EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

• Forty Public Schools Added to Model School Network Program:  USAID partner AMIDEAST launched the addition of 40 public schools into the Model Schools Network Program.  At a meeting with the PA Minister of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), senior MoEHE officials and USAID Education team members, the Minister discussed how the Model School Network Program helps meet the five-year Education Development Strategic Plan.

• Support for Youth Entrepreneurship Skills:  Under the Ruwwad Youth Program, USAID partner EDC signed a sub-grant agreement with local NGO Juhood for Community and Rural Development, which will aim at strengthening youth skills and enabling them to start their own business.  Juhoud’s Business Incubator will provide 40 youth entrepreneurs from Ramallah Governorate with pre-incubation skills (business exposure and guidance) to enable them to start the first step toward self employment.  In addition to targeting 40 youth from Ramallah area through Al-Bireh YDRC affiliated clubs, 5 mentors from the YDRCs will receive training. 

• Two Intel Club Houses to be established:  The Museum of Science based in Boston, in collaboration with Intel and in partnership with USAID, approved licenses to launch two Intel Computer Clubhouses in YDRCs in Ramallah and Hebron.  Youth participating in the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network in the coming year will enjoy such benefits as access to a learning model, start-up training and support, and technical training.  They will participate in the biannual Teen Summit that brings clubhouse youth leaders together in person.  The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is an international community of 100 Computer Clubhouses located in 20 different countries around the world.

economic growth

• Meeting with Qalqilia Governorate Business Community:  USAID, U.S. Consulate General staff and three USAID business implementing partners met with members of the Qalqilia Chamber of Commerce, municipal officials and the Governor to present their projects and hear the concerns of the business community.  The main problems focused on movement and access restrictions that are creating incentives for businesses to move out of Qalqilia.  USAID is following up with specific businesses to address their concerns.

democracy and governance

• Strategic Planning Training for Staff of the Ministry of Local Government:  USAID’s Local Democratic Reform (LDR) program held a training workshop on strategic planning for 60 MoLG staff.  The Minister of Local Government opened the workshop.

• Summer Governance Activities Launched in Gaza:  USAID’s Local Democratic Reform (LDR) program launched summer governance camps in four Gaza Municipalities.  Over 800 children and youth will attend those activities.  The camps focus on good citizenship, stewardship of the environment, children’s rights, and the roles of the municipality and its relationship with citizens.

• GIS Applications Training for Gaza Municipalities Engineers:  USAID’s Local Democratic Reform (LDR) program held a training course for 17 engineers, technicians and mayors from Gaza partner municipalities.  The GIS training will assist the municipalities in their urban planning development and help them better manage the growth of their municipalities.
  
  
• Psychosocial Support for Gaza Children:  Under USAID’s Civic Engagement Project (CEP), grantee Catholic Relief Services (CRS) organized Open Day activities and psychosocial sessions for children from Jabalia area in the northern Gaza Strip.  The activity helped children release stress caused by the ongoing political and military operations.  Approximately 100 children from different neighborhoods in east Jabalia Governorate attended the Open Day and enjoyed games, clowns, painting, and listening to stories.  The success of this activity encouraged CRS to conduct Children’s Open Days all over the Gaza Governorates.

• Supreme Judicial Council Improves English Language Website:  USAID’s Justice and Enforcement Rule of Law Project began working with the Supreme Judicial Council Public Information Department to develop a process for regular updating of the SJC English-language website.  An assessment of the current English and Arabic websites was conducted and updating needs were identified.  Translation, correction, and uploading of information onto the website were done.  The SJC English-language website is an important tool for donors, researchers, and the public to access information about the SJC and the court system in Palestine.