Foreign Policy Exchange Visit of Future Palestinian Diplomats - Multinational Development Policy Dialogue Brussels
Study and Information Program
Details
Over the years, the European Union has been active in various ways to ensure the creation of a viable, independent and democratic Palestinian State living in harmony with Israel and its other neighbours. Besides its role as the largest provider of development assistance in the occupied Palestinian territory, the European Union supports the Palestinian authority through different means, such as trade agreements, police training and community work etc. The EU, together with United States, Russia and the United Nations, is also a member of the Middle East Quartet, which supports the implementation of a two-state solution based on the 2003 Roadmap for Peace.
In order to foster this relation and to enhance understanding between Palestinian future diplomats and representatives of the European Union, the offices of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in Berlin and Ramallah in cooperation with its office in Brussels organises the outlined programme.
In Ramallah, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, together with its partners, realizes various projects in the field of Rule of Law, Local Governance and the strengthening of the Civil Society especially through the encouragement of women and young people to take part in the political, economic and social development.
One of these partners is the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies at the Palestinian Birzeit University. Established in 1998, the Institute has developed in recent years through its profound promotion of political and diplomatic skills to a professional training ground for future Palestinian diplomats. In the framework of the Master Program “International Studies” and aiming on the strengthening of ties between the Palestinian Territories and Europe, a course with the title “European Union: History, Law and Institutions” was initiated with the assistance of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. The interdisciplinary approach of this course combines historical, political, legal, economic and socio-cultural perspectives, focusing on a deeper understanding of the European Union as both, a model and a possible interlocutor for Palestinian citizens.
The study visit to Brussels and Berlin is conceptualized as complementary element for selected diplomats and students who are participating in the above mentioned course. The stay is intended to broaden the participant’s knowledge about the European Union, its evolution, institutions, functioning and range and about its Member State Germany. Special emphasis is laid on the functioning of the EU’s foreign policy processes, especially in regard to the Middle East conflict and the challenges the Union faces in current times.