On Monday, 25th of February, 2019, the PLO Department of Expatriate Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding with the “Know Thy Heritage, Inc.” (KTH), https://kthps.org/ to build a strategic partnership with Palestinian expatriates and to follow up on the affairs of Palestinian communities in the diaspora.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Nabil Shaath, head of the Expatriate Affairs Department, and KTH’s President/CEO Mr. Rateb Rabie. In attendance, Nihad Abu Ghosh, Rania Dwaikat of the Expatriate Affairs department, and Nicola Kawas of KTH.

Dr. Shaath emphasized the importance of this memorandum and said that expats and Palestinians in the homeland share a common vision and goals. The two sides expressed the willingness to build a strategic partnership to achieve those goals for Palestine and its people especially those in the Diaspora.

Shaath added that his Department is eager to sign similar agreements with other organizations and foundations, which falls within its work plan for cooperation to strengthen ties between the Palestinian communities everywhere, in order to employ their energies and potential to serve the Palestinian national struggle.

In return, Mr. Rateb Rabie expressed his satisfaction with reaching an agreement with the Department of Expatriate Affairs to strengthen ties between Palestinians in the Diaspora and their homeland. He said it also develops the concept of Palestine as the land of opportunities and investment which could be achieved by building programs to create job opportunities and achieve growth and prosperity through encouraging trade and investment and empowering Palestinians in the Diaspora to build support networks in their host countries and their countries of residence.

Mr Rabie pointed out that the memorandum will be reflected in various aspects, most notably: bringing Palestinian expatriates of different age groups to visit Palestine, enhancing their understanding of Palestine and its culture, as well as its economic, political, social and historical attributes It will be manifested as well in increasing their connection with their homeland, their cause and their people through field visits, lectures, and meetings with most influential leaders on the internal scene and at all levels.

The memorandum highlights the need to work on joint projects and programs in Palestine. Among those the “Know Thy Heritage” leadership program, which includes repatriation trips, conferences of Palestinian expatriates, and promotion of joint projects and programs.

The memo focused on developing a program for managing businesses and investments to support and develop Palestine, through a “Business Leaders Program” that aims to create opportunities for businessmen and investors who live abroad to invest in Palestinian projects and institutions, and to promote the import and export of Palestinian products.

The memorandum emphasizes the importance of cooperation and coordination of the Palestinian community and institution with the expatriates to create and develop educational and cultural programs and activities for the expatriates about Palestine: what it can offer them, and how they can reciprocate.

The Department of Expatriate Affairs is interested in developing programs to garner international support for the Palestinian people and their cause by creating channels and a mechanisms to reach decision makers around the world as well as public opinion through technological and social media avenues and to employ available capabilities and resources in supporting the Palestinian people wherever they may be.

To date, KTH boasts a network of over 300 alumni from 17 countries and 5 continents, including: Australia, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Jordan, Nicaragua, Qatar, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. These numbers are growing every year. KTH is a national non-profit organization registered in the United States. It seeks to groom new Palestinian leaders in the Diaspora, by helping, leading, and connecting them with Palestinian culture, history, economy, in order to find a common vision to serve the cause of Palestine and the Palestinian.

KTH is holding an Inaugural Banquet in Washington DC, on Saturday April 27, 2019 at Marriott Key Bridge, in Rosslyn, Virginia. this event seeks to launch KTH as a self-standing organization, and to make it known to the public.