RAMALLAH 10/22/2015: The Palestinian Center for Development Media Freedoms (MADA) is pleased to announce the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Representative Office of Finland to the Palestinian Authority  in Ramallah 22 October 2015.

The head of the Finnish Representative Office Ms. Liisa Kyöstilä and MADA’s Board of Directors Chairman Dr. Ghazi Hanania signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of the two organizations.

This agreement will aim at involving the journalists in the efforts being done to promote the right to access information as well as to strengthen the Palestinians citizens’ ability to access information. It also aims to enhance the capacity building of MADA to provide and disseminate all information regarding its own work, and to inform Palestinian public relations officers who work for government institutions about the right to access information as well as the importance of having an Access to Information law in Palestine.

 Dr. Hanania thanked Mrs. Kyöstilä for supporting MADA Center, besides the  support of Finland for the Palestinian people, either through the financial support to the Palestinian National Authority and many of the of civil society institutions or through the political and moral support.

He also stressed out the importance of partnership with the Finnish Representative Office through this project; which will enhance MADA’s capabilities and the capacities of journalists in the field of access to information; where this agreement will enable the center to continue its efforts in this field which started several years ago.

For her part, Ms. Kyöstilä noted that MADA can be a key player in promoting access to information. In her view, development and democracy require freedom of information and right to opinion and expression. Ms Kyöstilä is looking forward to cooperate with MADA Center which supports the Palestinian journalists in fulfilling their professional duties.