Hebron University Participates in the Policy Leaders’ Forum Conference

Dr. Basel Natsheh from Hebron University participated in The Policy Leaders’ Forum (PLF) on Public Management of Education, Training and Employment Policies in the Arab States of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean - the culture of change, the change of cultures. The forum took place in the Marseilles, European Capital of Culture, from 6 to 8 October 2013.

The meeting was attended by leaders representing key stakeholders in policy making from Arab Mediterranean Countries including Ministers of Education and Labor; the legislative represented by Members of Parliament; Universities; civil society represented by Young Mediterranean Leaders; as well as experts and representatives from EU Member States and key regional actors.

The meeting tackled the challenges facing the Arab Mediterranean Countries and the EU, and the value of inclusive policy dialogue bridging government, parliament and civil society.

Madlen Serban, Director of the European Training Foundation outlined the urgency of tackling youth unemployment in a region which currently suffers from the lowest activity rates among the young population, - especially women – while in addition has the highest demographic growth in the world.

Participants from the partner countries and international experts then addressed the two main policy issues. The dialogue of quality was moderated by Claudio Cortese, Senior Deputy Secretary General, Union for the Mediterranean supported by Khaled Hammad, Programme Manager for the Citizens for Dialogue Programme, Anna Lindh Foundation and Basel Natsheh, Hebron University and Young Mediterranean Leader, from Palestine as discussants.

Madlen Serban stated that ETF would draw on the outcomes from the meeting to shape its forthcoming activities in the region. The Torino Process will be re-launched in 2014, and will give opportunities to monitor policy developments in the region, and for further national and regional policy dialogue.