Izzat Abdulhadi

Izzat Abdulhadi "was born in Nablus – Palestine in 1957. He has pursued his higher and postgraduate education in Egypt, Lebanon and England. Upon a decision taken by a group of academicians and professionals including abdulhadi, The Bisan Center for Research and Development, a leading NGO in community development and civil society strengthening, established in 1989 where Abdulhadi was the Director General for the last 18 years.

"The idea behind establishing the Centre was to strengthen the Palestinian civil society, promoting human rights, democratic principles, human sustainable development and social justice through community development and applied research.

"Following the Oslo Accords in 1993 AbdulhHadi was also among a core group of civil society leaders that established the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO), and since then he elected, consecutively, as a member of its steering committee. Abdulhadi considered as one of the most important pillars of the Palestinian civil society.

"Abdulhadi contributed, substantially to the establishment of the Arab NGO network for development, became a member of its steering committee, and accordingly contributed to the current process of establishing and developing a vibrant and democratic Arab civil society.

"During the course of his work in the civil society sector, he was able to establish many linkages and partnerships with various international NGOs, official institutions, UN agencies, and donor’s community. In addition, he has participated in many international conferences and global Forums.

"More than that, he contributed to upgrading and expanding the institutional and organizational capacities of many Arab and Palestinian civil society organizations and conducted several research reports, and wrote many articles on developmental and civil society issues.

"Izzat Abdulhadi recently appointed as the Head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia and New Zealand."

• General Assembly, Al-Haq