Topics discussed:

• Final status issues: Discussion of research priorities.
• Governance/ Civil Society: Discussion of research priorities.
• Development policies: Discussion of research priorities.
• Priority policy themes and issues: general discussion.
• Institutional capacity building.
• Policy research institutions: discussion of problems and needs.
• Collaboration, coordination and networking.

The conference resulted in the launching of the "Policy Research Initiative in Palestine" jointly by the Ford Foundation and IDRC. The aim of the initiative is to strengthen policy research capability of Palestinian institutions, especially in regard of their ability to inform and influence public opinion and policy positions during the transitional period. Thirteen Palestinian researchers attended the conference with the aim of identifying research priorities. Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi chaired the discussion of overall priorities.

The following areas were identified as priorities:

• Data collection in key areas such as legal inventory, NGO database, etc.
• Urgent research, especially in support of Palestinian negotiating teams, analysis of draft legislation and formulation of alternative drafts.
• Longer term research on the future role of the state in political, economic and social spheres, and the relationship of Palestine to its regional and international environments.
• Promotion and coordination of networking among Palestinian research centres.
• Building new research capacity by training the new generation of Palestinian researchers and encouraging return of expatriate researchers.
• Promote increased contact between Palestinian and foreign intellectuals.
• Support in the area of information technology.