The training program is designed to enhance participants' knowledge of party practices in order to foster the institutional development and capacity building of political parties in Palestine. The course will focus on practical training and hands-on exercises in relevant fields and concepts and is structured as follows:
Preparation. Prior to the seminar the selected participants will be provided with a reading package, which will enable them to become familiar with the course material. Each participant will be required to write a brief paper on a subject related to the seminar.
Intensive Seminar. During a five-day intensive seminar experts will introduce key issues in the field of party development and party politics and establish a fundamental background on the concepts and practice of related issues (e.g., communication skills, leadership skills, party formation, financing, membership, policy formulation etc.). The five day-seminar will be followed by an extra five workshop days dealing with specific issues such as elections, campaigning, and parliamentary work. Participants will learn from exercises and case studies. More specifically, this course will tackle the following issues:
Seminar Topics include:
Definition of ‘party’ and ‘party system’
Role and work of political parties
Formation and establishment of opposition parties
Party Law and System in Palestine
Legal and constitutional frameworks of party formation
History of Palestinian political parties
Institutional and Organizational Requirements of Parties
Party leadership
Membership recruitment
Organization of party congress or events
Coalition Building
Leadership Styles and Skills
Developing messages, party policies and strategies
Communication and Media Skills
Issue and policy research
Party financing / Fundraising
How Parliament Works
Parameters of Political Debate
Political Parties and Elections
Conclusion. At the close of the training program, certificates will be awarded by PASSIA to participants who successfully complete the program.
Application Requirements
The training program is designed for Palestinian candidates, aged 25-45 years, who are involved in one way or the other in political parties or intend to get involved and who want to enhance their knowledge and skills. Applicants must be able to commit themselves full-time throughout the required period – a total of 10 days - and to undertake preparatory reading and written work.
Procedure
Completed application forms must be submitted to PASSIA by Wednesday, 17 May 2006. PASSIA will then invite short-listed applicants to interviews. Applicants will be notified of the results and, upon selection, participants will have to confirm their commitment to full-time participation in writing as well as submit a letter from their employers confirming that they will be exempted from work during the required period.
The PASSIA Training Program will take place from 8-12 June 2006 in RAMALLAH. Accommodation will be provided for participants from Gaza.
Course Outline
THERE IS A FEE US$ 100 PER PERSON.