Background

Building on its longstanding work in and on Jerusalem, PASSIA organized this training seminar to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of young Palestinians to successfully engage in digital advocacy, media and public awareness activities against the background of their threatened religious heritage and culture in Jerusalem. The course provided participants with the knowledge, tools and skills to develop advocacy goals, strategies and campaigns for use at local and international levels. This training was part of the “Protecting Islamic and Christian Culture in Jerusalem” project which is jointly implemented by Palestinian Vision Organization, PASSIA and ACT, and funded by the EU.

Program Structure and Content

• Intensive Seminar. During the two-day seminar, key issues, concepts and practices of digital advocacy & lobbying were introduced, focusing on the need to protect Palestinian culture and heritage in Jerusalem. The program included:

• Islamic & Christian Cultural Heritage in Jerusalem

• Effective Communication Skills

• Analyzing the Context for Advocacy

• Identifying Target Audiences & Messages

• Digital Advocacy Methods & Skills

• Creating Content and Strategies

• Planning and Promoting Campaigns

• Fake News and Fact Checks

• Use of Different Social Media Platforms

• Zero Budget Tactics

• Certificates were awarded to participants who successfully completed the program.

Procedure

Candidates interested in the training seminar had to fill-in the E-application form. Upon selection, participants had to confirm their commitment to full-time participation in writing as well as submit a letter from their employers confirming that they would be exempted from work during the required period.

The PASSIA Training Program took place from 26 to 27 March 2022 in Jerusalem.