Human Rights and Democracy Media Center (SHAMS)

ABOUT US:

Introduction:
The Human Rights & Democracy Media Center "SHAMS" is an independent Nonprofit, Nongovernmental organization that was established in 2003 in Ramallah (Palestine) by a group of academics, teachers, journalists, lawyers and human rights activists. "SHAMS" main office is located in Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate.

"SHAMS" center believes that dissemination and generalization of human rights depend on the interdependence between civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, and their mutual dependence on each other, and the fact that they are inseparable, while women rights are considered to be a basic part of human tights. Dissemination and generalization the culture of human rights is part of human rights.

Goals and Objectives:

1. Activation of the media in community issues.
2. Promotion of the concepts of human rights in the Palestinian legislation.
3. Encourage women to take their role within their communities.
4. Strengthening the role of youth, and Initiating the voluntary work in Palestine.
5. Strengthen the relationship with local, regional and international institutions.
6. Issuance of researches and studies and publish them.
7. Dissemination and promotion of the culture of human rights and democracy, and the culture of dialogue, and perpetuate the culture and values of civil society.
8. Focus on issues relevant to children rights as a central issue for building society.

SHAMS Mission:
The Human Rights and Democracy Media Center "SHAMS" seeks to enhance youth role within the Palestinian society, in addition to consolidation of the culture of human rights, tolerance values, democratic notions and rule of law, standing from this point "Shams center is working hard on establishing programs and conducts activities targeting children, youth, women and men in order to empower and build their capacities, and work on satisfying their basic needs and priorities, aiming at deepening awareness, and strengthening the sense of collective responsibility, and enrichment and dissemination of specialized scientific knowledge regard human rights, democracy, civil society, voluntary work, citizenship, accountability, rule of law, environment, development, youth ,women, tolerance, development and dialogue.

"Shams" Vision:
"SHAMS" Vision is represented in a civil democratic society, based on justice, equality, rule of law, respect of human rights, and positive differentiation for the sake of marginalized and poor categories in the society, in addition to respect rights of minorities, freedom of speech, right in participating in public life, and the principle of equal opportunities, a society that allow each individual to contribute in the progress and elegance of its own citizens.

Philosophy of "Shams" center:
The Human Rights and Democracy Media Center "SHAMS" Philosophy is based on the following:

1. Coordination, networking, cooperation and joint action with the civil institutions.
2. Support and preserve the human rights, whether individual or collective rights on the basis of international conventions and relevant regional and national conventions.
3. Work on breaking silent and fear cycle, the thing that will help eliminating the old and traditional philosophy that is based on memorization method in education institutes and system.
4. Encourage community participation for the advancement of the human person and support, protect and defend their rights.

Membership of the Center:

1. The Union of Arab Human Rights Defenders”(AHRDU) "International"
2. The Coalition to defend freedom of expression "Palestine".
3. Arab Coalition for Darfur- Arabic
4. Coalition for the control of the rights and freedoms "Local" "Palestine"
5. World Organization for Tolerance "International".
6. International Coalition against War Criminals ICAWC "International".
7. the Arab-European center for Human rights and international law "International".
8. Assembly of the international human rights and humanitarian organizations in ?the Middle East and North Africa "international".
9. International defense Organization, "International"
10. Arab Organization for the Defense of Human Rights.
11. Coalition for the control of the rights and freedoms "Palestine"
12. Palestinian Coalition Against the Death Penalty "Palestine"
13. Coalition of Peace and Freedom "Germany".
14. Palestinian Youth Network "Palestine".
15. The national body for volunteering "Palestine".
16. National Coalition for the Global Call against Poverty "Palestine".
17. Euro-Med Youth Platform’s "International".