Welcoming Address / Opening Remarks

Introduction

1. Definition of ‘party’ and ‘party system’
2. Formation of parties: what purposes/functions do they serve?
3. Parties vs. other political actors (e.g., movements/interest groups)
4. Role of parties and their differences in democratic and non-democratic systems.
5. The role of political parties in emerging democracies.
6. Party systems and their origins (historical legacies, social cleavages, etc.)
7. Formation and establishment of opposition parties within the party system
8. Party System in Palestine – Historical Overview
9. Why do new parties form?

    Dr. Samir Awad, Political Science Department, Birzeit University.

Break

Introduction, contd.
Dr. Samir Awad

Lunch

Palestinian Electoral and Parliamentary System and the Internal Democracy of Palestinian Parties

Baha Al-Bakri, Lecturer of Law, Birzeit University

Break

Party Formation (II): History of Palestinian Political Parties
Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi, Chairman of PASSIA

Party Formation (III): Legal & constitutional frameworks
Provisions and rules governing the creation, registration, operation, financing and dissolution of political parties.

Baha Al-Bakri

Break

Case Study: Forming a New Party in Palestine

Munib Al-Masri, The Palestine Forum (Al-Muntada Falastin)
Lili Habash
Sa'ed Abdul Hadi

Lunch

Case Study: Forming a New Party in Palestine, contd.
Munib Al-Masri
Lili Habash
Sa'ed Abdul Hadi

Break

Leadership Styles
(leadership types, various personalities, convincing others, leaving an impression, understanding what makes a leader. Motivating others, leadership in cultural and situational contexts, leadership ethics)
Dr. Mahmoud Baidoun, Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor, Ramallah

Dinner

Institutional & Organizational Requirements of Parties

1. Developing persuasive (& unique) messages & party platforms
2. Effectively communicating the party’s vision
3. Communicating party policy & strategies to accomplish the message
4. Building and nurturing relationships with interest groups

Christian Kröning, Executive Director of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) in the State of Schleswig-Holstein

Break

Institutional & Organizational Requirements, contd.        

1. Party leadership
2. Membership recruitment (broadening the party base)
3. Organization of party congress or events
4. Campaigning, especially for elections
5. Communications – internally and with the electorate

Christian Kröning

Intra-Party Politics

1. Issue and policy research
2. Development of party policies and strategies
3. Dealing with intra-party conflicts
4. Recruit candidates

                        Azzam Ahmad, Head, Fateh Parliamentary Bloc

Break

Discussion with local party practitioners
with Azzam Ahmad (Fateh) and Saleh Ra’fat (FIDA)

Dinner

Exercise: Preparing for a new Political Party in Palestine with Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi

Break

How to Improve the Palestinian Party System - Prospects and Problems Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi

Lunch

Party Formation Process in Israel
Dr. GregoryMahler


Added: Presentation files 1, 2

Break

Wrap up and final discussion – FES - PASSIA

Dinner