The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy –MIFTAHABOUT MIFTAHMIFTAH was established in 1998 as an independent Palestinian civil society institutioncommitted to fostering the principles of democracy and effective dialogue. MIFTAH’s main
work during its beginning was on political concerns especially opening dialogue on final statusissues, disseminating the Palestinian narrative on regional and international levels in addition toworking on the local and national levels to support building the Palestinian state.
Ever since its establishment and especially after the fall of the Camp David peace negotiationsin 2000, MIFTAH was dedicated to Palestinian nation-building and empowerment on the basisof the principles of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and participatory governance.
MIFTAH was one of the first Palestinian NGOs to realize the importance of institution building
and democracy to ensure state building, in parallel with the political process, after the failure in
the peace talks and the invasion of the West Bank that followed. In support of good governanceand democracy, MIFTAH used to and continues to influence public policy formulation forsafeguarding citizens’ rights and enhance justice and rule of law with a special focus on
marginalized segments of Palestinian society especially women and youth.
MIFTAH’s political impartiality has turned it into a well-reputed and well-respectedorganization, hence, it provides a safe place for male and female political activists, leaders,members of local councils, Palestinian Legislative Council, Palestinian Political Factions, andCommunity-Based Organizations and public institutions to exchange information and engage inconstructive dialogue to enhance multichannel communication among all sectors of society, withthe view of supporting policy formulation, addressing policy recommendations and policy
proposals.
VISIONA sovereign, independent, democratic, tolerant and inclusive Palestinian state, which grants
Palestinians their basic rights, preserves their dignity, and enjoys international recognition andrespect.
MISSION
Established in Jerusalem, MIFTAH seeks to promote the principles of democracy and good
governance within various components of Palestinian society; it further seeks to engage local
and international public opinion and official circles on the Palestinian cause. To that end,Ramallah, Al-Massayef St. , Rimawi Bldg. ,3rd floor
Tel: +970-2-2989490/1, Fax: +970-2-2989492

Postal Address: P.O.Box 69647, Jerusalem 95908
E-mail: info@miftah.org Web site: www.miftah.org

MIFTAH adopts the mechanisms of an active and in-depth dialogue, the free flow ofinformation and ideas, as well as local and international networking.
CORE VALUES✓ Transparency✓ Accountability✓ Credibility✓ Integrity✓ Objectivity✓ Independence✓ Professionalism and work ethics✓ Participation and inclusiveness✓ Non discrimination✓ Equality and Gender responsiveness
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVESStrategic Goal:
To contribute to enacting the rule of law and realizing the Palestinian aspiration of selfdetermination and independence.
Specific Objectives:❖ Specific Objective 1: Enhanced policies and practices in line with civil rights
and social justice in Palestine❖ Specific Objective 2: Enhanced promotion of the Palestinian narrative at theinternational level❖ Specific Objective 3: Improved effective institutional and human capacity
development
GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGEMIFTAH operates in areas covering the whole of the West Bank and Gaza Strip through its main
office located in Ramallah and filed office in Gaza, in close coordination with active fieldcoordinators assigned in seven districts within the West Bank. More precisely, MIFTAH
expands its activities to cover the most marginalized areas in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank
(including east Jerusalem) and Area C.
SCOPE OF WORK AND PROGRAMS

Ramallah, Al-Massayef St. , Rimawi Bldg. ,3rd floor
Tel: +970-2-2989490/1, Fax: +970-2-2989492

Postal Address: P.O.Box 69647, Jerusalem 95908
E-mail: info@miftah.org Web site: www.miftah.org

To achieve the Strategic Goal and Specific Objectives, MIFTAH works within two main
programs:❖ Good Governance and Democracy Program:This program works towards enhancing policies and practices in line with civil rights and social
justice in Palestine through identifying pressing key policies and procedures that require
amendments, reform or formulation of new policies and legislations within MIFTAH’s areas ofintervention. These policies and legislations are revised based on international human rights
conventions and MIFTAH’s core values. This program relies on three main pathways: fostering
national dialogue and policy formulation, research and documentation, and empowerment ofMIFTAH’s constituencies (mainly youth and women).
❖ Communication and Public Diplomacy ProgramThis program aims at an enhanced promotion of the Palestinian narrative at the international
level. This program relies on two main pathways: continuously develop, formulate, and present
content of the Palestinian public discourse on the ongoing political situation; while the second
pathway focuses on engaging in international advocacy. The formulation of the content relies
on international law that clearly illustrates the violations committed against the Palestinian
people and does not compromise the basic human rights or the Palestinian aspiration for selfdetermination and independence.
AREAS OF INTERVENTION
Women Political Participation
MIFTAH places a great focus on women empowerment especially in regards topolitical participation and enhancing women representation in decision making
positions and within the political system at the national and local government levels
through; supporting women potential candidates to run for local and national elections,raising citizens’ awareness on women political participation and active citizenship,
empowering women leadership role within local government organizations, carryingout analytical research on gaps identified within the election laws and legislation thathinder women participation and representation in elections, and providing policy
recommendations and proposals for laws amendments and adjustment to enhance
women political participation.
Youth Empowerment
MIFTAH’s work on political participation includes youth, placing a great support for
their representation in decision making positions and within their political factions.
MIFTAH focuses on supporting youth political leadership in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip to be well prepared to take on political roles and to become involved in political
Ramallah, Al-Massayef St. , Rimawi Bldg. ,3rd floor
Tel: +970-2-2989490/1, Fax: +970-2-2989492

Postal Address: P.O.Box 69647, Jerusalem 95908
E-mail: info@miftah.org Web site: www.miftah.org

and public spheres. Additionally, MIFTAH through its Narrative Ambassadors
Program recruits Palestinian students travelling abroad and equip them with thenecessary skills and knowledge to narrate the events in Palestine in a factual, accurateand convincing manner.
Women Peace and Security
MIFTAH works on women protection and participation, in line with UNSCR 1325
and the general comments 30, 32 and 35 of CEDAW and other relevant UN resolutions
and human rights conventions. MIFTAH played a leading role in the realization ofWomen Peace and Security Agenda in Palestine through; the formation of local
coalition for the implementation of UNSCR1325 and then the formation of theNational Coalition and defining its vision and strategic and advocacy plan, supporting
the formulation of the Agenda and building consensus on the Palestinian womendemands based on adoption of CEDAW conventions, providing an inclusive dialogue
sphere that supports women to hold decision makers accountable for the violationscommitted against women and building networks and alliances at the regional andinternational levels to present women demands for protection at the international level.
Women Protection from GBVMIFTAH works on promoting gender equality and equity including protection against
gender-based violence within a policy framework through; addressing
recommendations at both policy and legislative level, fostering dialogue on addressing
sexual violence related to absence of national protection policies and services forsurvivors of sexual violence and crimes, mobilizing religious and community leadersfor promoting protection of sexual and reproductive health rights including protection
from gender based violence, and enhancing the role of media in public campaigningon gender based violence and sexual violence.
Fiscal Justice
MIFTAH promotes access to justice and safeguarding citizens' rights within fiscal
policies through taking a leading role in institutionalization of transparency andaccountability measures within ministries, enhancing social justice within the Tax
system in Palestine, building networks and alliances among regional and international
networks in public campaigning for enhancing fiscal justice and conducting policy
meetings to engage public servants, policy makers with civil society organizations topromote transparency and accountability related fiscal policies.

Promotion of Human Rights
Ramallah, Al-Massayef St. , Rimawi Bldg. ,3rd floor
Tel: +970-2-2989490/1, Fax: +970-2-2989492

Postal Address: P.O.Box 69647, Jerusalem 95908
E-mail: info@miftah.org Web site: www.miftah.org

MIFTAH works towards enhancing implementation of human rights instruments,
mainly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in the occupied Stateof Palestine through; building the capacity of a group of Palestinian youth media andlaw graduates and Palestinian community-based and civil society organizations tomonitor and document human rights violations perpetrated by the Israeli occupation
forces and those incurred due to gaps in Palestinian legislative framework, opening
dialogue with national and international stakeholders to identify practical steps topromote protection of the human rights of vulnerable and marginalized social groups
and organizing advocacy efforts through mobilizing youth to present the violations
Palestinians are subjected to before national and international platforms in order tohold occupation authorities accountable to violations perpetrated against Palestinians.

Palestinian Narrative
MIFTAH continues to contribute to the promotion of and increasing awareness about
the Palestinian narrative at the global level (Global Dialogue) through; hosting
international delegations, conducting briefings and discussion sessions, holding
meetings with diplomatic missions, developing “Facts and Figures” offering specificinformation on subjects related to the Palestinian condition, Palestinian-Israeli conflict
and final status issues, shedding light on critical political opinions, drafting politicalstatements, position papers, interviews with political figures, reports and studies, andfactsheets to bolster solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Political Dialogue
MIFTAH aims at reviving the national internal dialogue on timely political issues
through holding policy dialogue sessions to enhance multichannel communication
among all sectors of society, including political leaders, government, and civil-societyorganizations. The sessions are held with the view of following up on upcoming
political issues, through engaging politicians, academics, ministers and decisionmakers in open and candid exchange of information and ideas.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Ramallah, Al-Massayef St. , Rimawi Bldg. ,3rd floor
Tel: +970-2-2989490/1, Fax: +970-2-2989492

Postal Address: P.O.Box 69647, Jerusalem 95908
E-mail: info@miftah.org Web site: www.miftah.org

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Board of Directors✓ Dr. Hanan Ashrawi – Chairperson✓ Nour Odeh - Deputy✓ Dr. Azmi Shuaibi - Treasurer✓ Hania Bitar - Secretary✓ Dr. Lily Feidy - Member✓ Tami Rafidi - Member✓ Abdul Qader Husseini - Member✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓

Tarek Aggad
Salem Barahmeh
Yousef Dajani
Honaida Ghanem
Manal Hazzan
Khalil Jahshan
Samer Khoury
Ruba Masrouji
George Salem
Hashim Shawwa
Raji Sourani
Ola Awad

Ramallah, Al-Massayef St. , Rimawi Bldg. ,3rd floor
Tel: +970-2-2989490/1, Fax: +970-2-2989492

Postal Address: P.O.Box 69647, Jerusalem 95908
E-mail: info@miftah.org Web site: www.miftah.org

✓✓✓✓Rima Hammami
Sabih Masri
Ghassan Khatib
Khalid Kaloti

NETWORKS AND ADVOCACYMIFTAH is a founding member of AMAN Coalition (The Coalition for Accountability andIntegrity-AMAN) and has been a member ever since.
MIFTAH is a co-founder in the Palestinian Women National Coalition for theImplementation of the UNSCR 1325.
MIFTAH is in special consultative status with the UN- Economic and Social Council since2020
MIFTAH is an active member in:✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓The Civil Society Coalition for Amending the Penal Law,
Al-Muntada (NGO Forum to Combat Violence against Women),
Al-Muntada (Forum for Gender and Local Governance),
The Civil Society Team for Public Budget Transparency (CSTPBT),The National Committee for Palestinian Women’s Employment,
The Higher National Committee for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325
The non-Governmental Women Coalition for the Implementation of the Convention on
the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)The Coalition for the Protection of Women from the Dangers of Unsafe Abortion
The National Campaign for Minimum Wage
The Civil Coalition for Control of the Legislative Process
The Civil Coalition for Promoting Civil Peace and the Rule of Law
The Civil Society Coalition for the Monitoring of Elections Financing
The Arab Regional Network on Women, Peace, and Security- El Karama

Ramallah, Al-Massayef St. , Rimawi Bldg. ,3rd floor
Tel: +970-2-2989490/1, Fax: +970-2-2989492

Postal Address: P.O.Box 69647, Jerusalem 95908
E-mail: info@miftah.org Web site: www.miftah.org