PNGO

The Palestinian NGO Network is a civil and democratic body, which seeks to support, consolidate and strengthen the Palestinian civil society on the basis of the principles of democracy, social justice and sustainable development. It strives for the attainment of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people. It is a Palestinian NGO umbrella organization comprising 132 member organizations working in different developmental fields. PNGO was established in September 1993, after the signing of the Oslo Accords, with the objective of enhancing coordination, consultation and cooperation among the different sectors of civil society. Since then PNGO has become an important component of Palestinian society and serves as an essential coordination mechanism for the NGO sector at the local, regional and international level.

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

1. Consolidating, developing and strengthening the role of NGOs in Palestinian society. Supporting and promoting these organizations in order to enable them to reinforce and build upon the foundations of Palestinian civil society.
2. Promoting, consolidating and coordinating relations:
   1. With regard to Palestinian NGOs active in different developmental sectors, regardless of whether or not they are members of the Network, as well as other Palestinian networks, institutions and frameworks
   2. With regard to Arab organizations in particular, as well as UN and other international governmental and non-governmental organizations in general
3. Contributing to the formation of a Palestinian socio-economic and cultural perspective in accordance with the principles of public freedom and social justice, based on Palestinian and Arab legacy.
4. Influencing public opinion and mass information concerning educational, health, economic, social and civil rights issues.
5. Influencing policies regarding social issues and structures, based on democratic norms and values as well as respect for human rights and social justice.
6. Working towards the attainment of full equality and justice for women. Supporting efforts to enhance the role and increase the participation of women in all developmental activities as well as to change the stereotype of women in Palestinian society.
7. Developing and enhancing the capabilities, skills and potential of the Network’s member organizations on institutional, administrative and professional levels.
8. Promoting the Network’s structural, administrative and financial systems through the participation of member organizations in its activities.

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.