General Information
Technical Information
The State of Palestine was chosen as a beneficiary of the project "Reshaping Cultural Policies for the Promotion of Fundamental Freedoms and Diversity of Cultural Expression" for the year 2019, implemented by UNESCO with the financial support of SIDA. Within the framework of this project, UNESCO provided the State of Palestine the opportunity to organize multi‐stakeholder consultation meetings that included governmental and civil society actors; delivered training on data collection and analysis; and supported inter-ministerial cooperation. On the other hand, the project shall allow facilitating public debates on emerging topics such as digital culture, gender equality in culture, media diversity and artistic freedom. Due the Covid-19 Pandemic, these debates did not take place yet and are foreseen to be conducted during the month of August.
In consistency with the methodology outlined above, the Ministry of Culture formed a national team based on an official cabinet decree. The national team consisted of 20 members who worked collaboratively through four thematic groups (corresponding to the report's format), representing public entities and civil society organizations in order to create general structure of the report, collect data and statistics, and contribute to writing the report in general and Culture Society Organizations’ (CSOs) section in particular, outlining the main achievements in addition to shortcomings, challenges and priorities.
MOC has been keen to get more stakeholders on board, from different governmental and semi- governmental entities, non-governmental institutions, civil society experts, and culture operators. To this end, MOC, in partnership with UNESCO Ramallah Office, held several awareness-raising sessions and multi-stakeholder consultations (in Ramallah, Jerusalem and Gaza). A final endorsement workshop was held virtually (corresponding to safety regulations imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic) with all stakeholders, highlighting the outcomes of the process and providing a summary of the report.
In October 2011, Palestine became the 195th full member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Subsequently and since then, Palestine has ratified six UNESCO Conventions, including the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. The Ministry of Culture (MOC) is the authorized entity to lead efforts for implementing, and advancing the principles and goals of the 2005 Convention, and managed to submit the first quadrennial report on the Convention in June 2017. On the other hand, the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Culture and Science is the focal point for the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD). In the current reporting exercise and since 2019, Palestine benefited from UNESCO’s support through the project “Reshaping Cultural Policies for the Promotion of Fundamental Freedoms and Diversity of Cultural Expression” financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
In the last four years, and in partnership with UNESCO and other relevant stakeholders, MOC has worked actively to setting the way towards achieving the different goals of the 2005 Convention. On one hand, MOC conducted a series of capacity building and training modules on the 2005 Convention, its goals, its implementation mechanisms and its policies in Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Gaza. Moreover, MOC organized a series of training sessions on the IFCD, introducing Cultural Society Organizations (CSOs) in Palestine to the fund and its conditions and application process, which resulted in selecting three CSOs as recipients of the fund during the past 3 years.
On the other hand, ratifying the 2005 Convention motivated the State of Palestine to incorporate culture on the national agenda of sustainable development 2017-2022, including, for the first time, an explicit reference to creative industries. Focusing on culture was further elaborated in Palestine with the development of the 2017-2022 National Strategy for Culture, which was based on the provisions of the 2005 Convention for setting up the cultural policies. Furthermore, MOC in cooperation with UNESCO and thanks to the support from the Drosos Foundation, took on responsibilities to assess the multidimensional role of the cultural sector in the development process by embarking the first of its kind project, aiming at evaluating statistics and data based on the newly-launched Culture|2030 Indicators methodology. The project is utilized as a monitoring tool for both MOC and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS).
The national efforts are also evident in the first cultural strategy prepared by the Ramallah Municipality to include the city of Ramallah on UNESCO's global network of "Creative Cities". On the governmental level, the Ministry of Entrepreneurship was established in 2019 with a mission to advance entrepreneurship, including within the cultural sector in Palestine.
Additionally, and to sustain the film sector in Palestine, UNESCO is supporting Palestine through a programme to adopt new regulatory frameworks to strengthen the cultural and creative industries and promote South-South cooperation, aiming to establish a national entity for film in Palestine. The project is expected to commence during 2021.
On the international level, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) designated Jerusalem as the Capital City of Islamic Culture for the year 2019, whereas celebrating "Bethlehem - Capital of Arab Culture 2020" was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the State of Palestine, through MOC, signed and activated several cultural agreements with Arab and foreign countries, including the government of Norway, to continue supporting the Palestine Cultural Fund (PCF).
Palestinian creative independent sector has been an active and an influential player in art production, developing the Palestinian contemporary art scene in particular, introducing Palestinian artists to regional and international art scene, and advancing creative industries, especially filmmaking and music. The independent sector, including cultural and artistic NGOs, independent artists and independent initiatives such as cooperatives, bands and companies, have all contributed to presenting Palestinians’ multiplicity and diverse cultural expressions worldwide.
On another positive outlook, the last two years also marked the birth of special projects that addressed the status of independent artists in Palestine, while the programs and impact of three main leading cultural networks was consolidated: Qibab Network of Jerusalem Cultural Institutions, the Jerusalem Arts Network – Shafaq and the Palestine Performing Arts Network (PPAN).
Despite the liveliness of the Palestinian cultural expressions, major challenges still remain and others escalate due to the Israeli Occupation that continues its illegal practices against the Palestinian People. As the colonial power continues its illegal practices, it imposes a complex reality for the natural flow of any cultural exchange and development. This applies to all the Palestinian People in the Occupied Palestinian territory including Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, Refugee camps and the diaspora as well as Palestinians living in historic Palestine that was occupied in 1948. While cultural expressions by default require the freedom and mobility of artists, artworks products and cultural trade, restrictions and violations imposed by the Israeli occupation undermines the achievements of the 2005 Convention goals and objectives, and most importantly, denies the cultural rights of the Palestinian People to be fully exercised.
The Cultural sector, whether public bodies, civil society organizations or individual artists, undergo several challenges due to the geographical fragmentation. This is evident on many levels when it comes to implementing programs, projects and activities. For example, some events in Gaza were cancelled due to the destruction of Al -Meshal Cultural Center in August 2018 by the Israeli occupying forces, whereas the Jerusalemites need to get clearance from the Israeli colonial power to organize cultural events in the city. There are many cases where cultural centers were forced to shut down or cancel their programs when such clearances were not granted. The geographical fragmentation imposed by the Israeli occupation not only disrupts the mobility of artists and artwork products, but also the accessibility or participation of the public in the events taking place in the different geo-political areas of Palestine.
On a national level, the absence of the legal and social infrastructure that protects the freedom of cultural expressions, and limited public funds for the cultural sector, and the withholding of Palestinian clearance revenue by Israel, as well as the limited contribution of the private sector in culture, impose another level of challenges on the advancement of the 2005 Convention goals and objectives.
Moreover, it is expected that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic will negatively impact the sector at different levels: funding, practicing and participation. In response to this new challenge, MOC conducted a comprehensive survey that would contribute towards the assessment of COVID-19 impact on the CSOs and the independent sector nationwide. During the lockdown, the Ministry developed several interventions that aimed to activate the cultural scene and support writers and artists. Digital culture programs were launched where authors and artists had the opportunity to speak about their experience and answer questions asked by the attendees. The program called “Talat Thaqafia” (Cultural sessions) that was live-streamed on MOC’s different virtual platforms attracted thousands in every session, where more than 110 artists and writers appeared. During the Holy month of Ramadan, through the social networks of the Ministry, 17 singers presented their folklore songs for 2 hours each day. A special program for children theatre was introduced, and 25 plays were live streamed. Additionally, more than 500 artists and writers benefited from this special program to support individual young artists and writers who lost their work due to the lockdown with $500 each.
Furthermore, MOC organized online art exhibitions to show work art created during the crisis. During the past six months, 18 exhibitions were displayed. MOC also launched two creative competitions; one targeting writers and artists to present the works they created during the quarantine, and the other targeting children. As a result, 250 winners received financial prizes. All these interventions helped activating the cultural scenes during the lockdown and gave opportunities to authors, writers and audiences in remote areas to be part of the activities.
On the other hand, and in the framework of the Reshaping Cultural Policies for the Promotion of Fundamental Freedoms and the Diversity of Cultural Expressions project funded by Sweden, MOC conducted a series of four talks and debates on ‘Future prospects for the cultural scene in times of crisis’, ‘Youth, emerging technologies and online artistic forms’, ‘Status of women in the Palestinian cultural field and creative industries’, and ‘Artistic training and art education’. Taawon, a leading Palestinian association that supports culture, also launched in cooperation with MOC a series of debates among CSOs aiming at identifying the future needs, while working at proposing collective solutions that would consolidate the sector’s resilience.
Finally, on the international front, there are certain cases where conditional funding and political agendas interfere in the freedom and the development of Palestinian cultural expressions.
Organization type | Organization | Website | |
---|---|---|---|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Culture
| minister@moc.pna.ps
| http://www.moc.pna.ps/
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
| jeragat@mofa.pna.ps
| http://www.mofa.pna.ps/ar-jo/
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Social Development
| abargothi@mosa.gov.ps
| http://www.mosa.gov.ps/
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Women’s Affairs
| n_alterawi@mowa.pna.ps
| https://www.mowa.pna.ps/
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
| mseikh@yahoo.com
| http://www.travelpalestine.ps/en
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of National Economy
| rayand@met.gov.ps
| http://www.mne.gov.ps/DesktopDefault.aspx?lng=2
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs
| info@moja.pna.ps
| https://www.moja.pna.ps/
|
Public Sector
| Ministry of Education
| rswalha72@yahoo.com
| http://www.moehe.gov.ps/
|
Public Sector
| Palestinian National Commission for Education Culture and Science (PNCECS)
| khlud.pncecs@gmail.com
| http://www.pncecs.plo.ps
|
Public Sector
| Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
| MSBIEH@pcbs.gov.ps
| http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/
|
Public Sector
| Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC)
| imahareedy@hotmail.com
| https://www.pbc.ps/
|
Public Sector
| General Union of Palestinian Writers
| gupw2010@gmail.com
| http://www.gupw.ps/
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| The Independent Commission for Human Rights
| walid@ichr.ps
| https://ichr.ps/en/1
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| Palestinian Performing Arts Network
| yousef.nazzal@ppan.ps
| http://www.ppan.ps/
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| Tamer Institute
| haneen@tamerinst.org
| https://www.tamerinst.org/en/
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| Jerusalem Arts Network "SHAFAQ"
| daoud@jerusalemarts.net
| http://jerusalemarts.net/
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| A. M. Qattan Foundation
| l.shalaldeh@qattanfoundation.org
| http://qattanfoundation.org/en
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| Art to Heart
| suha.sa.khuffash@gmail.com
| https://fr-fr.facebook.com/pg/arttoheartpalestine/posts/
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| General Union of Cultural Centers
| info@guccpal.com
| https://www.guccpal.org/ar/index.html
|
Civil Society Organization (CSO)
| Press House- Palestine
| info@palbas.org
| http://palbas.org/
|
Goal 1 - Support Sustainable Systems of Governance for Culture
Cultural and Creative Sectors
Domain | Culture goods and services value added | Equipment and Supporting Materials value added |
Cultural and natural heritage | $13,568.70 | - |
Performance and Celebration | $4,947.13 | $73.17 |
Visual Arts and Crafts | $29,799.51 | $68.89 |
Books and Press | $122,562.29 | $25,269.31 |
Audio-visual and Interactive Media | $37,907.81 | $537,772.96 |
Design and Creative Services | $95,199.00 | - |
Cultural Education | $393,743.40 | - |
Tourism | $157,599.53 | - |
Sports and Recreation | $192,429.50 | $113,974.27 |
Total | $1,047,756.87 | $677,158.59 |
Total employment: 66,311, males: 44,710 females: 21,601
Source: Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Population, Housing and Establishments Census 2017. Ramallah -Palestine.
Creating a supportive environment for the future of film culture 2020
Submitted by on 15 Mar 2020Investment in cultural infrastructure 2017 - 2020
Submitted by on 16 Mar 2020Palestinian Cultural Fund (PCF)
Submitted by on 18 Mar 2020Media Diversity
Independence Cultural Platform 2018
Submitted by on 11 Mar 2020Setting up cultural policies to promote cultural expression in media
Submitted by on 26 Jun 2020Digital Environment
Cultural Digital Channel - TV 2020
Submitted by on 10 Jun 2020Partnering with Civil Society
Tax exemption for artists 2019
Submitted by on 23 Jun 2020Goal 2 - Achieve a Balanced Flow of Cultural Goods and Services and Increase the Mobility of Artists and Cultural Professionals
Mobility of Artists and Cultural Professionals
Palestinian International Book Fair 2018
Submitted by on 23 Jun 2020Qalandiya International (QI) 2018
Submitted by on 25 Jun 2020Palestinian Translation Forum 2017- 2018
Submitted by on 28 Jun 2020Jerusalem International Film Festival (JIFF) Gaza 2017,2018, 2019
Submitted by on 07 Jul 2020Palestine Forum for Arab Novel 2017. 2019. 2020.
Submitted by on 11 Jul 2020Flow of Cultural Goods and Services
Treaties and agreements
Palestine National Theater Festival 2018. 2019
Submitted by on 12 Mar 2020Goal 3 - Integrate Culture in Sustainable Development Frameworks
National Sustainable Development Policies & Plans
REALISING CULTURAL POTENTIAL 2020
Submitted by on 15 Mar 2020International Cooperation for Sustainable Development
Agreement to establish the India- Palestine Centre for Empowering Women 2018
Submitted by on 18 Mar 2020AGREEMENT ON CULTURAL COOPERATION: Sudan - Palestine 2017
Submitted by on 08 Jun 2020Goal 4 - Promote Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Gender Equality
Investments in curricular and extracurricular activities aiming at reinforcing values of pluralism, democracy, citizenship and gender equality. 2017 to 2020
Submitted by on 07 Jun 2020From Women’s Eyes 2018
Submitted by on 08 Jun 2020Artistic Freedom
Tax exemption for artists 2019
Submitted by on 12 Jun 2020Measures and Initiatives reported by Civil Society Organizations
Visual and Performing Arts Programs (Academic and Outreach)
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Audiovisual Industry for Social Change 2019
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Supporting Digital Creativity
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Supportive environment for the Culture of learning in Palestine
Submitted by on 14 May 2020National Reading campaign
Submitted by on 14 May 2020The Sea is Ours- Gaza. 2019 and 2020
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020“Contemporary Linkages" 2018 - Gaza
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020Young Artist of the Year Award (YAYA)
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Visual Arts: A Flourishing Field 2017-2022
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Birzeit Cultural Heritage Week
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Next Generation 2019
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Palestine Cinema Days - 2017, 2018 and 2019
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Ramallah Contemporary Dance Festival 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Submitted by on 23 Jun 2020The Palestine International Festival for Dance and Music (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Submitted by on 26 Jun 2020Jerusalem Show 2018
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020Palestinian Visual Art Resource Platform
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020The Palestine Music Expo (PMX) 2017, 2018 and 2019
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020The Red Carpet Festival 2019 - Gaza
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020Faisal Husseini Hall - Jerusalem 2018
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020Al Ma'mal Residency Program 2019
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020Supporting the literary and scholarly production on child and youth culture in Palestine
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Empowering Gaza's Youth through Theater 2019
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Al Kasaba Theatre Rehabilitation and Empowerment 2019
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Women Audio Visual Education - WAVE - Gaza \ 2019
Submitted by on 24 Jun 2020Promoting startups in cultural and creative industries in Palestine 2017
Submitted by on 26 Jun 2020Dar Hanaa for Arabic Calligraphy 2019
Submitted by on 01 Jul 2020Silwan Tobdi3 (Silwan Excels) Jerusalem
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020Performing Arts is a Right and Entitlement
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Culture, Art and Social Engagement (CASE)
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Art for Social Change and Empowerment 2018
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Protection of women’s legal rights 2018
Submitted by on 14 May 2020Participatory Independent Cultural Work: Health Insurance for Artists/ Law and Cultural Practice / Small Grants for Artists
Submitted by on 03 Jul 2020Dignity Through Cultural Action by Palestinian Children, Youth, and Women (2017-2019 – Bread for the World)
Submitted by on 13 Jul 2020A New Approach to Drama for Deprived Children, Youth, and Young Adults (2019-2022)
Submitted by on 13 Jul 2020Emerging Transversal Issues
"Creative" program 2020
Submitted by on 08 Jun 2020Higher education programs in the arts 2017
Submitted by on 12 Jun 2020ِArt and Environment
Submitted by on 12 Jun 2020Sustainability of community participation through public spaces 2018
Submitted by on 13 Jun 2020Art market Jerusalem 2017
Submitted by on 14 Jun 2020Challenges and Achievements
Annexes
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Submission
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