Hebron Mayor Khaled Osaily, Governor of Hebron Kamel Hamid, and Ms. Yasmin Al Sharif, Deputy UNDP Officer inaugurated on the 3rd of April the Department of Economic Development and launched the Youths Dream Project at Hebron Municipality’s Child Happiness Center. The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Mr. Ghazi Al Hirbawi, President of the Hebron Chamber of Commerce and of Industry, representatives from Palestinian universities, the Businessmen Forum, local institutions and a large crowd of official and local personalities.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Allam Al Ashhab, Master of Ceremony and Head of the Planning and Economic Development Section at Hebron University, said that this 3-million project funded by UNDP and targeting Hebron and Nablus Governorates shall provide an incubator for youths, recent graduates and innovative individuals to whom it offers the necessary infrastructure to enable them to implement projects, create private companies and ensure their success.

After the tape-cutting ceremony to mark the launch of the Project, Osaily welcomed his guests. “Hebron Municipality has been working for many years now to change the way Municipalities operate by making them shoulder new responsibilities when it comes to the provision of services and to enhancing economic development instead of being entities which only provide infrastructure services. Hebron Municipality endeavors to reduce soaring unemployment levels in Hebron and to provide job opportunities for recent graduates. This is done through joint action with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Businessmen Forum because we believe in partnerships with the Private Sector to promote investments, develop Hebron and achieve complementarity amongst local institutions”, he said.

Mayor Osaily thanked both Imad Al Saed and Ahmad Al Shurafa from UNDP for their efforts. He also lauded the work of Architecture students at Polytechnic University who prepared designs and oversaw the implementation of the project and commended all partners and sponsors.

Governor Hamid lauded all achievements made to develop and nurture young people. “We are not surprised by this new Project as Hebron Municipality has accustomed us to innovative development and strategic projects of which we are proud. Palestinians must all be proud of Hebron Municipality whose achievements and clear vision help fulfill all local community needs. Young Palestinians have all the necessary capacities to ascertain themselves and achieve their goals. Joint action and complementarity amongst local institutions reflect success stories and help us work in the right direction to develop Palestine, especially under the leadership of such great institutions as Hebron Municipality”, he added.

Ms. Al Sharif underlined her great satisfaction with results in the field of youth development in Hebron Governorate in cooperation with Hebron Municipality, Hebron Governorate and other partner institutions. “Today, I can say that our partnership with Hebron Municipality has proved once again that it is achieving its desired goals through organized, creative and innovative action that fulfills the interests of each individual and achieves the public good. UNDP has earmarked important sums for local development in the oPt. Hebron can play a pioneering role in this regard just like in many other projects thanks to the clear vision of Hebron Mayor and Governor. Hence, we can see in Hebron developments that we do witness in many more developed parts of the world”, she added.