economic growth

• A Step Closer to Anti-Money Laundering:  USAID finalized the procurement of computer hardware equipment, valued at $67,000, enabling the Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) to install anti-money laundering software.  This software, was developed and donated by the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNDOC).  USAID funded the installation, data migration, training and first year maintenance, services valued at $350,000.  USAID’s program, Modernizing Financial Institutions (MFI), is now positioned to provide technical support to the PMA to initiate its anti-money laundering system. 

democracy and governance

• Annual Palestinian Judge’s Conference Held with USAID Support:  Under USAID’s Rule of Law Program, over 150 judges from the West Bank and Gaza attended the Second Annual Palestinian Judge’s Conference in Bethlehem under the theme “Toward an Independent Judicial Authority.”  Prime Minister Salam Fayyad addressed the gathering.  Fayyad stressed his commitment to supporting an independent judiciary and reiterated his instructions to all security and executive government agencies to enforce court verdicts which should be treated as final and non-negotiable.  In a conference closing statement, the judges made specific recommendations to strengthen judicial independence and the justice sector.

• Capacity-Building Training for Court Administrators:  Forty-nine West Bank Notary Public and Civil Judgment Department court clerks received training on implementation of new Notary Public unified procedures.  This training will enhance the effective utilization of the Al-Mizan court’s automation system, use of the new Notification Management System; both, ultimately improving customer service.  Over 600 court administrators and staff have been trained to date as part of the Rule of Law program’s Phase Two Capacity Building Training Plan for Court Administrators and Staff.

• Bethlehem Courthouse Renovated:  Chief Justice Issa Abu Sharar presided over the dedication of the USAID-supported renovation of the Bethlehem Courthouse with 150 guests and Palestinian Authority officials in attendance.  The Chief Justice thanked USAID and the Rule of Law project for their continuous support.  USAID has supported similar court renovations in Jericho, Jenin, Ramallah, Nablus, and Hebron.

• Strategic Planning Training for Ministry of Local Government:  USAID’s Local Democratic Reform (LDR) program hosted two trainings for 35 staff from the Ministry of Local Governance (MoLG) on Strategic Planning.  The two trainings provided participants with knowledge and skills to lead strategic planning exercises internally within their departments as well as to facilitate strategic planning with local government units throughout the West Bank.

YOUTH AND EDUCATION

• Teaching Excellence Awards Presented to Distinguished University Professors:  The Third Annual Academic Colloquium, sponsored by USAID's Palestinian Faculty Development Program (PFDP) and organized by Amideast and the Open Society Institute (OSI), was held at An-Najah University in Nablus.  Approximately 180 higher education professionals participated.  Along with the PA’s Minister of Education and Higher Education, USAID’s Mission Director addressed the group and presented teaching excellence awards to 5 distinguished professors.  Participants also presented papers on topics related to teaching in higher education.  Conference delegates in Gaza, hosted by Al-Aqsa University, also participated in the event via videoconference. 

water resources and infrastructure

• Road Construction Supports Southern West Bank Economy: USAID celebrated the completion of a 5 kilometer-long road connecting the southern West Bank cities of Al-Dahriyeh – Al-Ramadeen.  The road, constructed by USAID’s Infrastructure Needs Program, will result in increased commercial activity for Israeli Arabs living in the Beer Sheva area of Israel to access shops in the town of Al-Dahriyeh and surrounding villages.  Construction included retaining walls and a storm water system.  A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the road’s completion and included the PA Minister of Public Works and Housing, the Governor of Hebron Governorate, and USAID’s Mission Director.