Empowerment | Participation | Democracy

Supporting and strengthening a democratic Palestinian society that is based on justice and equality by enhancing the political and social competence, confidence and capabilities of Palestinian students and youth.

Students’ Forum Institute (SFI) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan Palestinian organization with a bold vision of a Palestinian society that values the political and civil participation of Palestinian youth and students. The Forum promotes democracy, the rule of law and good governance by fostering effective participation of youth and university students (aged 18-30) through awareness raising, advocacy, lobbying, training, youth exchange, development of creative community initiatives, consultation for students about the best subjects to study at university in line with the labor market needs, help in university enrollment and building their leadership and other skills needed to effectively compete at labor market through training and volunteering programmes.

SFI was established in Bethlehem in 2004 with the aim of serving student interests. It soon expanded to the Hebron district and it now targets students from all over the West Bank and Gaza.

The programming of SFI falls into the following main categories:

•           Political participation of youth

•           Civic participation of youth

•           Creative initiatives for youth

•           Service learning (practical work experience in the third sector)

•           International and intranational youth exchanges

•           Youth parliament

SFI is one of the few non-partisan organizations in Palestine that specifically targets students and youth. SFI works in close partnership with Palestinian universities, where internal politics can often be indicative national trends and can signify future problems between political factions. As such, student council elections are closely followed by the public. SFI's nonpartisanship meas that the organisation enjoys good relations with a broad spectrum of political parties and therefore is able to access a wide range of students and youth.
 Vision

We work to support and promote democracy in Palestinian society, based on justice and equality through political empowerment and capacity building of Palestinian youth and students.

We believe in a democratic Palestinian society that supports youth participation and recognizes youth rights.

We believe in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, specifically those articles relating to democracy and participation in politics, freedom of association, the right of education, freedom of expression and of the press.

We believe in tolerance, diversity, voluntary work, transparency, justice, social responsibility, accountability, equality and the rule of law.