PCPD was established in 1992 by a group of progressive politicians, academics, journalists and civil society activists within the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.

PCPD was established in 1992 by a group of progressive politicians, academics, journalists and civil society activists within the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.

The establishment of PCPD came as a response to the changes following the Madrid Conference in late 1991 where a political solution through the negotiations between the PLO and the Israeli government seemed to be on the horizon.

Since its establishment, PCPD’s focused on developing democracy and increasing awareness on the importance of the aspired peace based on UN resolutions and International Law which guarantee establishing a modern Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and resolving the Refugees issue based on the UN Resolution 194.

Purpose of establishment: Promotion of just peace based on the Palestinian Declaration of Independence of 1988 and relevant United Nations Resolutions towards a two state solution, in which democracy and social justice are guaranteed.

We are a leading organization in the field of political development that aims to enhance democratic practices and to improve the current political situation in Palestine. We are a national progressive democratic institution; our duty is to work at the grassroots level alleviating the day-to-day suffering and the hardships caused by the inhumane Israeli policies imposed on Palestinians.

PCPD’s principal task is to adopt and support the issues and initiatives of our target groups, and the marginalized and the poor in particular. PCPD works with the latter to educate, train, and build their capacities to implement projects that stem from their needs. We also work in community organizing, establishing local self-reliant committees capable of making their voices heard among decision makers.

PCPD helps these communities form lobbying groups, adopting organized democratic approaches in order to advocate officials at all levels: whether on the presidential, governmental, legislative, or in leadership of political parties. This aims to develop the rights and steadfastness of Palestinians, and therefore enacting genuine change. In effect, genuine change means developing the current political regime toward a parliamentary democracy and expanding the decision making circle, to include youth and women in positions that are conducive to a genuine participatory democratic process. This change serves as a mechanism of struggle to end the Israel occupation and to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the entire 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Thus we at PCPD work toward a modern, democratic state that respects human rights and the rule of law, granting full equality to its citizens regardless of color, sex, or political affiliation. Thus all democratic and human rights principles stipulated in the Palestinian Declaration of Independence (PDI) of 1988 shall be implemented on the ground. It is for this reason that we actively support actions and laws that guarantee social justice and protection for the poor and marginalized. These are the target groups with whom we work, who we feel are the power for change in Palestine.

Given the challenges facing the Palestinian people, the role of civil society is vital to the democratic process. In effect, from the 1970’s to the 1980’s, civil society organizations played a distinct and effective role in resisting the occupation and reinforcing the steadfastness of Palestinians on their land. Civil society also laid down the bases for political and social democracy, contributing to the democratic process during the elections of 1996, 2005, 2006 and 2012. Indeed, these democratic and national achievements required the cooperation of all organizations and the general public in order to achieve the political and social goals necessary for a sustainable democratic Palestinian state.

On the grassroots level these organizations, with their respective expertise and qualifications, are qualified to provide efficient and specialized services on the local level, therefore supporting the steadfastness of Palestinian people. They serve as schools for democracy – schools that enrich citizens’ participation in decision making, consolidate the rule of law, and function democratically. They make possible the societal transformation to which we all aspire.