Human Development Report 98/99



Resource Center

Community Outreach

Empowerment for Development

Publications

Links

Human Development Report

One of the DSP's main tasks is to undertake responsibility for producing the Human Development Report on Palestine as part of UNDP's international project of annually-produced country reports. The Palestine Report is produced in close consultation and coordination with a technical advisory group from PNA ministries, Palestinian NGOs and expert consultants from the area.

Academic Programme

The DSP cooperates with the Palestinian universities and academic centers to integrate and improve the curriculum related to development studies in their educational programmes. The DSP is currently designing an academic programme in development studies for the benefit of academics and practitioners in the university, government and non-government community.

Al- Baydar (The Harvest)
A monthly supplement published by the DSP, Al Baydar aims at promoting informed debate on development issues in Palestine, with a special focus on the concepts of sustainable human development. It also aims at encouraging people to express their opinions, points of view, suggestions, and aspirations. Each issue focuses on a subject particularly important for Palestinian development. Al-Baydar has also several permanent features such as " Development Personalities" and "Book Review". Published the first Monday of every month, it is distributed with Al-Ayyam newspaper. It is also sent out to most institutions and libraries in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Resource Center

The DSP has established a special unit for development resources which includes an up-to-date library and information center. The unit is being expanded to be a repository for written and audio-visual references, reports and documents which examine development issues on the local, regional and international levels. When fully operational, the resource center will be capable of providing research information and data to governmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals.

Developmental Education Unit
Education is one of the most important elements to arrive at a sustainable human development. The DSP seeks to deepen and reinforce development concepts relating to education by offering theoretical and conceptual frameworks that places people at the center of the development ptocess. The DSP carries out research and organizes special lectures to prompt informed debate on matters relating to education. It also organizes model community activities and programmes to help develop educational policies. The Programme puts special effort on expanding the capabilities of marginalized individuals and groups through adult education programs. The Developmental Education Unit is an extension of Birzeit University's well-known Literacy and Adult Education Unit.

Community Outreach Unit
The Community Outreach Unit was established in January 1999. Inspired in both objectives and programmes by the philosophy and goals of the DSP, this is a field unit that combines theory and practice. It collects comprehensive and practical data on the conditions and needs of different groups and locations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Then it presents these data in an objective manner to interested institutions. Currently, and through its "Project for Developing Local Initiatives in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip," it seeks to encourage local efforts and initiatives in marginalized locations. It also works with marginalized groups through its "Empowerment for Development" projects.