Sectoral Strategy for culture and heritage 2021-2023.

This Strategy for Culture and Heritage, covering the period 2021-2023, is a sectoral document aligned with the Palestinian Development Plan 2021-2023. Issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, it serves as the highest policy document outlining the vision, priorities, and national policies of Palestine. The matrix of policy priorities and interventions for 2021-2023 focuses on three main axes: (1) ending the occupation; (2) reforming and improving the quality of public services; and (3) sustainable development. Within this framework, the future vision of Palestinian culture aims to establish a unified and inspiring national identity, deeply rooted in Arab heritage and embracing a human dimension. This vision seeks to protect and evolve heritage through renewal and creativity, empowering citizens to uphold their national narrative, strengthen social cohesion, and promote citizenship based on values of equality, freedom, social justice, and human dignity.
The overall goal of the Strategy is to (i) Consolidate the concept of national culture, protect cultural identity, and promote cultural action by fostering a free creative space that emphasizes heritage and collective memory; (ii) Create an arena for dialogue and cultural action rooted in unity with the local community, positively impacting human life and thought; (iii) Produce knowledge and establish Palestine, particularly Jerusalem, as a leading Arab metropolis active in global culture. The document outlines a series of strategic objectives: (i) Protect, Preserve, and Renew Cultural Heritage: Safeguard the narrative, heritage, and cultural identity of the Palestinian people; Introduce culture and disseminate knowledge of heritage; Encourage traditional and craft industries, providing care and protection for them; (ii) Establish a Palestinian Cultural Structure in Jerusalem: Protect the national and Arab identity; Preserve the city's history and civilizations, strengthening the steadfastness and Palestinian presence in Jerusalem; (iii) Enhance Network and Communication: Strengthen connections among the Palestinian people, institutions, and individuals both within the homeland and in the diaspora; Promote national engagement, Arab and international exchange, and cooperation; Strengthen national unity through activities and effective communication; (iv) Promote an Enabling Environment for Palestinian Culture: Support the citizen’s right to culture and spread a national culture that fosters sustainable cultural development; Stimulate creativity both materially and morally; Deepen national cultural awareness through educational curricula and extracurricular activities; Support creative and talented individuals to enhance the quality of cultural productions; Invest in cultural infrastructure, both material and moral, to support these goals. This strategy aims to foster a vibrant cultural landscape that not only preserves Palestinian heritage but also encourages creativity and engagement on a local and global scale.