Good Governance Department Overview
Initially, the YMCA introduced key concepts relating to citizenship, democracy, active participation and respect of diversity in its camping and leadership programs. Over time, the scope of interventions has expanded to include specific projects tackling key themes and issues, including:
- Youth participation in public affairs
- The relation of the media, youth and civil society organizations
- Women's empowerment
- Democracy building at community level and in schools
- Transparency
- Freedom of Expression
- Rights and Duties
- Leadership Training
- Citizenship Building
- Financial accountability especially within the civil society sector
Policy Innovation for Leadership Learning and Reform (PILLAR) Project
Funded by the US Department of State - Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) from 2006-2007, PILLAR focused on the training youth leaders and young journalists. Their writing and journalism “know-how” was fine-tuned by experts and in collaboration with An-Nahar Newspaper, one of the most renowned newspapers in the Middle East.
They were afforded the chance to present solid writing for publication in a weekly supplement, as part of the An-Nahar newspaper. They were invited to address local level issues and challenges – diversify the issues and the writing. The young journalists were given the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces and a chance to get their names recognized – as several did.
Civic Empowerment Project
Funded by British Department Fund for International Development DFID) through Y-Care International UK from 2005 to 2007, the project was designed to empower youth in different rural clusters of the country. They set-up a network of committees throughout the country. The committees were locally elected and their aim was to implement, on a local level, sustainable, development projects.
