Palestinian NGOs and Human rights organizations representatives emphasized the importance of activating the role of civil society organizations in promoting democracy and human rights and focusing on the right to self-determination as a basic principle for achieving sustainable development.
The statements were made during around discussion table organized by the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO), on Sunday, in Gaza. The discussion was held under the title "Arab CSOs under Current Circumstances" as part of the project Enhance Civil Society Capacity to Work for Democratic Independence in Palestine in Partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
The discussion hosted via video-conference by the Executive Director of Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), Mr. Ziad Abdel Samad, from Beirut.
The discussion was opened by Dr. Aed Yaghi, member of PNGO's general assembly, who noted that the political changes in the Arab World or the so-called "Arab Spring" has affected civil society organizations as well as all segments of the Palestinian society.
Abdel Samad referred to the general role of civil society organizations, which include representation of class interests of the society, resolving internal conflicts and disputes, improving living conditions, and focusing on the economic and social dimensions.
He also referred to the criteria for measuring the performance of CSOs; which are based on adherence to the principles of democracy, human rights, development vision, participation in activities, decision-making, volunteering, and the extent of women's participation.
Abdel Samad shed light on the important additions to the sustainable development plan – 2030; which include the relationship between democracy, human rights, governance, transparency, security, peace and sustainable development, as well as challenges in the development plan at the international, regional and national levels.
He referred to the challenges facing civil society organizations at the national level, and stressed the need to reconsider the role of the State as a key player in the development process, especially in the field on defending the rights of citizens, and require investors and capital investors to abide by standards, laws, and measures, and shifting from the concept of care and targeting to the concept of rights and comprehensive social protection.
Abdel Samad emphasized the importance of redistribution of taxation; provided that the cost of taxes is distributed fairly, and tax evasion and tax exemptions to be reduced. He also emphasized on reconsidering wages as a mean of redistribution and expansion of society's consumer base, thus boosting national production, diversifying national economies and strengthening productive capacities in value-added sectors, to create competitiveness and job opportunities.
He stressed the need for the private sector to play a key role in the development process, particularly in the areas of investment, production and job opportunities creation, and that the private sector abide by the international standards of human rights beyond the narrow concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Abdel Samad explained that partnership with civil society requires commitment to provide a potential environment to be independent, responsible and accountable.
The participants of discussion, for their part, stressed in their interventions on the importance of inter-coordination, strengthening partnership, and need to benefit from Arab and international experiences and building on them.
They also focused on the need to activate the role of civil society to promote the culture of civil peace and democracy in the society, thus strengthening capabilities to face the extremist groups with an emphasis on the importance of using social justice based tools for development.
The participants called to provide an enabling environment for CSOs to enable them to play their role in strengthening the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their contribution to the national struggle and their capabilities to defend their rights at different levels.