U.S.-Palestinian Partnership Newsletter December

Promoting Economic and Educational Opportunities for the Palestinian People

December 2008 News

Since its inception in December 2007, the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership (UPP) has made significant progress in its efforts to create economic and educational opportunities for the Palestinian people. Through a robust partnership between U.S. and Palestinian private sector and government leaders, UPP is working to foster regional peace and prosperity by promoting sustainable economic development through job creation and education. As Special Envoy to the Middle East, General James Jones said at the recent Palestinian Business and Investment Forum, "The participation of both the American and Palestinian business communities is essential...for the continued progress of building a viable Palestinian state resting on a strong economy."

"Palestine Is Open for Business!" says Fayyad
"Palestine is open for business!" Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad said enthusiastically before a crowd of more than 200 business leaders and entrepreneurs at the Palestinian Business and Investment Forum at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Fellow keynote speaker Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also challenged the business people in the room to "give voice and give reality to hope." Sec. Rice said the Palestinians are now poised to create the kind of business economy that will steer them toward a viable and sustainable future.

The Palestinian Business and Investment Forum, co-hosted by the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership (UPP) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, took place on October 14, 2008. Speakers included U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Special Envoy to the Middle East General James Jones, Deputy Secretary of Treasury Robert Kimmitt, Deputy Secretary of Commerce John J. Sullivan, Acting Deputy Administrator of USAID James Kunder, MEII Chairman Berl Bernhard, and President and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Robert Mosbacher, Jr.

In addition to inspirational speeches, insightful panels, and networking opportunities, major commitments to educational and economic initiatives for Palestinians were also announced. TouchStar CEO Steve Bederman announced a commitment of more than $1.5 million in technology and services to develop a call center that will create 600 new job opportunities for Palestinians. Representatives from the Bank of Palestine and Capital Gate Services signed a memorandum of understanding, signifying the first client commitment to the call center.

Cisco announced it would invest $10 million to seed a sustainable model of job-creation and economic development in the Palestinian Territories. In addition to training both professors and students on business development and planning, Intel announced it will donate 900 Classmate PCs to Palestinian schools and work to provide a connectivity solution among the four UPP-supported West Bank youth centers.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America announced a commitment to provide training to youth center leadership in the West Bank and to form sister-city relationships between the youth centers in the West Bank and Boys & Girls Clubs in the U.S. Read more.

Beita Youth Center Opened
In mid-November, U.S.-Palestinian Partnership co-chairs, Ziad Asali and Jean Case, Special Assistant to the Administrator on the Middle East George Laudato and Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs James Glassman led a delegation to the West Bank to participate in the opening of a Youth Development and Resource Center (YDRC) in the village of Beita. The first of four YDRCs to be completed, the Beita youth center will feature English language training, information technology programs, athletics and leadership and life skills.

The Partnership, in cooperation with USAID, is supporting facility and programmatic enhancements at all four sites, which will eventually link to more than 60 affiliated youth centers in the West Bank. The renovation, staff and programming in Beita are part of a $12.5 million contribution by USAID to educate and develop the next generation of Palestinian leaders.

UPP Business Delegation Discuss ICT, Tourism Investment
The first UPP business delegation visited the West Bank mid-November. U.S. business leaders met with public and private sector leaders in Israel and the West Bank to discuss business and social investment opportunities in Palestine. The delegation explored opportunities across many sectors, including tourism, information and communication technology, agribusiness, education and pharmaceuticals.

YDRC Leadership Visit U.S. Community Centers
In support of the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership, the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs created a special exchange program for the leadership of the four Youth Development and Resource Centers (YDRCs). The State Department brought the Executive Directors of each center, along with officials from the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Youth and Sports and volunteers who serve on the centers' governing boards, to Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia for a two-week program that provided hands-on instruction in areas such as program development, facilities management, finance and fundraising, community outreach, and engaging parents. During their visit, the group visited several community-based organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the YMCA, and the Prince Georges County of Maryland Parks and Recreation Department where they observed and participated in youth-focused activities. Their time in Washington, D.C., also included a meeting with Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs James Glassman, a briefing on USAID's activities in the Palestinian Territories, American cultural activities, and participation in local prayer services in celebration of Eid Al-Adha.

The group was hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America during most of their time in Atlanta. Boys & Girls Clubs staff developed a comprehensive training program in which they shared their valuable insights on youth development, leadership, developing a mission, and effectively coordinating with youth center governing boards. The group also visited a local club where they met with staff and observed after-school activities and further discussed the Boys & Girls Clubs' commitment to forming sister-city relationships between the YDRCs and Boys & Girls Clubs in the U.S.

American Charities for Palestine Gaining Momentum
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with USAID, American Charities for Palestine (ACP) has quickly begun to deliver on its mission to improve the quality of health and education in Palestine. ACP is proud to announce the delivery of one thousand XO laptops to several West Bank schools through the One Laptop per Child Program. In addition to OLPC's donation of the laptops, valued at $200,000, ACP has funded the training of Palestinian Education Ministers on the use of the computers.

For more information about the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership, please visit www.uspalestinianpartnership.org or email info@uspalestinianpartnership.org.