From Learning to Leading: How Internship Opportunities Shaped a New Generation of Young Diplomats in Palestine

Twenty-six bright young men and women set out on a journey—not just to study diplomacy, but to live it. As participants in the Young Diplomats Academy (YD Academy), they began with intensive training in international relations, law, and civic engagement. But it was through their paid internship placements that their knowledge transformed into experience, and their ambitions began to take tangible shape.

These internships were not merely add-ons—they were central to the Academy's mission: to create pathways for young Palestinians to step into the world of diplomacy, human rights, and public service. Over several weeks, participants were placed with a wide range of host institutions across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including legal centers, civil society organizations, governmental offices, and independent media outlets.

From the bustling city of Ramallah to the communities of Bethlehem, Nablus, and Gaza, these young diplomats were immersed in real-world work environments. Some contributed to human rights documentation and legal advocacy. Others supported media outreach, community development, or policy analysis. Many of them found themselves participating in meaningful discussions, engaging with experienced professionals, and directly contributing to the missions of the institutions they joined.

This experience helped them sharpen critical skills—like communication, research, and diplomacy—and taught them how to navigate complex, fast-paced workplaces. But more than that, the internships allowed them to discover their own voice, potential, and role in building a better future for Palestine.

For some, it was their first time working in a professional setting. For others, it was an opportunity to refine a career direction they had already considered. Each story is different, but together they paint a powerful picture of a generation ready to lead—with clarity, courage, and commitment.

Their voices say it best. Below, the interns share reflections on how these experiences shaped their thinking, boosted their confidence, and opened new doors. Their testimonials are not just feedback—they are statements of hope, growth, and determination.

Read their stories below, and witness how opportunity, when given at the right time, can redefine a future.

List of Interns and Host Institutions:

Dania Anani – MIFTAH

Younes Balousha – SHAMS Center for Human Rights and Democracy

Majd Hamed – Public Relations Office, Birzeit University

Adham Khdeir – Ru’ya Center

Nour Hejazi – Al-Haq Organization

Ismail Awawdeh – Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

Ruqayyah Breijeh – TAM Foundation

Bara’a Jamous – Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs

Bara’a Mualla – Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

Sajedah Abu Asidah – Radio Hayat

Ahmad Mahmoud Yousef Jaber – Center for Legal Research & Women’s Protection

Abdelhakim Nasser Amer Awad – Palestinian Home Society

Fathi Abdullah Sleem Samour – Sharek Youth Forum

Amal Azeir Khamis Alshanbari – MA’AN Development Center

Fayek Majdi Fayek Mohsen – Independent Commission for Human Rights – HEMAYA

Khalil Sami Khalil Fhjjan – Tamkeen Foundation

Mahmoud Ragheb Awad Afaneh – Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights

Nariman Ziyad Salman Halles – Zakher Association for the Development of Women

Leen Samer Issa – Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH)

Suzan Ahmad Al-Madhoun – Independent Commission for Human Rights

Walaa Anwar Abu Khater – Aisha Association for Woman and Child Protection

Shahd Yassin Al-Ashi – Women’s Affairs Center (WAC)

Huda Abdelqader Abu Zaid – Pal-Think for Strategic Studies

Shahd Mohammed Thabet – Save Youth Future Society

Yazan Nidal Abu Sultan – General Union of Cultural Centers

Bisan Ali Al-Dali – Nawa for Culture and Arts Association