Conflict Resolution holds a workshop to discuss the neighbourhood committees manual

On Tuesday 22/4/2014 the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution held a workshop in Gaza City to discuss the practical manual for neighbourhood committees, with the participation of representatives of the municipalities of Rafah, Khan Younis, Bani Suheila, Al-Qarara, Al-Maghazi and Jabalia, in addition to the Ministry of Local Government and the civil society organisations partnering in the social accountability project, the Conflict Resolution Center, the Bunyan Association and the Al-Hayat wal-Amal Association, and a representative of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Eng. Iyad Abu Hjair, who facilitated the workshop, said its aim is to enrich the practical manual for neighbourhood committees, which is the fruit of earlier trainings and workshops, with any observations or additions before it is printed and distributed to municipalities, organisations and specialists.

Abu Hjair pointed out that this manual aims to strengthen awareness among citizens and officials of the importance of community participation, and to help activate neighbourhood committees and give them the skills they need to develop their capacities and improve their performance.

Raed Saada, coordinator of the social accountability project at the Conflict Resolution Center, said this workshop comes within the project on social accountability in local government, carried out with a number of municipalities in the Gaza Strip and funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), which aims to improve the services citizens receive and to have municipalities take up their responsibilities.