The session was part of a round-table meeting for Mr. Alhendawi with the Palestinian youth in Gaza organized collaboratively by UNFPA, and aimed at addressing and discussing the work and the challenges of the Palestinian youth.

15 active and independent youth organizations in Gaza that shall be part of the NET-MED Youth Project were present, being chosen after various mapping activities held in the past months. UNESCO Ramallah conducted a short presentation introducing the project's planned activities and the implementation methodology in Palestine.

The attendant youths reflected on the main challenges and obstacles for the Palestinian youth in Gaza, focusing mostly on the high unemployment rates and the restrictions on movement for work and education, in addition to the gap between the youth groups and the Palestinian decision makers.

Mr. Alhendawi acknowledged the importance of NET-MED Youth project and the role of UNESCO in responding to the youth issues. He also assured the importance of the voluntary work and the civic engagement of youth in their communities.

Mr. Lodovico Folin Calabi Head of Office a.i, remarked: "NET-MED Youth Project is a great opportunity to work side by side with youth-led grassroots organizations in Gaza and empower them by mainstreaming policies in support of youth in the fields of Culture, Education and Media".

NET-MED Youth (Networks for Mediterranean Youth) is a regional EU-funded project under the ENP- South Cooperation policies, and implemented by UNESCO. Launched in June 2014 and continuing until 2016 in 10 Mediterranean European Union neighboring countries, NETMED Youth aims to improve the access and effective participation of young people in mainstreaming their priorities into legislation and national planning in the Southern Mediterranean Partner countries.

For more information on the NET MED Youth project and on the initiatives by the UNESCO Office in Ramallah, please contact our Public Information Officer Majd Beltaji at m.beltaji(at)unesco.org