EDUCATION development

• Support for Nablus Youth Center: The Jabal Al-Nar Youth Club, the third of four youth centers receiving support under the US-Palestinian Public Private Initiative to become a Youth Development and Resource Center (YDRC), signed an in-kind agreement with USAID’s implementing partner EDC. The club will receive IT and other equipment and furnishings, access to youth programs and a block-grant. The new site of the Jabal Al-Nar YDRC is a historic home in Nablus, purchased by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and restored by USAID at a cost of $250,000. The MOYS provided the keys to the facility to YDRC board members after the agreement signing.
  
  
• Hope Initiative in Support of Disable Persons: A new youth-led initiative targeting disabled community members of all ages was launched by National Youth Corps members from Jabal Al-Nar YDRC upon their graduation from Ruwwad Youth Program’s leadership training program. The Hope Initiative was coordinated with various local organizations.
  

democracy and governance

• World Freedom of Press Day Marked: USAID’s media project marked World Freedom of Press Day with an event that gathered partner station managers/owners; representatives of several USAID-funded projects, and USAID staff. The event outlined the important role the local media plays in building democracy and accountability by being the bridge between leaders and citizens on the issues either needing attention or those being addressed. Participants discussed the challenges of local taboos and official “red lines” in covering certain issues and the importance of pushing the issues open the discussion and debate.
  
  
• Improving Case Management at the Supreme Judicial Council: USAID’s Rule of Law Program assisted the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in holding Unified Filing Procedures and Customer Relations training for 58 court clerks in three West Bank locations. The unified filing system, developed by the SJC’s Court Administration Department team with USAID assistance, will standardize and simplify case filing and retrieval procedures.