Dynamic Human Rights Unit (DHRU) of Sharek Youth Forum meets the Minister of Youth and Sports to discuss new Youth Welfare draft law and advocate for the development of youth-friendly policies

Ramallah, 21-1-2008/ A delegation of six youth from Sharek Youth Forum today met with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mrs. Tahani Abu Dhaka, at her office in Ramallah. The aim of the visit was to present the objectives of Sharek’s Dynamic Human Rights Unit to the Minister and to enquire about the new draft Youth Welfare law, the National Youth Policy document and the budget of the Ministry for 2008. 

The Minister was interested to hear about the work of the DHRU which was presented to her in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. She also informed the delegation of Sharek that the 2008 budget for the Ministry was still to be finalized, but that unfortunately she did not expect an increase on the 2007 budget.  Furthermore, she agreed with the Sharek visitors on the importance of prioritising youth in the policies of all the PA ministries so as to improve the difficult situation for youth in Palestine. A copy of the new draft Welfare Law was also distributed to the Sharek delegation.

At the end of the visit, the minister was presented with a letter on behalf of the DHRU and Sharek Youth Forum. This letter advocated for better representation and involvement of youth in the Palestinian Legislative Council and local municipalities through the introduction of a representative quota for youth, and through a decrease of the minimal age of candidacy for both decision-making bodies.