The Palestinian Human Development Report 1998/1999

The Development and Institutional Capabilities

[HDR Conference] | [Methodology] | [Summary] |[Team Leader]

Theme: Developing Human and Institutional Capabilities

People's participation in the development process is becoming vitally important. This is especially the case in view of the absence of natural resources (or where there is a lack of control over what is available). More than at any time in the past, Palestinian society needs and aspires to effective participation in events and processes that affect daily life. The development process can take place and be consolidated only under a political, social, economic and administrative system which gives individuals and groups real opportunities for participation.

Consequently, and in order to reach people, who are the real target of development at this stage of national construction, there has to be a high degree of interaction between resources (people) and the opportunities available to them through government institutions, markets, laws, environments, and NGOs.

Needless to say, individual innovation and eagerness to participate in the development of society becomes possible only under a system which gives individuals real choices in investing their abilities to move the development process forward. The failure of society's institutions to integrate individuals in a friendly system of partnership necessarily means the wasting of human resources, which automatically has a negative effect on the performance of these institutions and on their sustainability.

The main theme of the 1998-1999 Palestinian Human Development Report will be the interchange between people and structural/institutional opportunities available to them so that they can participate effectively in the development process. This process aims at enlarging people's choices and strengthening their capabilities in order to empower them to make the best of these choices.

The report identifies the features and potential of Palestinian human resources, on the one hand, and the institutional and administrative structures that enable these resources to participate effectively in the development process, on the other. The report explores the obstacles that limit people’s ability to participate and searches for ways to neutralize these obstacles.

Methodology

The report employs rigorous scientific research and is based on several specific studies conducted by a number of researchers.  A large number of researchers have been hired to prepare different background papers for the report.

Research needs will be discussed with members of the Technical Advisory Committee. Readers from outside the Program will review what has been prepared, which then will be submitted to a ministerial committee.

It is important that researchers present their studies to specialists at a preliminary stage, to discuss the aims and methodology of the project, and at an advanced stage, to discuss the final draft of the study. Projects will be chosen on the basis of their relevance to the Human Development Report, particularly with regards to its main theme.

At the same time, participation in preparing the report will be encouraged at different levels: through organized participation (the technical advisory committee, the ministerial committee, the Program’s committee, which will be appointed by the University, and different research committees); and through workshops for women's groups, trade unions, refugees, and youth and children etc. Moreover, focus Groups will be used in addition to public opinion polls in an attempt to integrate different points of view in the drafting of the report. The program welcomes the participation of experts and interested parties from inside and outside Palestine.

Anyone who would like to suggest ideas or to comment on the content or methodology of the report can do so through DSP homepage at: dsp@birzeit.edu.