The journalists took part in a briefing by the Negotiation Support Unit of the Negotiation Department of the PLO in Ramallah, in order to have a deeper insight into the up-to-date situation in the West Bank. Thereby, most notably, the present status of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians as well as the impact of the Israeli separation barrier and the settlement building on the life of the Palestinian civilian population was discussed. Further more, the situation in the Gaza Strip and the on-going effects of the war from end of 2008 until the beginning of 2009 was debated.

Subsequently, during a discussion at the KAS office in Ramallah, Dr. Khalil Shikaki, Director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research and partner of the KAS, explained to the young graduates the work of the opinion poll institute. Additionally he gave them an understanding of the current political situation based on the latest public opinion polls. The detailed information attracted great interest and led to an active discussion with many investigative questions.

During a joint dinner with young Palestinian journalists, who will get to know the German media landscape on the occasion of a joint program by KAS and its partner Miftah in a few weeks in Germany, first contacts could be made between the young journalists and their Palestinian colleagues. A lively exchange about the Palestinian media landscape, the political conditions and the local life took place.