Human Rights and Democracy Media Center "Shams"

National Network
Palestine
Telephone
0097222985254
Fax
0097222985255
E-Mail
c_shams@hotmail.com
E-Mail (2)
info@shams-pal.org
E-Mail (3)
omarrahal99@hotmail.com
Website
http://www.shams-pal.org/pages/english/aboutus.aspx
Organisation Type
Non-Governmental Organization
Year of Establishment
2004
Fields of Activity
  1. Democracy and community development
  2. Gender
  3. Human rights
  4. International/Cultural relations
  5. Media
  6. Research
  7. Youth and education
General Information
The organizational structure is based on a Board of Directors with 7 members and 8 other full-time members of staff, an advisory committee, as well as a network of grassroots volunteers. Our budget is project-based, and thus represents grants received only. As an indication, our total funding between 2008 and 2010 stands at $1,089,247 USD, about 2/3 of which came from the Danish Representative Office, $50000 (NDC), $62950 (Naseej/Save the Children), $43640 (USAID), $8800 (DCAF), and $5000 (British Consulate). Our projects focus on capacity building of local civil society organizations, promotion of human rights, training and awareness-building of democratic participation, and promoting tolerance between Palestinians and their European counterparts. This is done through training courses, workshops, youth exchanges, and media reports. Our main partners include Transparency International, DCAF (Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces), Palestinian Youth Network, Najah University Law Faculty, and the Central Elections Committee.
Mission and Objectives

Objectives:
1. Dissemination of information about human rights and democracy through the utilization of the media.
2. Strengthening the role of women within their communities.
3. Strengthening the role of youth and more generally promoting volunteerism, democratic participation, and values of tolerance in Palestine.
4. Capacity building and strengthening the relationship and cooperation between local, regional and international institutions.
5. Compilation and publication of research and studies.
6. Empower target groups to be able to demand and defend their needs and rights.
Our Mission:
The Shams Human Rights and Democracy Media Center seeks to enhance the role of youth within Palestinian society, in addition to consolidating a culture of human rights, values of tolerance and democratic reform. From this perspective, Shams conducts activities targeting children, youth, and women, in order to empower and build their capacities, and work on satisfying their basic needs and priorities.

Main Projects / Activities

Our projects fall into three main strategic areas. The first is the promotion of democratic participation. Our last two major projects directly reached over 12,000 young people and women throughout the West Bank through a series of workshops, training courses, and summer camps.
Our second strategic area is in the promotion of human rights. This is done through legal aid with individuals and organizations, and training courses (such as one project which targeted female preachers).
Our final area is the promotion of cross-cultural understanding. On this line, we have hosted a delegation of Danish youth, held training courses for a total of 9,524 Palestinian youth on the importance of religious tolerance and cultural dialogue. We are also currently planning to host a group of law students from Norway in a similar effort.
Each of these areas are complemented by our media unit which regularly broadcasts radio, press and television reports.

Contact (1) Full Name
Mohammed Hamayel
Head of the organisation
Omar Rahal