Palestinian Election

At the age of 26, Rola Sirhan, from Ramallah in the Palestinian territories, can lay claim to major professional career success as a radio broadcaster and producer. So why does she say that the big challenges are still to come?

It's her new job - as head of media and information for the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, and there's plenty to do: the Commission is organising a major election, one that is seen as an important step in the Middle East peace process.

Rola Sirhan holding certificate with Sam Zappia

Under the Oslo peace accords of 1993, the first election for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) was held in 1996, but maintaining the electoral momentum was frustrated by several factors, not the least of which were high levels of conflict and instability.

Rola Sirhan is presented with her graduation certificate by AusAID's Sam Zappia. Photo: Gregson Edwards

Following the death of PLO chairman Yassar Arafat in November 2004, the Commission conducted a successful presidential election on 9 January 2005. Now it's organising the long-awaited second elections for the PLC, scheduled for mid-July 2005.

'I see two principal challenges for my role with the Commission - helping to guarantee the transparency of the elections and ensuring the maximum participation of all entitled to vote,' Rola said during a recent visit to Australia.

Rola was in Canberra for six weeks' intensive training in advanced media management, a joint initiative by AusAID and USAID to build capacity in the Palestinian Central Elections Commission. Funded as an activity of the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), Rola's training was also supported by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

According to her trainers, Rola was an excellent student. And according to Rola, the training sharpened her professional focus. 'The course curriculum was very specific to my work for the PLC elections,' she said. 'It refined a lot of my skills, gave me some new ones and has left me feeling far better equipped for the task.'

Rola's intensive training was provided through The Public Affairs Recruitment Company, Canberra, Australia's largest private training and recruitment agency in the specialised fields of media and public affairs. Included were lectures at local universities and a brief stint with the Australian Electoral Commission for all-important on-the-job experience.

Australia has been providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian territories for many years, mainly through contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA). In 2004-2005 Australian assistance will amount to an estimated $12 million. Of this, about half is Australia contribution towards UNWRA's work with Palestinian refugees.

The remainder goes to other multilateral agencies and NGOs in their work to reduce the vulnerability of Palestinians to poverty and conflict and supports activities in education, health and food security and strengthening the capacity of Palestinian local government and community organisations to provide essential services.

2005