Al-Quds Open University participates in "Food Sovereignty and Women and Youth Challenges in Palestine" conference

 Al-Quds Open University, represented by the Faculty of Agriculture, participated in "Food Sovereignty and Women and Youth Challenges in Palestine: Youth Cooperatives as a Model" conference, which was held at the Red Crescent Hall in Al-Bireh, on 29-30/11/2022, organized by the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), The Peasants Movement, and Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.

Mr.  Mamoun Abu Alia, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Al-Quds Open University, indicated that "QOU’s participation in this conference comes within the framework of continuous cooperation with partner institutions and civil society institutions, which aims to enhance cooperation and communication between these institutions working in agricultural and food sectors. The conference dealt with several axes. Dr. George Kurzom spoke about the concept of national sovereignty over food in facing the food security lie, the schools of food sovereignty, and the concept of food security which deals with farmers as tools only and does not recognize their rights, and exposes them to the monopoly of capitalist institutions in agricultural production.

Mr. Rami Mas’ad talked about youth cooperatives and their role in the sustainability of food production and achieving its goals, providing food to the population without the need for intermediaries at very reasonable prices, and the obstacles that prevent the establishment of youth cooperatives.

On the second day, Dr. Ammar Dweik talked about mechanisms to enhance dialogue with government bodies, international institutions and agricultural committees that support the role of youth. Mr. Obai Aboudi talked about the absence of the concept of food sovereignty, and the government's agenda and the policies and plans of the Ministry of Agriculture. Mr. Muhammad Ewaidat concluded the session by presenting the Union's experience in working with youth cooperatives.