DOHA: Sixteen young Palestinians recently completed “Qasd”, an eight-day leadership training programme organised by Silatech and the Welfare Association of Palestine.
“Qasd” is a values-based leadership programme developed by Silatech which aims to develop a new generation of socially conscious and responsible young Arab leaders who will lead positive changes in their communities and the region.
“Qasd is different from other leadership programmes in that it is designed to impart a strong sense of social responsibility in decision making. It also develops meta skills that are in high demand for the 21st century job market, so Qasd participants are more likely to find good employment,” said Silatech Senior Adviser on Civic Engagement Dina Sherif.
Participants in the training included representatives from Palestinian Vision, the Burj Al-Laqlaq Society, and the Hani Qaddoumi Scholarship Fund. The training was divided into two four-day sessions, with the first conducted in late November and the second completed on December 13.
The two trainings were conducted by Silatech Senior Programme Manager Bahieh Yaish and Birzeit University Professor Dr Mirvat Bulbul.
“The Qasd programme has been a great learning opportunity, as well as an eye opener as to what is needed and to what can be done. My faith in change has been restored, and I believe that Qasd has the potential to become the tremor that starts an avalanche of positive change,” said Dr Bulbul.
Ghassan Shakhshir of the Welfare Association stressed the suitability of the programme for Palestine and the region, saying “Qasd is a unique, innovative leadership programme that perfectly suits the needs and aspirations of Palestinian youth.”
Qasd is a Silatech programme implemented through local partners in target countries. Currently in its pilot phase in Palestine (with the Welfare Association) Egypt, and Sudan, Qasd will be modified and adjusted based on feedback from participants before it is launched in additional countries.The Peninsula
