In support to the last phase of the constitution- making process, PCDD provided services to DRI under the project “ Supporting Civil Society Organizations and Political Actors in Elections and Institutional Reforms to Strengthen the Democratic Process in Tunisia” funded by the EU and the Foreign and Commonwealth office. PCDD delivered a practical training on advocacy techniques with comparative advocacy experiences from the Arab region to local civil society actors to actively pursue their advocacy activities on local democracy and governance. PCDD provided as well, feedback, assessment and evaluation to participants whenever it was needed.
Tunis
Under the project “ Libyan Youth Demands for the Constitution” funded by UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, DRI and Chemonics, PCDD participated in the elaboration of the Libyan constitutional regarding youth demands. PCDD assisted the participants in their preparatory works by facilitating an open and focused discussion. PCDD provided them with skills to engage in the dialogue and convince the CDA to include their recommendations. PCDD assist them as well to develop an action advocacy plan in order to pursue an effective advocacy campaign in the period following up immediately the meeting.
Tunis
Under the project “” and in response to DRI’s request, PCDD provided an interactive training on fundamentals of advocacy, strategies and tools, and facilitated the discussion between the Libyans activists and members of CDA on public participation and relevant provisions in its Rules of Procedure. PCDD adapted the training to the needs of the group in order to empower CSOs activists to actively advocate on constitutional matters.
Tunis
Under the project “Accompanying Tunisia’s Democratic Transition III” funded by (FDFA), PCDD facilitated DRI’s work and its CSO local partner the Tunisian School of Politics in supporting political actors to implement the new Tunisia constitution. In order to empower political leaders to actively engage on local democracy and local governance, PCDD delivered a practical training on advocacy techniques, including comparative advocacy experiences in Sousse to local political leaders from Kasserine, El Kef,Kairouan, Medenine, Gabes and Sfax.
Tunis
PCDD provided capacity-building consulting to the UN Women’s project “Training and Mentoring Program for Newly Elected Women”, as requested by CLIC. Over the span of several trips to Iraq, PCDD assisted in the development and implementation of training materials and mentorship programming. PCDD led training workshops and mentored participants over a period of one year, to strengthen the capacity of newly elected women through hands-on practical coaching.
Iraq
PCDD, as Advocacy Consultant to FHI 360, conducted four days of specialized technical assistance and training on strategic planning to the “Jordan Civil Society Project”. Providing advocacy training to one of the main and unique women’s unions in Jordan, GFJW, PCDD worked with the women to define their priority areas and develop their advocacy strategies. PCDD facilitated the development of strategies that served to guide their advocacy work for the following three years.
Jordan
PCDD provided advocacy consulting to FHI 360’s “Jordan Civil Society Program”, a project which aims to cultivate a strong civil society through a supportive enabling environment and engaged citizenry. PCDD administered specialized training in advocacy strategic planning for a women’s rights network of 84 NGOs. Delivering a four-day workshop, PCDD guided the network to develop the structure, strategic plan, and advocacy plan for a three year time period.
Jordan
PCDD consulted ACRLI’s “Towards Abolition of Discrimination Against Women” project, which aimed to empower Iraqi women’s civil society organizations to challenge gender discrimination in Iraqi legislation. PCDD equipped participants with the skills needed for effective lobbying and implementation of reform recommendations. Working within gender equality and violence against women, PCDD held three technical training (ToT) sessions to enable participants to efficiently advocate for their policy recommendations.
Iraq
Director PCDD was a facilitator at the LAU-LDF Arabic Program, designed to build a solid foundation for the student’s future contribution to democracy and peace in the MENA region. Sharing PCDD’s expertise and experience, Ms. Alameddine contributed essential information on leadership and advocacy.
Lebanon
PCDD served as Assistant Facilitator of FHI 360’s “Launch of the Partnership Forum and the Way Forward”, a three-day conference. PCDD ensured that a sustainable network of regional researchers was created by formalizing a self-governing entity and developing a vision for the network going forward. Under our leadership and well-facilitated participatory process, a network structure was developed with an adopted charter and action plan, effectively launching the network as an independent entity.
Jordan
PCDD, as requested by the Lebanese foundation for Permanent Civil Peace (LFPCP), conducted a two-day intensive workshop for activists in the Bekaa to assist them in developing an advocacy campaign to resolve challenges they face within their communities. Under the project “Promoting women participation and decision making at the local level” through community based initiatives PCDD equipped twenty women participants with the skills needed to define their own objectives, develop an advocacy campaign to reach these goals, and strategically plan for their achievements.
Lebanon
PCDD, invited by ABA, led a two day workshop geared towards improving the advocacy skills of Tunisian women lawyers. Participants were trained on strategic planning, applicable to their line of legal work.
Tunisia
Twenty-five women participated in a two-day training led by PCDD, as requested by the American Bar Association in Cairo. These young students of law learned in-depth about the ways to define and analyze problems in legal cases, as well as to determine the objectives targeted to solve it. PCDD also focused on communication skills, introduced as an art of effective dialogue to find solutions and engage their community.
Egypt
PCDD led a three-day workshop to support TAKAFO’s members to design an action plan to implement a disability rights campaign. Participants received a refresher on the basics of advocacy and resources available to them, while increasing their planning knowledge and skills. PCDD offered technical assistance to the participants with the end result of a detailed action plan for their campaign.
Jordan
During a three-day workshop, PCDD led 22 students under "MENA Youth Leaders" Project, to enhance their understanding of governance across the Middle East and the role of political communication and mobilization work. Focused on the ABCs of advocacy, PCDD trained participants on the skills and strategy needed for successful campaigns.
Lebanon
Invited by Ofiya, PCDD led in Qafsa, a three-day training on advocacy and public policy for civil society organizations that emerged after the Arab revolutions. Participants gained the core skills required for advocacy and strategic planning, in order to assist their efforts to influence policy. PCDD led participants to develop action plans focused on skills development for effective advocacy campaigns.
Tunisia
PCDD, as requested by OXFAM, conducted a three-day workshop to build the capacity on advocacy of Iraqi women’s organizations. 36 participants were trained on advocacy, beginning with an introduction to the concept of advocacy and human rights, to strategizing an effective action plan for their group. The final day of the workshop focused on developing a national advocacy plan for the social protection of Iraqi widows by defining the clear roles and responsibilities of each organization.
Lebanon
PCDD trained the staff of RHAS, over a period of four days, about in-depth advocacy strategy and campaigns. In order to assist the NGO in defining its own objectives and the way to achieve them, PCDD took a hands-on approach. According to participants, the experience reached beyond the scope of advocacy to change their perceptions and ways of achieving their life goals.
Jordan
In a follow up project, PCDD assisted RHAS staff in developing their strategic planning over a two-day period, offering more in depth knowledge and skills.
Jordan
Invited to hold two workshops for MEPI LAA, PCDD trained 10 civil society organizations in the project “Towards Environmental Advocacy”. PCDD built the capacities of participants in four areas: Advocacy, Budget advocacy, fundraising, and social media as an advocacy tool. At the conclusion of these workshops, participants met their goal of being able to efficiently advocate towards the passing of an environmental law in the government.
Lebanon
Based on previous successful collaboration between PCDD and OTI / USAID based in Beirut, PCDD was invited to provide its services as to several OTI partners. PCDD provided direct capacity building support to OTI partners in need of advocacy training by introducing key advocacy concepts, tools and techniques and facilitating the development of their advocacy action plan. PCDD accompanied each grantee during the whole grant and acted as a coach during the implementation phase of their advocacy campaign.
Lebanon
Continuing its previous work with AED/ Disability Program, PCDD continued to support the disability rights programs by leading two day discussions on coalition building, which included an analysis of relevant case studies and practices from the MENA region. PCDD also assisted Disability grantees on developing a one year action plan by providing one to one consultation to each grantee.
Jordan
Under ABA’s initiative in partnership with Qatar University, “Women Leadership Program”, PCDD conducted a full day of training on Strategic Planning, assisting 26 female student lawyers at the University of Qatar to acquire knowledge and planning skills necessary for the development of their future plans.
Qatar
In response to an expressed desire by the Tunisian Association of Women Lawyers (ATFJ) and in partnership with the American Bar Association (ABA) / Rule of Law Initiative, PCDD conducted and facilitated a 3 day workshop on organizational development. Women Lawyers were supported in the analysis of the external and internal context, identification of strategic priorities, and the development of an action plan for the coming three years.
Tunisia
As per the request of AED’s Jordan Civil Society Program, PCDD provided technical assistance and training for the After Action Review (AAR) grantees through workshops conducted on the concept of advocacy and advocacy strategic planning (micro and macro). PCDD also provided one on one consultation to each NGO grantee to guide them developing a 3-5 year detailed advocacy action plan and in identifying a 12-15 month plan.
Jordan
PCDD responded to AUB’s request by providing young and mid-career civic activists from the Middle East and North Africa with a full day training on Strategic Thinking and Planning. The workshop helped them define a mission, conceptualize a vision as well as identify strategic goals. The training was part of the “Leaders for Democracy” project implemented by AUB in order to encourage emerging civic leaders and democracy activists to gain academic skills, practical experiences, as well as networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.
Lebanon
On the occasion of the 9th session of Lebanon’s Universal Periodic Review 2010, PCDD, as a member of a coalition lead by ANND, contributed in drafting the report on economical and social rights in Lebanon that was submitted to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The report is the work of more than 21 NGOs and it is divided as per the expertise of each NGO. It analyzes Lebanon’s compliance with its obligations in relation to the respect, protection, and fulfillment of economic and social rights PCDD drafted the section concerning Labor rights in Lebanon. This chapter raises some essential questions on labor markets, the unemployment rate, women and refugees labor in Lebanon. The chapter drafted by PCDD calls on the Working Group and the Council to urge the Government of Lebanon to amend the Labor Law and respect the international labor standards at work.
Lebanon
PCDD, requested by DanChurch Aid, consulted on a project to prepare an advocacy campaign to improve maternity leave laws in Lebanon. At the close of the campaign, participants succeeded in passing new maternity reforms in Lebanon. Participants started to organize an advocacy campaign, and consequently were forced to carry out an in-depth comparison study between the laws practiced in the neighboring countries as well as the ones decreed by international agreements. In addition, numerous interviews were organized with various officials and the issue was discussed with the workingwomen to make them aware of their rights and carry out a public opinion poll among pregnant workingwomen regarding what they consider to be the most suitable solution for this problem.
Lebanon
As requested by OTI, PCDD facilitated the establishment of the Advocacy Trainers Network (ATN) of well-qualified and experienced trainers using vetted and standardized curricula. The curriculum was based on PCDD manual on advocacy, one of the first textbooks on advocacy written in Arabic for a Middle Eastern audience. Two Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops were offered, one in the northern City of Tripoli and one in the southern City of Saida, to standardize language and training for 10 trainers from the region. In the future, these trainers will form the core of the ATN and will provide regular trainings and coaching to nascent youth CSOs in the regions as they build their capacity and experiences in advocacy initiatives.
Lebanon
Under AED’s project “Celebrating Jordanian Activism”, PCDD facilitated two workshops in Amman, which aimed at strengthening the capacities of Jordanian civil society organizations in their advocacy and outreach: The first workshop provided its participants with the know-how to best document their case studies, which are considered as an important and powerful tool for their advocacy campaign. The second workshop was reserved for the presentations of the organizations’ case studies. The process consisted of a morning review of every case individually with the author, followed by a presentation of cases in the afternoon in the presence of a committee formed by AED advocacy staff.
Jordan
PCDD provided technical assistance and training on advocacy in the frame of “Ensuring Civil Society Participation in the Implementation of Jordan’s National Disability Strategy” project, which aimed to strengthen the capacities of the Higher Council for Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), its Secretariat and the seven Higher Council Broad Members representing the civil society.
Jordan
“Ensuring Civil Society Participation in the Implementation of Jordan’s National Disability Strategy” project, a three-day workshop was facilitated in April by PCDD to build the capacity of 36 participants, representing HCD senior staff and disabled persons organizations (DPOs), in the area of advocacy. The workshop consisted of the basic elements of advocacy with its practical application. The agenda was designed to tackle three main topics: strategic thinking, advocacy, and introduction to managing and advocacy campaign.
Jordan
“Ensuring Civil Society Participation in the Implementation of Jordan’s National Disability Strategy” project, a three-day advocacy plan workshop facilitated by PCDD for the HCD and NGOs/DPOs was also held in June. HCD selected representatives from NGOs/DPOs to share their expertise and help on defining the HCD’s strategic advocacy plan for 2011-2012 as linked to the National Disability Strategy.
Jordan
PCDD has served as a consultant trainer for Kafa’s project “Legalizing the Protection of Women and Girls from Family Violence”. A three-day training workshop was conducted to help women from different political parties to advocate for policy change and to advance the women’s rights agenda in Lebanon. The workshop agenda was planned into three topics: Leadership, Strategic Thinking and Planning, Advocacy. It was also aimed to help participants exploring networking and coalition-building as an effective advocacy tool, learn the methodology of thinking strategically and put leadership and other concepts in perspective.
Lebanon
PCDD provided consultancy services to facilitate the creation of dialogue platforms to encourage debates between the police and the civil society. This workshop was organized by the Institute for Civil Society Development (IDCS) in collaboration with the United States Institute for Peace (USIP) and in coordination with the Training Directorate of the Sudanese Ministry of the Interior. The theme of the workshop was: “Promoting dialogue between the police & the civil society” and was aiming at starting a police/civil society community dialogue series. The positive atmosphere of the workshop raised the participants’ motivation to work as future advocates of change.
Khartoum
PCDD worked to enhance the institutional capacity of the center in governance, strategic planning, board development and sustainability in order for the center to be better equipped to advocate for public issues. Three days were spent interviewing the staff and administration and meeting with consultants and researchers who worked for Ibn Khaldoun Center. All persons interviewed were asked to answer a set of pre-prepared questions. PCDD had also the chance to meet with Dr. Saadeddine Ibrahim and discuss with him the organization’s vision and future plans in view of the environmental challenges that the center was facing.
Egypt
As requested by the Office of Transition Initiatives in Lebanon, PCDD developed three case studies on successful advocacy initiatives undertaken by OTI grantees. The studies provided an in-depth analysis of context, strategic decisions and advocacy techniques, and were used as learning tools in the training sessions designed by OTI-Lebanon trainers and partners
Lebanon
PCDD facilitated a 4-day workshop in Egypt on the basics of advocacy for 16 participants from the United Journalists Center (UJC), as requested by the American Center for International Labor Solidarity. The workshop consisted in explaining the basic elements of advocacy with its practical application. The practice allowed the participants to understand how a strategic advocacy plan is developed and managed.
Egypt
PCDD has facilitated the program organized by ABA - Rule of Law in Beirut concerning La Sagesse University. La Sagesse Program was pertaining on enhancing the ABA-La Sagesse Human Rights clinical course curriculum and the overall clinical structure to build on lessons learned in the first year of university. A component of the program was also on the capacity building of the la Sagesse law faculty and the support of ongoing implementation of its program. This initiative was conducted in order to extend it to other law faculties, and develop interest and capacity to implement Human Rights clinical programs at the national level.
Lebanon
xUnder AED’s program entitled “Ensuring Civil Society Participation in the implement of Jordan’s National Disability Strategy”, PCDD provided technical assistance to the members of the Higher Council for Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCAPD). In March 2009, after a series of meetings held with members of the HCAPD, a pre-assessment report including recommendation for specific technical assistance was submitted to AED. Based on the report, a three-days strategic planning retreat (14-16 April 2009) was facilitated in collaboration with HCAPD which led to the development of HCAPD future plans
Jordan
PCDD also facilitated for AED a two-day workshop-actions planning session for a number of civil society representatives who are in charge of monitoring the implementation of the National Disability Strategy. As a result, the civil society representatives conducted HCAPD Town Hall meetings, in preparation of the first National Summit of the National Disability Strategy planned for November 2009.
Jordan
PCDD, under the program “Jordanian civil law reform” and in partnership with the coalition of Jordanian civil society organizations, was requested by Partners Jordan to provide professional services to the Jordanian NGOs coalition. The two- day workshop’s objectives were to structure the work of the coalition and realize an action plan for the next steps of advocacy for the amended association law in Jordan.
Jordan
PCDD designed and conducted focus group discussion sessions at the request of AED’s Jordanian Civil Society Program. The sessions where tailored for freelance trainers and NGOs who provided advocacy training, CBO staff members who have received advocacy training and are implementing advocacy initiatives at the community or national level in the different fields. PCDD submitted a detailed report with the outreach of the focus group.
Jordan
PCDD conducted training sessions on building networks and strategic planning, under the ABA program for “Advancing Women’s Rights in Algeria through Capacity Building for young Women Lawyers”. The project’s objective was to promote the enhancement of women’s legal rights in Algeria by building a corps of well trained young lawyers. PCDD was involved in the facilitation of networking, strategic planning, structuring an action plan, and other skills for the young advocate trainees to build their individual campaigns. The program has thus supported the professional development of women lawyers, strengthened the legal sector overall through more effective legal practice, and prepared lawyers to advocate for women through legal cases, community initiatives, and policy reform.
Algeria
PCDD, as requested by DCA, secured support for a joint frame of work between the partner organizations for an advocacy project. The aim of the project was to assess available resources within each women’s organizations and adjust expectations regarding level of effort to be put into an advocacy campaign, as well as to describe and secure general acceptance of a joint work structure between the participating organizations.
Lebanon
PCDD participated in the facilitation of the Young Arab Leaders (YWL) program at the Lebanese American University. The program’s aim was to build knowledge and leadership skills for the women rights activists coming from the Gulf States (Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen). PCDD’s role was to conduct a one day training session for the participants on advocacy strategic planning as to allow the participants to develop project ideas in order to be implemented in their countries, and make an impact on empowering women in their own communities to advance their social, economic, and political situations.
Lebanon
PCDD facilitated advocacy planning sessions for LLWR (League for Lebanese Women’s Rights) members in preparation to a series of activities related to the adoption of the draft Civil Code of Personal Status, which is implemented by the Commission on the rights of Lebanese women. PCDD organized a 3-days workshop aiming at providing the activists with advocacy training and discussing the challenges related to the implementation of the Civil Status Law in Lebanon.
Lebanon
PCDD facilitated training sessions and discussions on Democracy & Education for twenty-five young journalists and rights activists working under the Freedom Messengers Network (FMN) project. This workshop was organized by the United Group in Egypt with the support of Rady School of Management, University of California USA, in cooperation with Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (Jordanian partner) and Media for Training Association . The project aimed to prepare and empower a group of young journalists, rights activists, and film producers to use their professional platforms to spread the culture of democracy, liberalism, freedom of expression, citizenship, dialogue and tolerance among their colleagues and communities.
Lebanon
PCDD, represented by its director Ms. Lina Alameddine, as requested by the American Bar Association (ABA), provided technical assistance by facilitating a strategic planning retreat for members of the “National Network for the Rights of Access to Information”, and developed a final strategic plan. PCDD participated in the Network meetings as determined by the ABA.
PCDD was asked to prepare and deliver specialized advocacy awareness/education training workshops for network members on specific topics based on the outcomes of the strategic planning session Moreover, the role of PCDD was illustrated in a long term consultancy from the beginning of the ABA project by building the network to implementation and finally assessing the project.
Lebanon
PCDD has served as consultant for the “Capacity Building for Gender Equality in Jordan” program. As per the request of Freedom House Amman office, PCDD has assessed the three institutions; the Jordanian National Forum for Women (JNFW), Women for Cultural Development Society (Nama’), and Community Centers Associations (CCA), and helped them formulate long-term strategies and goals by carrying out an initial assessment of the management structure, human capital, board of directors’ relationship and areas for development.
PCDD’s task was to equip the organizations with advocacy skills and help themto promote gender equality and achieve organizational sustainability. PCDD has, in addition, conducted individual meetings and trainings to form long-term strategies, methods for achieving goals and management re-structuring. It has as well carried out a workshop with the Board of Directors on the roles of the latter in fundraising and policy making.
Jordan
PCDD, as requested by the American Bar Association (ABA), provided technical assistance by facilitating a strategic planning retreat for members of the “National Network for the Rights of Access to Information”, and developed a final strategic plan. PCDD participated in the Network meetings as determined by the ABA. PCDD was as well asked to prepare and deliver specialized advocacy awareness/education training workshops for network members on specific topics based on the outcomes of the strategic planning session Moreover, the role of PCDD was illustrated in a long term consultancy from the beginning of the ABA project by building the network to implementation and finally assessing the project.
Lebanon
PCDD has been requested by the Dan Church Aid (DCA) to provide consultancy in the development of a manual on advocacy. It presents the principles, strategies, and techniques of effective advocacy campaigns in an easy-to-read format, enriched with case studies from Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. The manual targets a broader regional audience in the Middle East Region and not only women’s organizations in Lebanon
Lebanon
PCDD Facilitated training sessions and discussions on democracy and education, at the request of Shoon Janoubia for 25 Arab young journalists and activists working under the “Freedom Messengers Network project”.
Lebanon
PCDD provided three days of training for 20 lawyers on the principles of Adult Learning, Training Techniques, and TV Micro-Training. This workshop was organized in cooperation with the Yemeni Ministry of Human Rights and the British Embassy in Sana’. Besides the practical aspects of Human Rights enforcement in Yemen, the lawyers discussed the following topics: To what extent can human rights be raised in Yemeni courts? What are the procedures for doing this? What obstacles do advocates face in this regard and what strategies can advocates adopt to overcome these obstacles.
Yemen
PCDD conducted a detailed study on prospect assessment for democratic political reform by determining the level of interest of local non-governmental organizations and political parties.The objectives were: Establishment of a sound understanding of why a commitment to the principles of nonviolent civic participation helps to deliver reforms that last, Application of organizational principles, Examination of leadership styles and initiation of communities of practice. The workshop’s agenda was designed around Power, Action, and Leadership.
Yemen
Over the course of five days, PCDD trained 16 civil reformers and independent journalists on organizing an “Access to Information” advocacy campaign.
Jordan
PCDD facilitated the development of a network structure and its 3 years strategic planning. The Network is composed of 82 Local NGOs in Saida and the neighboring communities in Southern Lebanon.
Lebanon
Over a period of one week, PCDD facilitated the design and structure of Young Women Christian Association(YWCA) a network of NGOs in Amman through a participatory approach.
Jordan
PCDD conducted the sessions of “Woman to Woman”, an international workshop for 20 activists advocating for women political rights. The seminar’s objective was: to facilitate progress in Lebanon in strengthening women political rights and public participation by sharing the experiences accumulated in this field in Central and Southeast Europe during the course of the region’s transition period.Twenty-five Lebanese women of various professions and sectarian groups participated in this seminar, and created “Moubadirat” and chose the issue area of social rights, namely defending the rights of marginalized target groups, such as women working in agriculture. The critical skills learned by the “Moubadirat” group (strategic thinking, campaign planning, and media relations) can very well be applied to other issue areas.
Hungary
As requested by Freedom House Tunisia, PCDD trained 20 civil reformers from different North African Countries. This “Civic Participation” workshop taught participants how to plan for a successful and peaceful campaign.
Tunisia
PCDD assisted a group of Jordanian Women NGO delegates to develop advocacy strategic planning in order to influence draft laws, lobby, and advocate for their implementation. The workshop, Training Women Activists on Thinking Strategically & Organizing an Effective Advocacy Campaign, focused on building skills to implement an advocacy action plan, and its topics revolved round two main themes: Strategic Thinking and Organizing an Advocacy Campaign.
Jordan
Over a period of 22 days, PCDD conducted a series of training courses as requested by ANND. Members of targeted municipal councils were trained to become active partners in development and policy making. The project consisted of a series of capacity building workshops that targeted Municipal Councils and CSOs, its objective was to learn about the different participation mechanisms that would allow Municipal Councils become active partners in development policy making. Networking and advocacy were among the topics discussed at the workshops held in the six regions mentioned above; these topics tackled the basic concepts of coalition building, lobbying and the need to coordinate among various local and national actor
Lebanon
PCDD facilitated the development of a Network Structure and its 3 years strategic planning. The Network is composed of 82 Local NGOs in Saida and the neighboring communities in Southern Lebanon.
Lebanon