Palestinian Youth Advocate for Change during COVID-19

Palestinian youth are often associated with the uprisings of the first and second Intifadas and are seldom celebrated as changemakers in their local communities. Today’s young Palestinians are eager to participate in formal political processes and contribute to achieving long-lasting and meaningful changes in their communities. Despite their enthusiasm, youth face severe challenges in finding positive avenues to make their voices heard and communicate their needs to decision-makers. 

Students registering for the Ana Usharek program in Abudis prior to the COVID-19 outbreak

Ana Usharek:

Since 2018, NDI has implemented its youth political participation program Ana Usharek  (“I Participate”) across seven university campuses in the West Bank. Modeled after NDI’s Jordan program, Ana Usharek is a year-long extracurricular university program that provides youth with the knowledge and skills to become active agents of change in their communities. In the West Bank, more than 300 Ana Usharek students have participated in weekly group discussions on democratic concepts and used their skills to meet with decision-makers and promote government transparency. Students have shared how these discussion sessions serve as a safe space to openly debate topics rarely discussed in their communities, such as gender equality and inheritance rights, the delivery of local services and government corruption.

“If it were not for the Ana Usharek program I would not have known my rights as a citizen in Palestine. I was not aware of how I can contact local decision-makers and demand for improved services until now.”

Ana Usharek student from Hebron

Usharek+:

prior to COVID-19, Ana Usharek students from Qalqilya participating in an online discussion session on decentralization and local governance during COVID-19

As NDI was preparing to hold Usharek+ training sessions, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Institute to transition its programs online using remote and digital engagement tools.

“Yallah Ensharek!” Campaign:

While NDI successfully adapted to the new realities of the pandemic, universities in the West Bank struggled to swiftly transition to remote curriculums. Usharek+ students viewed this challenge as an opportunity to design and implement a nationwide online campaign, “Yallah Ensharek!” or “Let’s Participate!” The online campaign calls on national stakeholders to enhance e-learning services across the West Bank. Usharek+ students applied their newly acquired skills to conduct citizen surveys and community research, implement social media outreach activities and communicate student needs to local and national stakeholders. 

“The Usharek+ program has equipped me with the self-confidence I need to become a leader in my society. Our campaign has proved to me that youth do have a voice in Palestine.”

Usharek+ student from Abudis.

Event flyer designed by Usharek+ students leading the "Yallah Ensharek!" campaign

The coalition drafted a list of joint recommendations to improve internet services, update university policies and provide students with access to e-libraries and online lectures. At the end of the forum, the coalition agreed to submit their recommendations to the West Bank’s Minister of Education. 

Although students completed the Usharek+ program, they are continuing to implement “Yallah Ensharek!” by remaining active on the campaign’s Facebook page and following up with policymakers to implement the coalition’s recommendations. Through the Ana Usharek and Usharek+ programs, Palestinian youth demonstrate a strong potential for reaching leadership positions when given the right opportunities.

Ana Usharek” and its related programs are implemented with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED)