Anabta, Tulkarm – April 11, 2025
As part of its efforts to empower Palestinian youth and provide safe and effective spaces for dialogue, the Palestinian Foundation for Dialogue and Development – Dou', in cooperation with the Return Youth Center and Wasil Youth Development Association, organized a dialogue workshop entitled “Current Challenges and Future Prospects – Youth Perspectives”, held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Wasil Association headquarters in the town of Anabta, Tulkarm Governorate.
The workshop brought together thirty young men and women from across the Tulkarm area—activists and youth leaders engaged in community development—who actively participated in structured dialogue sessions and presented deep reflections and ideas about the Palestinian cause and their role in shaping the future.
The workshop aimed to provide a safe space for youth to express their views on national and societal issues and focused on three key thematic areas:
Current national challenges
Youth aspirations
The roles youth can play to achieve change
Workshop Outcomes: Clear and Bold Youth Visions
1. Current National Challenges
Participants unanimously emphasized that the most pressing challenges facing Palestinians today are the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the expansionist annexation policies in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. These were described as existential threats to Palestinian identity, rights, and future.
In addition, participants highlighted a wide range of interconnected challenges, including:
The ongoing political division and its devastating effect on national unity and social cohesion.
Systematic efforts to intellectually mislead and disempower Palestinian youth, leading to a weakening of national commitment.
Emerging signs of the disintegration of the Palestinian social contract.
The weakness of official media and its failure to effectively defend and disseminate the Palestinian narrative.
Declining national and resistance spirit among youth, exacerbated by targeted policies.
Absence of democratic life, resulting in weak representation and lack of accountability in the absence of an elected legislative council.
The weakening of the institutions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the increasing dominance of the Palestinian Authority over them.
The entrenchment of self-serving elites resistant to any reform that threatens their interests.
Economic deterioration and high unemployment rates.
The erosion of social justice values and the prevalence of favoritism.
A sharp decline in public and individual freedoms.
2. Youth Aspirations
The participating youth articulated a collective vision for a better and more just future, highlighting their aspirations for:
National liberation and the establishment of a democratic state that safeguards rights and freedoms.
Genuine national unity and reconciliation.
A reformed education sector that reflects Palestinian identity and national priorities.
The right of return for Palestinian refugees.
Economic prosperity and dignity.
Social justice and equality.
Meaningful youth representation at all decision-making levels.
3. Youth Roles in Driving Change
Participants proposed a series of roles and initiatives that youth could lead to drive real change, including:
Playing a central role in ending the political division and promoting unity through grassroots mobilization and advocacy.
Preserving national identity and promoting awareness through cultural and media initiatives.
Establishing skilled youth groups to monitor violations of justice and lead anti-corruption campaigns.
Organizing pressure campaigns to ensure youth representation in political party leadership structures.
Advocating for the reconstruction and reactivation of the institutions of the PLO.
Launching a professional, independent, and unified youth-led media platform that champions national and social causes.
Promoting democratic renewal through campaigns for regular general elections.
Inspirational Youth and Women’s Leadership
The session was moderated by Yafa Atatrah, Chair of the Board of Directors at Dou' Foundation, who affirmed the importance of youth empowerment and political engagement. In her opening remarks, she stated, “Youth are not only the hope of the future but active agents of change in the present—we must invest in their leadership and vision.”
A Call for Continuity and Expansion
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants called for the continuation and expansion of similar dialogue sessions across all Palestinian regions, emphasizing that integrating youth perspectives into national strategies is no longer optional—it is essential to ensuring a unified, democratic, and just Palestinian future.
Be with us. Be the voice of change.