provide high-quality technical assistance to its members and the ICT sector<br />
in general. Further, PITA actively coordinates with local legislative bodies to create an attractive investment<br />
environment by upholding Intellectual Property Rights and adopting laws that are vital for the development<br />
of the sector.<br />
PITA main objectives:<br />
- To organize, promote and support the interests of the members.<br />
- To help members advance their skills and capabilities.<br />
- To help organize the market and open new business opportunities.<br />
www.pita-palestine.org<br />
48
Palestinian Shippers’ Council (PSC)<br />
The Palestinian Shippers’ Council (PSC) represents and protects the interests of Palestinian shippers (importers<br />
and exporters) and industries that are end-users of maritime shipping, air freight and land transport. The<br />
Council takes upon itself to contribute to Palestinian economic development and trade expansion through<br />
measures that promote trade efficiency and facilitation at all stages of the maritime, air, land and related<br />
transport logistical chain. PSC went beyond all expectations by increasing its number of members from 17<br />
in the preparatory committee to 350 members from different region.<br />
www.psc.ps<br />
49
Palestinian Women’s Research &<br />
Documentation Center<br />
www.pwrdc.org<br />
50
Planning & Development Dept. - <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
Polytechnic University<br />
www.ppu.edu<br />
51
Qalqilia Chamber of Commerce,<br />
Industry and Agriculture<br />
www.qalqiliachamber.org<br />
52
Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA)<br />
Under the auspices and progressive guidance of H.H the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the<br />
Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) was founded by the ministerial decree no.14 for the year 2002 as<br />
a non-governmental, non-profitable organization. The founding members and all other members of QBA<br />
share the same vision as H.H the Emir in creating a diversified, sustainable, and resilient economy. Knowing<br />
that the private sector is a main pillar for robust economy our association serves as strong catalyst that offers<br />
a solid foundation for the economic development of Qatar’s private sector and provides a forum for idea<br />
exchange. Together we aim to be a major vehicle, consensus builder and advocate for a thriving economic<br />
climate in the state of Qatar.<br />
www.qataribusinessmen.org<br />
53
Salfeet Chamber of Commerce, Industry and<br />
Agriculture<br />
Salfeet chamber of commerce industry and agriculture established in 1997 in Salfeet city, Mr. Nabil Ozreel<br />
was the chairman from 1997-2002, and Mr. Fuad Awad was elected as a new chairman.<br />
The chamber works to organize the commercial interests, makes relationships with local and foreign chambers<br />
and between the members.<br />
It carries out different activities: collecting industrial information and statistics, publishing them to the<br />
concerned persons and official departments, held workshops, organizes visiting conferences and exhibitions,<br />
presents services for the members such as certificates of origin and permits to enter Israel …etc.<br />
The number of our members until now is 1360 in several fields.<br />
www.salfeetchamber.org<br />
54
Sidreh<br />
Sidreh is a grassroots Arab Bedouin women organization in the Negev established in 1998 by a group of<br />
Bedouin women from different locations in the Negev. Sidreh’s main goal is to improve the status of Arab<br />
Bedouin women in the Negev through personal, social and economic empowerment programmes.<br />
Sidreh offers a variety of programmes for Bedouin women and their families in three main fields - economy,<br />
education and women leadership. These are aimed at women of all ages; designed for better coping with the<br />
life demands of today’s society; designed with cultural sensitivity; based upon the needs of the community.<br />
Sidreh implements its project all over the Negev, in the recognized and unrecognized villages.<br />
www.lakiya.org<br />
55
The Chamber of Commerce Industry &<br />
Agriculture - Tulkarm<br />
www.tulkarmchamber.org<br />
56
The East Jerusalem YMCA<br />
The East Jerusalem YMCA is a vibrant and integral part of the Palestinian social movement. As a member of<br />
the World Alliance of YMCAs , the EJ-YMCA is committed to a unique vision of community based on the<br />
universal values of human dignity, peace, and justice. Through diverse programs and activities with a focus<br />
on holistic youth development, the YMCA aims to work toward the building of a viable Palestinian state<br />
based on equality and social justice for all. The YMCA believes that faithfulness to its Christian mission,<br />
which embodies openness to all religions in a spirit of love and service, will bring about the transformation<br />
of society. Within the context of oppression and Israeli military occupation, the YMCA is a beacon of<br />
hope for Palestinians throughout the West Bank . The East Jerusalem YMCA is committed to the World<br />
Council of YMCAs Challenge 21 , a document formulated to aid YMCAs throughout the world to renew an<br />
understanding of their mission in the new millennium.<br />
www.ej-ymca.org<br />
57
The Palestinian Farmers Union<br />
The Palestinian Farmers Union is a popular framework was established at 1993, it includes (16) member<br />
Farmers Associations from all the Palestinian Districts including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, these<br />
Associations included (9831) farmers, PFU also works in partnership with (57) Cooperative Associations,<br />
including (3040) members.<br />
The Palestinian Farmers Union works on organizing and building the capacity of farmers organizations to<br />
enable them to defend their rights and benefits, it works as a national umbrella aims to work, network and<br />
coordinate with similar Arabic and international organizations. PFU is looking to become Palestinian framers<br />
framework and representative, to reach with them a stage where they become able to defend their rights and<br />
benefits and to share actively in the national development at an independent democratic state.<br />
www.pafu.ps<br />
58
The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of<br />
Global Dialogue and Democracy - MIFTAH<br />
An independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, which grants Palestinians their basic rights,<br />
preserves their dignity, and enjoys international recognition and respect.<br />
MISSION<br />
MIFTAH seeks to promote the principles of democracy and good governance within various components of<br />
Palestinian society; it further seeks to engage local and international public opinion and official circles on the<br />
Palestinian cause. To that end, MIFTAH adopts the mechanisms of an active and in-depth dialogue, the free<br />
flow of information and ideas, as well as local and international networking.<br />
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES<br />
To disseminate the Palestinian narrative and discourse globally to both official and popular bodies and<br />
decision-makers.<br />
To empower effective leadership within all components of Palestinian society in order to enhance democracy<br />
and good governance and raise public awareness concerning the rights and responsibilities of good<br />
citizenship.<br />
To influence policy and legislation to ensure their safeguarding of civil and social rights for all sectors and<br />
their adherence to principles of good governance.<br />
To bolster MIFTAH’s capacity and its capability to achieve its objectives and mission efficiently and<br />
effectively.<br />
www.miftah.org<br />
59
The Institute for Area Studies (IAS)<br />
AL-Quds University<br />
The Institute for Area Studies (IAS) began in the academic year 1996-1997 with the approval of Al-Quds<br />
University and the Palestinian Council for Higher Education to provide an M.A. degree and a diploma. IAS<br />
students who complete the requirements successfully and meet the conditions of the University’s Council<br />
for Graduate Studies, currently graduate in one of three specializations offered: Contemporary Arab Studies<br />
Israeli Studies and American Studies.<br />
IAS is in the process of developing a Fourth M.A. program in European Studies . It is also hoped that other<br />
programs will be established in East Asian Studies.<br />
www.alquds.edu<br />
60
Union of Stone & Marble Industry – USM In <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
www.usm-pal.org<br />
61
YWCA of <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
The History of the YWCA of <strong>Palestine</strong> has been closely linked to the history of <strong>Palestine</strong>, and has been<br />
affected by the tumultuous events of the whole region. As early as 1893, informal groups of Christian women<br />
were meeting in Jaffa and Jerusalem as YWCA groups. In 1918, the YWCA of <strong>Palestine</strong> was established in<br />
Jerusalem. The events of 1948 and 1967 constituted serious challenges but also enabled the YWCA to reach<br />
out to more women and children, particularly in the refugee camps.<br />
Throughout the years, the YWCA has developed a wide range of programs and projects aimed at empowering<br />
and providing them with educational, cultural, and training opportunities to develop their skills and<br />
personalities, and to support them to actively participate in developing themselves, their families, and their<br />
communities.<br />
www.ywca-palestine.org<br />
62
Names of Institutions<br />
International non-profit<br />
Supporting Organizations<br />
64
ACDI / VOCA - West Bank Field Office<br />
“ACDI/VOCA is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes broad-based economic growth and the<br />
development of civil society in emerging democracies and developing countries. Offering a comprehensive<br />
range of technical assistance services, ACDI/VOCA addresses the most pressing and intractable development<br />
problems. Driven by the goal of adding value to local enterprise, ACDI/VOCA helps build businesses,<br />
agricultural systems, financial systems, and grassroots organizations that underlie prosperous free markets<br />
and stable democracies.”<br />
www.acdivoca.org<br />
65
American Arab Chamber of Commerce<br />
As the American Arab Chamber of Commerce begins its 16th year, we see a growing and energized Arab<br />
American business community. The goals for which the Chamber was established in 1992 are as vital today as<br />
they were at the Chamber’s founding: help Arab American businesses grow and flourish. The founders hoped<br />
to create an organization that would elevate the stature of Arab American businesses, build alliances with the<br />
larger corporations and provide products and services that help the Arab American business bottom line.<br />
By extension, the work of advocating for Arab American businesses has had the effect of uplifting the Arab<br />
American community at large. The well being of the community has a direct impact of the financial health<br />
of the businesses that operate there.<br />
www.americanarab.com<br />
66
American Federation of Ramallah, <strong>Palestine</strong><br />
Ten miles north of Jerusalem lies a town called Ramallah, “God’s Hill”. It is said that Jesus Christ passed<br />
through this town many times on his way to Jerusalem. Crusaders in the Holy Land, in the 11th through the<br />
13th centuries, built a fortified castle in Ramallah that overlooked the coastal plains of the Mediterranean<br />
Sea. In the 1900’s residents of Ramallah began to immigrate to the United States.<br />
Today, there are 30,000 people living in the United States of America. They are concentrated in such major<br />
cities as San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Santa Rosa, and Los Angeles CA; Jacksonville, FL; Houston, TX;<br />
Detroit, MI; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; Knoxville, TN; Lexington, KY; Greensboro, NC; Birmingham,<br />
AL; Cleveland, OH; Little Rock, AR; Buffalo and Hempstead, NY; Milwaukee, WI; and South Plainfield,<br />
NJ. In all these cities, chapters were formed making up the American Federation of Ramallah, <strong>Palestine</strong>. It<br />
was established in 1959 and Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.<br />
www.afrp.org<br />
67
Arab American Institute<br />
The Arab American Institute (AAI) represents the policy and community interests of Arab Americans<br />
throughout the United States and strives to promote Arab American participation in the U.S. electoral<br />
system. AAI focuses on two areas: campaigns and elections and policy formation and research. The Institute<br />
strives to serve as a central resource to government officials, the media, political leaders and community<br />
groups and a variety of public policy issues that concern Arab Americans and U.S. – Arab relations.<br />
Arab American Foundation<br />
www.aaiusa.org<br />
68
Arab-Belgium-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce<br />
Member of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries since<br />
1978, the ABLCC fulfils an essential link between the two parties belgo-luxemburg and Arab. A Strategic<br />
Partnership for Effective Results<br />
The ABLCC constantly strives to improve the services it offers to the business community. Export and<br />
investment promotion initiatives, thereby encouraging the emergence of an economic and trade network fully<br />
integrated into the globalisation process. Member companies have access to information for the realisation of<br />
international business transactions, thus allowing them to take full advantage of the enormous possibilities of<br />
a complementary market between the Arab world and Belgian-Luxembourg entities.<br />
www.ccbla.org<br />
69
Arab-Portuguese Chamber of<br />
Commerce and Industry<br />
www.cciap.pt<br />
70
Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce<br />
The Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CASCI) was created in 1974. According to the<br />
Statutes, the Chamber is a non-profitable organisation, established to promote the economic and cultural<br />
relations between Switzerland and the Arab Countries members of the League of Arab States:<br />
Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco,<br />
Oman, <strong>Palestine</strong>, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.<br />
www.casci.ch<br />
71
Aspen Institute<br />
The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering enlightened leadership<br />
and open-minded dialogue. Through seminars, policy programs, conferences and leadership development<br />
initiatives, the Institute and its international partners seek to promote nonpartisan inquiry and an appreciation<br />
for timeless values.<br />
www.aspeninstitute.org<br />
72
Association of Business Executives<br />
ABE is an awarding body for professional business & management qualifications and is the qualification of<br />
choice for tens of thousands of employers and aspiring business professionals worldwide.<br />
www.abeuk.com<br />
73
AACCI<br />
Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce<br />
and Industry - AACCI<br />
The Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (AACCI) was founded in 1975, under the<br />
auspices of the then Federal Department of Trade and Resources, and has become the peak Australian<br />
association for business with the Arab League.<br />
The Chamber is affiliated with the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture<br />
(GUACCIA), Australian Business in the Gulf (ABIG) and other Trade associations and Chambers in the<br />
Arab League.<br />
The National Secretariat is located in Canberra with Chapters established in New South Wales, Queensland,<br />
South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Each State Chapter is represented on the National Council<br />
enabling input into the formulation of National policies and programs. The National Secretariat maintains a<br />
very close liaison with Australian Government Ministers, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade<br />
and the Arab Diplomatic Corps.<br />
Membership, currently around 500, comprises a diverse range of Australian companies and organisations<br />
involved in trade, commerce, education and industry with the 22 Arab Countries.<br />
The focus of the Chamber is on assisting its members through the collection and dissemination of information<br />
relating to bilateral trade opportunities, and working to ensure Government policy decisions are compatible<br />
with members’ interests.<br />
www.austarab.com.au<br />
74
Austro - Arab Chamber of Commerce<br />
The aim of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce is to support Austrian companies in exporting to Arab<br />
countries be it goods, technologies, consultancies or other know-how.<br />
Vice-versa we are happy to encourage all kinds of Arab companies to do the same in relation to Austria.<br />
For this purpose we do a number of activities of different kinds:<br />
- Lectures and panel discussions on economic and cultural issues (12 events in 2008 only).<br />
- An annual Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Trade Fair (small and efficient).<br />
- Publishing 10 Newsletters with useful information yearly (short and interesting).<br />
- Answering queries related to the members business and that of other interested parties in a professional<br />
manner.<br />
- Organising consultation days with experts from specific Arab countries.<br />
For more information kindly check our website<br />
www.aacc.at<br />
75
Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry<br />
The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry /BCCI/ is a nationally represented horizontal nonprofit<br />
private NGO with more than 49 000 members, registered in the Trade Register at the Chamber..<br />
Its activities and provided services cover the whole geographical territory of Bulgaria through the nationally<br />
represented membership, on the one hand, and through the network of the 28 regional chambers of<br />
commerce and industry, incorporated in a nationally represented structure, on the other. Its priorities concern<br />
the representation and advocacy of the interests of its member companies and of the business circles and<br />
entrepreneurs in the country.<br />
The Chamber is one of the officially acknowledged social partner in the national tripartite dialogue.<br />
The BCCI is a part of the integrated international network of chambers of commerce throughout the world,<br />
maintaining direct contacts with 200 of them.<br />
www.bcci.bg<br />
76
Chamber of Commerce and Industry<br />
of Southern Sweden<br />
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Southern Sweden is the only regional business organisation that<br />
represents companies in southern Sweden.<br />
This is done through long-term work for a better business climate plus business support and network<br />
expansion for more and better business.<br />
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Southern Sweden is Sweden’s largest chamber of commerce and<br />
a strong voice for the region.<br />
www.handelskammaren.com<br />
77
Chambre de Commerce Franco-Arabe<br />
The main missions of the Chamber are to promote the economic and commercial exchanges between<br />
France and the Arab countries, and encourage the direct investments and the development of exports. Many<br />
communication tools were displayed towards the enterprises in order to be much closer to its expectations.<br />
The chamber presents a personalized assistance to its members in their approach studies and their commercial<br />
relationships and gives an access to all its economic operators, on information and accompaniment services<br />
intended for a larger target. These services are mainly:<br />
- The Economic Events.<br />
- The Business Opportunities.<br />
- The Information Service.<br />
- The Regional and Euro-Arab Cooperation.<br />
- The Service of Authentication of commercial documents.<br />
This web site is an access to the Chamber magazine, the Conciliation and Arbitration Euro Arab Council,<br />
the macro-economic information for the Arab countries, the e mails campaign and the electronic links with<br />
our essential partners. It aims first to reinforce the cooperation and the friendship between France and the<br />
Arab countries.<br />
www.ccfranco-arabe.org<br />
78
Czech Arab Chamber of Commerce<br />
The establishment of the Czech Arab Chamber of Commerce (CACC) was initiated by the <strong>Conference</strong> on<br />
Czech – Arab Commercial Relations which took place on the 8th of February 1994. CACC was registered<br />
on the 8th of August 1994 as an association of legal entities. Since 1996 CACC has been transformed<br />
into a joint Czech Arab Chamber of Commerce and 8 Arab countries are represented in the Chamber´s<br />
Board of Directors. At the present time CACC has among its members leading industrial companies, banks,<br />
export and import companies and private businessmen. It provides its members and interested partners with<br />
standard services as information on business opportunities, business partners, legal conditions for business,<br />
terms of commercial contracts and particularities of commercial relations.<br />
Since its establishment the Chamber has organized a number of different activities, as seminars, missions of<br />
entrepreneurs to Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Algeria as well as meetings of Czech and<br />
Arab businessmen aimed at development of commercial relations between the Czech Republic and Arab<br />
countries.<br />
www.czaok.cz<br />
79
DLA Piper<br />
With more than 3,700 lawyers in 64 offices in 25 countries, we help companies around the world succeed<br />
by meeting their legal needs wherever they do business.<br />
We know that, in order for our advice and solutions to be effective, we need to engage completely<br />
with our clients to fully understand their businesses and their deeper legal needs. This means taking<br />
a long-term view and investing in relationships as well as in our own people, processes, and services.<br />
Our clients include local, national, and global companies across a wide range of sectors, ranging from<br />
emerging businesses to some of the leading national and multinational companies.<br />
www.dlapiper.com<br />
80
European Palestinian Chamber of Commerce EPCC<br />
Established in 1989 by a group of Palestinian businessmen and politicians, the European Palestinian Chamber<br />
of Commerce (EPCC) is a non-profit making independent organization based in East Jerusalem. Founded<br />
at a time when the EU was advocating the policy that the Palestinians should benefit from the same trade<br />
arrangements as Israel, its philosophy is based on the premise that there is no reason why <strong>Palestine</strong> itself<br />
should not take advantage of the European market and thereby develop special links with the EU.<br />
The Chamber aims to provide services and information to Palestinian companies wanting to export to<br />
Europe; to provide information to European partners interested in Palestinian investment opportunities or<br />
export markets.<br />
The EPCC is interested in promoting free trade in order to allow Palestinians to take a full role in the Middle<br />
Eastern, and ultimately, world economy.<br />
81
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United<br />
Nations (FAO)<br />
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat<br />
hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations<br />
meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information.<br />
We help developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and<br />
fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. Since our founding in 1945, we have focused special<br />
attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world’s poor and hungry people. helping to<br />
build a world without hunger<br />
www.fao.org<br />
82
Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation<br />
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded<br />
in 1998 by an ecumenical group of American Christians committed to maintain the presence and growth of<br />
the Arab Christians in the Holy Land, and to develop bonds of solidarity between them and the Christians<br />
in the world. HCEF seeks to replace despair with hope, fear with security and humiliation with human<br />
dignity. HCEF is committed to its mission to educate people in the globe about the Christian presence<br />
in the Holy Land, build community between Christians around the world and Arab Christians, develop<br />
a bond of solidarity through partnership programs for future cooperation, promote Peace and Justice in<br />
the Holy Land by removing the causes of the human suffering, and select and oversee specific projects<br />
designed to provide better living conditions for the Arab Christians in the Holy Land. Project areas focus on<br />
creating employment, advancing education, building and rehabilitating houses, and developing the growth<br />
of children of the Holy Land.<br />
For more details please visit the website at<br />
www.hcef.org<br />
83
International Foundation for Election Systems<br />
International Foundation for Election Systems is a nonprofit democracy development organization that<br />
works to give people a voice in the way that they are governed. IFES is the world’s premiere election assistance<br />
organization, providing countries with the technical advice and tools they need to run democratic elections.<br />
Our work is nonpartisan and also includes projects that:<br />
- Help citizens participate in their democracies.<br />
- Increase politicians’ accountability to the electorate.<br />
- Strengthen government institutions.<br />
Since its founding in 1987, IFES has worked in more than 100 countries - from developing democracies such<br />
as Liberia, to mature democracies such as the United States. Every IFES project is staffed by local personnel<br />
and our team partners with local organizations. With this homegrown approach, IFES ensures that the<br />
expertise it offers fits the needs of the country or client and that the benefit of assistance outlasts the life of<br />
the project.<br />
www.ifes.org<br />
84
International Labour Organization<br />
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the UN specialized agency which seeks social justice and promotes<br />
equal opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity,<br />
security and human dignity. As the world’s only tripartite multilateral agency, the ILO is dedicated to bringing<br />
decent work and livelihoods, job-related security and better living standards to the people of both poor and<br />
rich countries. It helps to attain those goals by promoting rights at work, encouraging opportunities for decent<br />
employment, enhancing social protection and strengthening dialogue on work-related issues.<br />
The ILO is the international meeting place for the world of work. ILO is the expert on work and employment<br />
and particularly on the critical role that these issues play in bringing about economic development and<br />
progress. The heart of its mission is helping countries build the institutions that are the bulwarks of democracy<br />
and to help them become accountable to the people.<br />
The ILO’s diverse tasks are grouped under four strategic objectives:<br />
- Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work.<br />
- Create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income.<br />
- Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all.<br />
- Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue.<br />
The ILO and according to its structure, deals with a tripartite structure of government, workers and employers. It<br />
formulates international labour standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations setting minimum<br />
standards of basic labour rights: freedom of association, the right to organize, collective bargaining, abolition<br />
of forced labour, equality of opportunity and treatment, and other standards regulating conditions across the<br />
entire spectrum of work related issues. Being the only ‘tripartite’ United Nations agency, it helps bring together<br />
representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes.<br />
www.ilo.org<br />
85
Japan Bank for International Cooperation<br />
Japan Bank for International Cooperation has a statutory mandate to undertake lending and other<br />
operations for the promotion of Japanese exports, imports and economic activities overseas; for the stability<br />
of international financial order; and for economic and social development as well as economic stability in the<br />
developing economies, thereby contributing to the sound development of the Japanese economy as well as<br />
international economy. JBIC operates under the principle that it will not compete with financial institutions<br />
in the private sector.<br />
www.jbic.go.jp<br />
86
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)<br />
JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) is a government-related organization that works to promote<br />
mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to<br />
promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO’s core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting<br />
foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global<br />
export potential. Backed by a worldwide network comprising JETRO Tokyo Headquarters, JETRO Osaka,<br />
the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE), and 36 offices throughout Japan and more than 70 overseas,<br />
JETRO is;<br />
- Promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) into Japan.<br />
- Facilitating economic growth in developing countries through trade promotion.<br />
- Cooperating in Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).<br />
- Assisting Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).<br />
- Supplying Japan with foreign economic information.<br />
- Promoting cross-border business tie-ups in high-tech and other key industry sectors.<br />
- Helping Japanese firms expand overseas and aiding efforts to protect intellectual property.<br />
- Researching developing economies (IDE).<br />
www.jetro.go.jp<br />
87
Japan International Cooperation Agency - JICA<br />
Founded in 1974, the Japan International Cooperation Agency is an implementation agency for technical<br />
assistance, focusing on systems building, organization strengthening and human resource development that<br />
will enable recipient countries to pursue their own sustainable socio-economic development. JICA’s work is<br />
broad in scope and reflects international concerns and changing needs in recipient countries. To traditional<br />
sectors such as agriculture and social infrastructure, JICA has recently added assistance to combat infectious<br />
diseases such as HIV/AIDS and SARS, support to encourage free market economies or set up legal systems,<br />
and support for the peace-building and reconstruction efforts in countries such as Afghanistan and East<br />
Timor.<br />
www.jica.go.jp<br />
88
MEDEF International<br />
The MEDEF International puts French company bosses in touch with public and private decision-makers<br />
the world over.<br />
Through its worldwide network, it encourages the development of all French firms, particularly SMEs, at the<br />
international level.<br />
Every year, The MEDEF International organises a number of delegations of French business leaders with<br />
concrete projects to targeted countries. These delegations enable businessmen and women to meet decisionmakers<br />
at the highest level, to identify partners and to become familiar with the business environment.<br />
In France, The MEDEF International organises meetings between foreign heads of state and government and<br />
business men with French business leaders, helping the latter to realise their projects and resolve potential<br />
difficulties.<br />
Finally, working groups enable businessmen and women to swap accounts of their experiences, their successes<br />
and their failures.<br />
www.medefinternational.fr<br />
89
National U.S. - Arab Chamber of Commerce<br />
The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), established nearly 40 years ago, is America’s<br />
longest serving organization dedicated to U.S.-Arab business. On a daily basis, NUSACC works closely with<br />
leaders throughout the Arab world, as well as high-level decisionmakers in the U.S. business community,<br />
public policy research centers (“think tanks”), multilateral institutions, nongovernmental organizations<br />
(NGOs), media, and the U.S. Government.<br />
With offices in New York, Houston, Los Angeles, and its headquarters in Washington DC, NUSACC covers<br />
the nation and is the only entity in the United States with official recognition conferred by the League of<br />
Arab States and the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture. NUSACC<br />
is in touch with business communities across the United States and serves as the U.S. point of contact for the<br />
national chambers of commerce in the 22 Arab nations.<br />
www.nusacc.org<br />
90
PricewaterhouseCoopers<br />
At PricewaterhouseCoopers, we measure our success by yours. Every day our more than 146,000 people<br />
in 150 countries go to work to help our clients succeed. From Dublin to Dubai, from Minneapolis to<br />
Manila, our job is channeling knowledge and value through our lines of service and 22 industry-specialised<br />
practices.<br />
www.pwc.com/me<br />
91
The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt<br />
(AmCham Egypt)<br />
The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt) was established in 1982 as the 44th<br />
American Chamber of Commerce to be established abroad and the first in the Middle East. Today it is one of<br />
the largest and most active overseas affiliates of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and has successfully helped<br />
in enhancing economic and investment ties between the United States and Egypt.<br />
AmCham’s mission is to promote trade and investment between Egypt and the United States. In order to<br />
achieve its mission, AmCham Egypt works on promoting the development of commerce and investment<br />
between the United States and Egypt through creating a friendlier business environment, facilitating<br />
communication between businessmen; providing a network for sharing business information about Egypt<br />
and addressing common problems.<br />
www.amcham.org.eg<br />
92
American Task Force on <strong>Palestine</strong> - ATFP<br />
The American Task Force on <strong>Palestine</strong> (ATFP) is a non-partisan organization dedicated to bringing about<br />
lasting peace and stability in the Middle East by establishing the state of <strong>Palestine</strong> alongside Israel.<br />
www.americantaskforce.org<br />
93
The Bethlehem Association<br />
The Bethlehem Association is an NGO that brings together people in North America, and the rest of the<br />
world, whose family origin is from the Bethlehem, Beit Sahur and Beit-Jala district of <strong>Palestine</strong>. Many of its<br />
members are 2 nd or 3 rd generation immigrants; they bring with them a rich Palestinian heritage to their new<br />
countries.<br />
Our mission is to strengthen close ties among Bethlehemites living in the United States, Canada, and Latin<br />
America and help them maintain Social, Cultural and Commercial ties with their homeland. We also raise<br />
funds to help the needy in the community and to provide scholarship grants to deserving students. We<br />
welcome you to visit our web pages for news and information on the Association, its activities, its members<br />
and upcoming events.<br />
www.bethlehemassoc.org<br />
94
The Carter Center - West Bank & Gaza Field Office<br />
The Role of President Carter and the Carter Center<br />
President Carter has been committed to peace in the Middle East since his White House administration in<br />
the late 1970s. In the decades following, President Carter and The Carter Center have continued to promote<br />
peace and justice in the region and a viable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Carter<br />
believes that perhaps the single most important obstacle to a viable two-state solution is the continued expansion<br />
of Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank, where a seemingly permanent infrastructure has emerged<br />
with a grid of settler-only roads, roadblocks, checkpoints, and the giant concrete separation wall. President Carter<br />
has challenged university students to visit the region and see the situation for themselves. Several universities,<br />
including Emory, Brandeis, Georgia State, and the University of California at Irvine have organized trips.<br />
The Carter Center observed the Palestinian presidential elections in 1996 and 2005, and the Palestinian Legislative<br />
Council elections 2006 — in which Hamas unexpectedly won a majority — in each instance praising the quality of<br />
the electoral process and finding that the elections met international standards. In 2005, The Carter Center opened<br />
a field office in Ramallah to monitor the political situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, focusing on<br />
peace efforts, human rights, and electoral developments. The Center’s current activities aim to foster an inclusive<br />
democratic society and to advance human rights, accountability, and rule of law. The Center believes that such<br />
efforts can be sustainable only if all major sectors on Palestinian society are engaged. The Carter Center plans to<br />
stay actively involved in the Palestinian territories through activities designed to further democracy and protect<br />
human rights, such as: Support Electoral Administration and Reform, Observe Elections, Foster an Inclusive<br />
Democratic Society and Enhancing Civil Society, and Advance Human Rights, Accountability, and Rule of Law.<br />
www.cartercenter.org<br />
95
The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce<br />
The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce [JA-ICC] is a non-profit organisation established under the<br />
auspices of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for the Arab Countries.<br />
The “General Union” was founded in 1951 with twenty one members representing the national chambers<br />
of commerce in twenty one Arab states. The Head Office is located in Beirut and further details are available<br />
at www.gucciaac.org.lb<br />
The JA-ICC was established in May 1987 with the objective of “ promoting commercial, industrial, tourist<br />
and financial relations between the Arab Countries and the Republic of Ireland”. (There are similar Joint<br />
Chambers in 19 other countries eg the U.K., France, Germany, U.S.A., Brazil, China, Russia etc).<br />
www.jaicc.ie<br />
96
The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations<br />
Founded in 1983, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is an American non-profit, non-governmental,<br />
educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab world.<br />
From its offices in Washington, DC, the National Council works with other groups to provide resources and<br />
maximize effectiveness. To this end, the National Council convenes meetings of the heads of a dozen U.S.-<br />
Arab organizations devoted to discussing strategies for sharing information and resources.<br />
The National Council is not a membership organization. Its supporters are primarily individuals and<br />
institutions in the United States and the Arab world who have hosted or participated in one of the National<br />
Council’s programs. Their involvement with the National Council often begins with a single event or activity<br />
and then, based on that experience, grows into a broader and lasting relationship based on mutual interests<br />
and concerns. By following up with participants, facilitators, hosts, sponsors, friends and supporters and<br />
constantly reaching out to others the National Council steadily increases the number of people who are<br />
informed and involved in the national dialogue on U.S. relations with the Arab world.<br />
www.ncusar.org<br />
97
The Palestinian American Chamber<br />
of Commerce – PACC<br />
The Palestinian American Chamber of Commerce (PACC) is a non-profit and membership-based organization<br />
that was founded in 1997. PACC aims to serve and support the development of commercial activities and<br />
investment between the Palestinian and American business communities. The PACC assists in promoting<br />
Palestinian business and professionals to the United States business community, and vice versa.<br />
As a membership driven organization the PACC’s most important asset is its membership base, compromising<br />
of the Palestinian companies that wish to reciprocate trade with the United States and American companies<br />
doing business in <strong>Palestine</strong>. The PACC will help its members enhance their companies’ visibility and<br />
connections, both in <strong>Palestine</strong> and the United States.<br />
www.pal-am.com<br />
98
The Portland Trust<br />
The Portland Trust is a private not-for-profit British foundation committed to encouraging peace and stability<br />
between Palestinians and Israelis through economic development.<br />
We promote initiatives to develop the private sector in the Palestinian Territory and the Israeli periphery,<br />
focusing on financial and physical infrastructure, trade, training and entrepreneurship. The Portland Trust<br />
has offices in London, Tel Aviv and Ramallah.<br />
www.portlandtrust.org<br />
99
The U.S.-Bahrain Business Council (USBBC)<br />
The U.S.-Bahrain Business Council (USBBC) was inaugurated on September 14, 2006 at the Chamber of<br />
Commerce of the United States of America. The USBBC is the premier international forum where public<br />
and private sector stockholders can address bilateral business relations. The Council considers, in depth, the<br />
fundamental policy issues affecting U.S. economic relations. This includes advising both U.S. and Bahraini<br />
government entities on issues of importance to our respective business communities. The Council also serves<br />
as a platform for fostering business to business relationships between American and Bahraini entrepreneurs.<br />
The USBBC provides valuable information on all areas related to our members’ interests.<br />
www.usbahrainbusiness.org<br />
100
The US-Arab Chamber of Commerce<br />
US Arab Chamber of Commerce (USACC) in collaboration with US Legalization has developed an innovative<br />
new online program to help businesses, forwarders, and exporters to easily create invoices and certificates of<br />
origin online and have them certified by the chamber of commerce and the designated embassy.<br />
www.usarab.org<br />
101
The US-Qatar Business Council<br />
The U.S. - Qatar Business Council is a non-profit, private sector organization which provides a forum<br />
for discussion of key economic, commercial and other issues of interest to American companies doing or<br />
planning to do business in Qatar. The Council also provides information and sponsors events and programs<br />
which provide insight into Qatar and its international and business environment. As the only American<br />
organization focused on improving commercial relations with Qatar, the Council plays a leading role in<br />
expansion of the bilateral relationship. The Council is a membership-based organizations, and its focus lies<br />
on providing value-added services to corporate members in the US, Qatar, and around the world.<br />
www.usqbc.org<br />
102
TUGIAD - Young Businessmen Association of Turkey<br />
TUGIAD, the first national and the only international association of the young businessmen of<br />
Turkey, was founded in 1986 by our founder and honorary chairman Mr. Jefi Kamhi, in order<br />
to produce public interest, provide individual as well as social improvement, contribute to the<br />
improvement of the socio economic status of the whole society throughout the country, via improving<br />
the leadership qualifications, social responsibilities and fellow feeling of the young businessmen.<br />
TUGIAD, setting out with the ideals of young person, young entrepreneur and young Turkey<br />
perspective required by the present age, has always claimed, during its existence of 20 years,<br />
that the success of Turkey depends on the success of the young generation, and has always<br />
represented the young business world with great success, both at home and in foreign countries.<br />
TUGIAD, aiming at contributing to the national and international policies of Turkey which is a nominee for<br />
the membership of the European Union, is aware of its responsibility to create the “Young Approach”.<br />
www.tugiad.org.tr<br />
103
U.S. Chamber of Commerce<br />
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more<br />
than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. It includes hundreds of associations,<br />
thousands of local chambers, and more than 100 American Chambers of Commerce in 91 countries.<br />
From its headquarters near the White House, the Chamber maintains a professional staff of<br />
more than 300 of the nation’s top policy experts, lobbyists, lawyers, and communicators. The<br />
Washington staff is supported by eight regional offices around the country; offices in New York<br />
and Brussels; an on-the-ground presence in China; and a network of grassroots business activists.<br />
Our members include businesses of all sizes and sectors—from large Fortune 500 companies to homebased,<br />
one-person operations. In fact, 96% of our membership encompasses businesses with fewer than<br />
100 employees.<br />
www.uschamber.com<br />
104
U.S.-Arab Economic Forum (USAEF)<br />
The U.S.-Arab Economic Forum strives to bring together corporate leaders and policy makers to create shared<br />
opportunities and strengthen U.S.-Arab relations. With a focus on business and economics, our objective is<br />
to initiate reciprocal partnerships to promote economic growth and integration, free trade, entrepreneurship,<br />
public/private partnerships and a modern, innovative and competitive Middle-Eastern society.<br />
www.usaeforum.org<br />
105
UNDP/ Programme of Assistance to the<br />
Palestinian People – oPt<br />
UNDP/PAPP was established via a UN General Assembly Resolution (33/147) on 20 December 1978. It called<br />
upon the United Nations Development Programme ‘To improve the economic and social conditions of the<br />
Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end’.<br />
UNDP/PAPP continues to play an important role in supporting socio-economic development in the<br />
occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, UNDP/<br />
PAPP, in partnership with public, private institutions, civil society and donors- has invested over US$700<br />
million (an average of US$50 million a year) in support of the Palestinian people to improve service delivery<br />
and accessibility via the development of basic infrastructure; enhance rural and urban productivity and the<br />
restoration of livelihoods, develop policies, strategies, and systems to improve the capacity of government<br />
institutions and civil society to deliver essential services; provide support for income generation, natural resources<br />
and environmental management, good governance, overall poverty reduction and related advisory services;<br />
and contribute to the development of flagship reports, most notably the Palestinian Human Development<br />
Report, the Palestinian Millennium Development Goals (MDG) report and poverty assessments.<br />
www.undp.ps<br />
106
United Nations World Food Programme – oPt<br />
WFP has been present in oPt since 1991. In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation as of 2002,<br />
WFP has implemented two consecutive Emergency Operations (EMOPs) followed by a Protracted Relief<br />
and Recovery Operation (PRRO). The latter started in September 2005 and ended in August 2007, and a<br />
new PRRO started in September 2007. The first two-year PRRO had originally sought to assist 480,000 nonrefugee<br />
food-insecure Palestinians as well as build the capacity of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)<br />
counterparts to manage food aid programmes.<br />
In July 2006, WFP expanded its operation to support 665,000 beneficiaries. An emergency needs assessment<br />
confirmed that there was a need to activate the WFP contingency plan to respond to the increased needs<br />
monitored since January 2006. This situation was due to loss of household incomes from agriculture, fishing<br />
and poultry industries, coupled with the limited payment of PNA employees’ salaries and increased prices of<br />
basic commodities. In light of the difficulties faced by PNA, strengthening existing partnerships related to<br />
programme implementation became the priority as opposed to more formal capacity-building.<br />
www.wfp.org<br />
107
United Nations Population Fund - Programme of<br />
Assistance to the Palestinian People<br />
*UNFPA … More than 20 Years serving the Palestinian People *<br />
For more than twenty years of its work in the OPT, UNFPA contributed to the development of reproductive<br />
health strategies, upgraded the provision of services, contributed to building an information system, and<br />
helped to build the capacity of Palestinian Authority institutions and civil society. Another cornerstone of<br />
UNFPA’s work in OPT centres on better targeting its programmes to meet the emergency needs, while not<br />
overlooking congruence with the developmental plans and frameworks.<br />
UNFPA defines its role in effectively contributing to the collective developmental efforts in the OPT. It also calls<br />
upon all of its partners to increase their efforts in supporting the Palestinians and helping them regain hope,<br />
improve their life conditions, meet their needs and achieve their aspirations to build a better future for all.<br />
*UNFPA’s Response to the Crisis: building on achievements*<br />
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund is committed to alleviating the dire and adverse health conditions<br />
in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) in coordination with the international donor community and in<br />
collaboration with the Palestinians within the framework of international humanitarian law and human rights<br />
conventions. Another cornerstone of UNFPA’s work in <strong>Palestine</strong> centres on better targeting its programmes to meet<br />
the emergency needs, while not overlooking congruence with the developmental plans (national plans/PRDP) and<br />
frameworks (the Millennium Development Goals, the International <strong>Conference</strong> on Population and Development<br />
– Plan of Action) to ensure sustainability. Each project addresses a specific priority as identified and agreed upon by<br />
the national counterparts, the UN and International agencies in the consolidated appeal (CA) for 2008.<br />
Following are some highlights on UNFPA`s projects for 2008 CA. For more information on the projects<br />
please visit our website at<br />
www.unfpa.ps<br />
108
United Palestinian Appeal, Inc.<br />
Established in 1978, United Palestinian Appeal, Inc. (UPA) is dedicated to providing aid to Palestinians in<br />
need, especially children, in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. UPA<br />
provides both emergency humanitarian relief and funding for long-term economic and social development<br />
programs.<br />
We strive to deliver efficient charitable services at low overhead costs in the areas of education, health care,<br />
child sponsorship, and agricultural and community development. UPA maintains its independence and<br />
integrity as a strictly humanitarian organization by not accepting funds from political groups or from any<br />
source that may attach unacceptable conditions to its contributions.<br />
UPA is a member of the Independent Charities of America and is registered with the U.S. Agency for<br />
International Development (USAID) as a private voluntary organization engaged in foreign aid.<br />
www.helpupa.com<br />
109
UNSCO<br />
The United Nations Office of the Special Coordinator (UNSCO) was established in 1994 following the<br />
signing of the Oslo Accord. The aim was to enhance the involvement off the United Nations during the<br />
transition process and to strengthen UN inter-agency cooperation to respond to the needs of the Palestinian<br />
people. In 1999, UNSCO’s mandate was enhanced. It became the Office of the Special Coordinator for the<br />
Middle East Peace Process, as well as the office of the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General to<br />
the PLO and the Palestinian Authority. The Special Coordinator was charged with boosting UN development<br />
assistance in support of the peace process. Since 2002, the Special Coordinator has been the<br />
Secretary-General’s envoy in the Middle East Quartet. The integration of UN work was further strengthened<br />
in 2006, when a Deputy Special Coordinator, Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator was appointed to<br />
lead the UN Country Team, comprising 21 UN organizations providing humanitarian and development<br />
assistance to Palestinians. More information about UNSCO can be found here:<br />
www.unsco.org<br />
110
US- Palestinian Public Private Partnership<br />
The U.S.-Palestinian Partnership was created by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to facilitate progress<br />
toward a two-state solution, wherein Israel and <strong>Palestine</strong> live side by side in peace, security, and prosperity.<br />
The Partnership will promote economic opportunity for the Palestinian people and help prepare Palestinian<br />
youth for the responsibilities of citizenship and good governance.<br />
111
US UAE Business Council<br />
The US-UAE Business Council is committed to advancing the longstanding and valuable commercial<br />
relationship between the two countries. The Council, which was formally established in May 2007, monitors<br />
and advocates policies and initiatives of critical importance to bilateral business, provides ongoing updates on<br />
the business climate in both countries, and develops strategic relationships between U.S. and UAE business<br />
and government officials. By leveraging its extensive networks in the U.S. and in the region, the US-UAE<br />
Business Council provides unparalleled access to senior decision makers in business and government with an<br />
aim to deepen bilateral trade and investment.<br />
www.usuaebusiness.org<br />
112
WHO - West Bank & Gaza Office<br />
www.emro.who.int/palestine<br />
113
World Bank Group<br />
The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the<br />
world. We are not a bank in the common sense. We are made up of two unique development institutions<br />
owned by 185 member countries—the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and<br />
the International Development Association (IDA).<br />
Each institution plays a different but supportive role in our mission of global poverty reduction and the<br />
improvement of living standards. The IBRD focuses on middle income and creditworthy poor countries,<br />
while IDA focuses on the poorest countries in the world. Together we provide low-interest loans, interest-free<br />
credit and grants to developing countries for education, health, infrastructure, communications and many<br />
other purposes.<br />
www.worldbank.org<br />
114
World Economic Forum<br />
The World Economic Forum is an independent, international organization incorporated as a Swiss notfor-profit<br />
foundation.<br />
We are striving towards a world-class corporate governance system where values are as important a basis as<br />
rules. Our motto is ‘entrepreneurship in the global public interest’. We believe that economic progress without<br />
social development is not sustainable, while social development without economic progress is not feasible.<br />
Our vision for the World Economic Forum is threefold. It aims to be: the foremost organization which<br />
builds and energizes leading global communities; the creative force shaping global, regional and industry<br />
strategies; the catalyst of choice for its communities when undertaking global initiatives to improve the<br />
state the world.<br />
www.weforum.org<br />
115
Supported by:<br />
Name and Profile of all non-profit supporting organizations printed in the language provided to PIC-<strong>Palestine</strong> by these supporters<br />
and arranged in Alphabetical order