Palestinian Civil Society Institutions and Their Role in Activating Social Accountability: Local Governance Experience رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

This study reviews Palestinian experience and literature on social accountability to achieve good governance and increase public participation for improved public service delivery. The first chapter consists of the introduction, the problem statement, the hypothesis, the objectives, the main research questions, and the methodology of the study. After a brief discussion on the concept and tools of social accountability, this study illustrates that such innovations have led to improvements in the performance of state agencies and actors in varying contexts across the West Bank. Social Accountability interventions on the Governmental actors‟ level and strategic vision toward good governance and democratic system have been under researcher lenses to come up with intended study results. In this chapter the theoretical frame presented the impact of social accountability initiatives on community development in peacebuilding aspect. In the second chapter, the researcher presents a historical analysis of the Palestinian civil society, including the different types of civil society structures during various historical periods. Palestinian civil society development that passed through several stages. It appeared clearly that civil society has played an important and essential role in practicing different levels of community development along with national struggle. vii The third chapter covers the conceptual development of social accountability, its definitions and tools; the international experiences and the Palestinian experience; the main actors of SA, its importance and functions; and the best practices and the principal components of social accountability. In this chapter national and international SA experiences are presented, showing the importance of social accountability and its developmental effects on building social coherence and stability. Chapter four contains the analysis of primary data and secondary data of the current study. In this chapter, the researcher presents actors' perceptions and ideas regarding enhancing CSO's role in activating SA within Palestinian local governance units. Main findings of the study presented in an analytical way, the strength and challenges of SA in Palestinian context. Focusing on Palestinian experience SA patterns practices the in last decade mainly in Local Governance (LGUs). These initiatives resulted promising developments in this sector that requires continuity in SA programs, other requires performance and systematic interventions. Roles identifications and national strategic positioning of SA concept. In this chapter the outcomes of deep interviews came up with considerable findings and recommendations presented in Chapter five. Chapter five is allocated to discuss the most important findings and recommendations regarding SA practices and the best approaches to be adopted in the light of the national and international experiences. In this chapter the results of the research were presented to conclude the research and put forward new ideas that serve the general concept of SC in one hand and put important points for the benefit of SA stakeholders. No doubt that these results open the space for future studies to complete the journey of community development.