A national meeting via video-conference was held between the Gaza Strip and West bank on 14 September 2009 to launch the national Campaign to Defend Public Freedoms and Human Rights and to Promote the Restoration of National Unity in Palestine. Over 150 r more
On October 2nd, 2009, the Palestinian Authority withdrew of its draft resolution supporting the recommendations contained in the Goldstone Report, resulting in a deferral of a vote to endorse the report in the Human Rights Council to March 2010. The repor more
The university of Trondheim in Norway may become the first university in the West to adopt an academic boycott of Israel, if a majority of its board votes in favor of the move at a meeting on the subject next month. more
In November 2009, the jury of the French National Consultant Committee for Human Rights in France selected the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) as one of the five winners more
( statement by the Palestinian NGO'S Network - PNGO ) Yesterday morning, May 6, 2010 at 6 am the Israeli General Security Service and Israeli police raided Ameer Makhoul's home in Haifa and arrested him. Makhoul, serves as General Director of Ittijah more
On Tuesday May 11, the Consul General of France in Jerusalem, Frédéric esagneaux, handed over a more
The Free Gaza flotilla, carrying around 700 pro-Palestinian activists from various countries, as well as approximately 10,000 tones of humanitarian aid, was headed for Gaza on Monday May 31st, 2010. While still travelling on international waters, 65 km of more
PNGO by laws
By-Laws of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations' Network (PNGO), 1995
Definition of an NGO
We define an NGO as a non-profit institution of a civil nature, which is active in development work of a scientific, charitable, educational, legal or religious kind and operates without any discrimination with regard to ethnicity, religion or sex.
Definition of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations' Network
The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations' Network constitutes a voluntary cluster of Palestinian NGOs from different developmental sectors. They are brought together by a unified vision, seeking to develop and strengthen Palestinian civil society.
Vision and Perspectives
The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations' Network is a civil and democratic gathering which strives to support, consolidate and strengthen Palestinian civil society according to the principles of democracy, social justice and sustainable development. PNGO carries out its activities without any discrimination with regard to ethnicity, religion or sex.
Goals
Mechanisms
1. Conducting various studies on civil and democratic society as well as on laws on how to regulate the activities of Palestinian NGOs.
2. Organizing seminars, conferences, workshops and regular meetings for NGOs whenever the need arises in order to discuss topics, such as democracy and civil society. Taking measures to strengthen advocacy and lobbying with regard to certain issues.
3. Developing a comprehensive system of providing information on Palestinian NGOs, i.e. their goals, activities and methods of operation. Making this information available to researchers and concerned people locally and abroad.
4. Issuing a periodical news bulletin as well as other publications in order to enhance dialogue and coordination among Palestinian NGOs and disseminate information on their activities.
5. Developing other mechanisms in order to achieve the above-mentioned goals.
Administrative and Organizational Structure
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is made up of the entirety of the Network's member organizations. It has the following powers and responsibilities:
1. To discuss and approve the Network's annual plan and its audited budget.
2. To discuss and approve future annual plans.
3. To review and approve the Network's financial plans and policies.
4. To elect member organizations which are to form part of the Network's Steering Committee once every two years. Two member organizations which were part of the previous Committee must maintain their membership in the new Committee in order to guarantee the continuity of work.
5. To approve new memberships, upon the recommendation of the Steering Committee.
6. To modify and approve the Network's By-Laws, with the approval of at least two-thirds of the member organizations.
7. To convene at least twice a year.
8. To determine annual membership fees.
9. To form specialized committees within the Network whenever the need arises.
The Steering Committee
The Steering Committee comprises seven to nine member organizations that work voluntarily and have the following powers and responsibilities:
1. To implement the goals of the Network by formulating annual administrative and financial plans and programs, which are to be approved by the General Assembly.
2. To prepare detailed work plans derived from the annual plans.
3. To meet at least once every two weeks in order to supervise the Network's daily performance. Additional meetings can be convened when the need arises.
4. To supervise the process of receiving and disbursing funds, to prepare the annual budget and to ensure that accounts are audited.
5. To present administrative and financial annual reports to the General Assembly for approval.
6. To raise the funds required to guarantee the execution of the Network's annual plan in cooperation with the General Assembly.
7. To supervise the collection of the annual membership fees.
8. To receive, process and assess applications for membership and make recommendations to the General Assembly during its annual meeting concerning the suitability of the organizations in question.
9. To approve the employment of the Network's coordinator and other employees, in accordance with the needs of the Network.
10. To seek the help of advisors and experts in order to improve the Network's performance.
11. To officially represent the Network both locally and internationally, within the framework of its stated goals.
Membership
1. Organizations, not individuals, are eligible for membership.
2. Any organization, meeting the definition of an NGO as outlined above, is eligible to join the Network if it fulfills the following criteria:
1) It must have been established for at least two years before applying for membership.
2) It must be active in one or more of the fields detailed in the above NGO definition.
3) Its program must outline a clear strategy, goals and activities. It must have identified mechanisms for the attainment of its goals and the evaluation of its work.
4) It must have clear By-Laws that stipulate how decisions are made and define the interrelation among different administrative levels. There need to be job descriptions for all employees. The organization must provide information about its internal structures, including the names and duties of the people working for it.
5) Its financial reports must be completed professionally, audited by a chartered auditor and approved by authoritative bodies.
6) It is required to have issued at least one annual report outlining its work and activities.
7) Its activities must be compatible with the stated goals and objectives of its program.
8) The Chairperson of its Board of Directors, the Chairperson of its General Assembly, its Director General or its Executive Director must not occupy the following governmental positions: Minister, Deputy Minister or Director General in a Ministry.
The Executive Committee considers applications for membership and presents its recommendation to the General Assembly for approval by at least two-thirds of the member organizations.
Suspension of Membership
The General Assembly can suspend or revoke the membership of any organization in the following cases:
1. If the NGO in question does not abide by the criteria of membership outlined above.
2. If it no longer embraces the goals and general principles of the Network.
3. If it terminates its programs and activities.