Democracy - Heinrich Böll Foundation

Democracy and Reform

Introduction

During the last years citizens in the Middle East have increasingly been demanding active participation in decision making with regards to their political and social future. Nevertheless, the outcome of revolutions, movements, and transformations are yet unknown. Many fear instability and new authoritarianism, but the crucial role of civil societies in the region in this process is clear. This applies to Palestine and Jordan as well.
In cooperation with local Partners in the West Bank, Gaza, and Jordan, hbs supports projects which aim to encourage political democratic reform actors and media producers, in order to increase opportunities for social and political participation, and reforms. In all its activities, the hbs emphasises the special importance of gender democracy.

Projects and Partners Democracy

Article

In Bab Al-Shams, Palestinians create new facts on the ground

January 29, 2013 - "What made Bab Al-Shams significant was the fact that it asserted that Palestinian activists would not simply react to injustices the occupation laid at our doorstep, but that we were determined to create our own realities on the ground".... Irine Nasser more»

The 20 October local elections in the West Bank – HBS election observation

- November 1, 2012 - After six years without elections in the Palestinian Territories, at least parts of the Palestinian population in the West Bank had the chance to cast their votes again on 20 October 2012. HBS Ramallah observed the elections with a small team. Read the Election Observation statement and an analysis by hbs office director Dr. René Wildangel... more»

By Dr. René Wildangel, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Palestine/ Jordan

Refugees in the desert. Visit in Al-Zaatari refugee camp/ Jordan, 3.10.2012

- October 16, 2012 - In the beginning of October 2012 the hbs office Palestine/Jordan visited the Al-Zaatari refugee camp near Mafraq, Jordan, some 80 km north of Amman and only 6 kilometres south of the Syrian border. The visit was organized and facilitated by our Jordanian Partner, the Arab Women Organization (AWO). Conditions in the camp are tough and basic services are lacking. The future of the refugees, many of them women and children traumatized by the horrors of the Syrian civil war, is uncertain. Read the full report HERE.

21-22 September, 2012 - Ramallah

Muwatin's 18th Annual Conference

- October 2, 2012 - Muwatin, the Palestinian Institute for the Study of Democracy organized its 18th Annual Conference on 21-22 September in Ramallah, with the support of Heinrich Böll Stiftung - Ramallah Office.
The conference was held under the title “Two Years on the Arab Revolutions - Questions and Fault Lines”...
more»

AWO-Jordan

“Building common Agendas for Empowerment and Strengthening Women’s Participation”

- Between April and August 2012, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung is implementing in cooperation with the Arab Women Organization (AWO) a national conference and a training workshop to integrate women rights into democratic reform in Jordan more»

CWLRC (Center for Women’s Legal Research and Consulting)

Divorce of Young Women, Reasons and Consequences

- Between January and November 2012, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung is implementing a project with the CWLRC on research and advocacy about the divorce of young women in Gaza.
The center works to formulate the legal and social vision for women as the main partner to men in building the Palestinian society on the basis of democracy more»

MDC (Media Development Center) - Birzeit University

Village Voices

- The MDC is a long-term partner of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung. One of the aims of MDC is to encourage the development of independent audio/visual media and improve technical skills in audio/visual production and computer technologies of local residents and members of civic organizations.
This year’s project with MDC concentrates on raising the voices from the villages in the West Bank. The outcomes of project are to increase the skills of 13 professional journalists in feature story production, and 13 feature stories will be produced and broadcasted in local radio stations.