In conjunction with its ongoing research (The NGO Mapping Project), and in cooperation with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and USAID, and with a team of Palestinian representatives of civil society, Dr. Nader Said, AWRAD's Director, presented the findings of field research conducted in the West Bank with Palestinian NGOs. Ten focus groups were organized with representatives of NGOs, beneficiaries and experts. The findings were presented before relevant institutions and decision makers in Washington including: The Representative of the PLO, Embassy of Bahrain, Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of Germany and other German NGOs, Department of State, USAID, MEPI, NED, IRI, and NDI. Decision makers in the Congress and Senate were also briefed: Congressman Howard Berman – Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, Congresswoman Nita Lowey – Chairwoman of the Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations, Congressman and Frank Wolf – Ranking Member of the Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations. A meeting with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Staff was also organized. In addition, a special meeting with the President of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, and his senior staff was an opportunity to present the research to the international institution. Roundtable discussions were organized in the Aspen Institute and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. One of the highlights of the trip is a dinner meeting with representatives of the Palestinian community in Washington, who were briefed on the Palestinian situation and civil society. The presentations helped raise awareness among international donor community on Palestinian politics, development and civil society. The visit took place between 7-11 April 2008.
Palestinian Delegation with the Danish Ambassador to Washington, Mr. Friis Peterson.