Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations (PNGO)

The Palestinian NGO Network is a civil and democratic body, which seeks to support, consolidate and strengthen the Palestinian civil society on the basis of the principles of democracy, social justice and sustainable development. It strives for the attainment of the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people. It is a Palestinian NGO umbrella organization comprising 92 member organizations working in different developmental fields. PNGO was established in September 1993, after the signing of the Oslo Accords, with the objective of enhancing coordination, consultation and cooperation among the different sectors of civil society. Since then PNGO has become an important component of Palestinian society and serves as an essential coordination mechanism for the NGO sector at the local, regional and international level.

MISSION:

PNGO envisages the establishment of an independent and democratic Palestinian state based on the rule of law, social justice and the respect for human rights. In order to support the above process, PNGO will:

• Contribute to the national resistance to end the occupation

  Advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people locally, regionally and globally

• Advocate for responsible and appropriate legislation and public policies
• Strengthen coordination within the NGO sector
• Strengthen democratic values within society
• Strengthen civil society’s organizational capacities

PNGO’s overall goal is to reinforce the role played by NGOs through contributing to the development and empowerment of civil society within an independent Palestinian state based on the principles of democracy, social justice and respect for human rights.

OBJECTIVES:

PNGO believes that the above-mentioned goal can be achieved by addressing the following objectives:

• Establishing international public education and solidarity groups in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people

  Strengthening the coordination and cooperation among the different Palestinian NGO networks and civil society organizations

• Providing policy analysis with regard to legislation and developmental planning

  Enhancing the managerial and institutional capacity of PNGO’s members

VALUES AND PRINCIPLES:

• PNGO is guided in its work by a number of values and principles.
• PNGO regards it as important that the NGO sector should be accountable, transparent and committed to the sector’s mission.
• PNGO believes in accountability with regard to all internal structural levels: The coordination office is accountable to the steering committee, the steering committee to the general assembly and the general assembly to the partner NGOs and the community at large.
• PNGO is guided by the network’s clear mission which states that the national developmental roles of NGOs should complement the building of a democratic Palestinian civil society based on social justice, the sovereignty of law and the respect for human rights.
• PNGO’s work is based on transparent administrative and financial systems which stipulate the production of regular administrative and financial reports.
• PNGO believes in joint leadership and teamwork, with decisions being made in a process of consultation among all the parties involved.
• PNGO believes in equal partnerships with its international partners and in discussions that are based on equality and mutual respect.