The document summarizes a Mobile Monday Palestine event that discussed concepts of freedom and democracy. Over 80 people attended the event, including representatives from Jaffa.Net, Mobile Monday Global, the Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunication, Maan News agency, and Paltel Group. Panelists discussed how social media and mobile technology can empower citizens and encourage positive change, and their role in recent pro-democracy uprisings in the Arab world. However, one panelist noted that technology alone does not create change - people must drive reforms. The event aimed to foster open discussion and global cooperation on mobile industry issues.

1. VIP CenterAl-Mobaadin St. Al-Bireh,P.O. Box2435, RamallahWest Bank, PalestineTel: (02) 241-2020Fax: (02) 241-3030Email: info@i-jaffa.nethttp://www.i-jaffa.netMobile Monday Palestine and the concepts of freedom and democracyfinal Report ....March 20, 2011<br />Overview<br />This report aims at exploring and shedding more light on Mobile Monday Palestine event took place in Ramallah on March 7th. The report is important since it discusses and shows the main points discussed in Mobile Monday Palestine event. The report consists of five main parts; named: 1) this overview, 2) background, 3) discussion, 4) conclusion, and 5) addenda where extra information can be added such as photos, videos and external links. <br />Background<br />Mobile Monday Palestine has been founded by Dr. Yahya Al-Salqan, CEO of Jaffa.Net. Mobile Monday took place in Ramallah on March 7th with the participation of Mr. Jari Tammisto, CEO of Mobile Monday Global, Dr. Mashhour Abu-Dakka, Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology, Dr. Naser Al-Laham, Editor-in-Chief of Maan Agency, the most widely used Internet news portal in Palestine and Ammar Al-Aker, CEO of Paltel Group. Moreover, the number of attendees was about 80 persons who were interested in Mobile Monday event. In addition, Al-Quds newspapers and Maan News were covering the event of Mobile Monday. <br />The reason why this report is written is to shed more light on Mobile Monday event from one hand and to reflect what’s happened during the event from the other hand. In addition, this report can be considered as a guide for those who want to know more about Mobile Monday event, its results and recommendations. <br />Discussion<br />Dr. Yahya Al-Salqan, founder of the local Mobile Monday chapter, moderated a panel discussion with the participation of Mr. Jari Tammisto, CEO of Mobile Monday Global, Dr. Mashhour Abu-Dakka, Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology, Dr. Naser Al-Laham, Editor-in-Chief of Maan Agency, the most widely used Internet news portal in Palestine and Ammar Al-Aker, CEO of Paltel Group.<br />Mr. Tammisto Speech<br />Mr. Tammisto started the meeting, via online video from Finland, making three main points. The first discussed how a new model of future leadership should be based on transparency working together with open societies. His second point targeted the mobile ecosystem (policy makers, telecom operators and vendors) which has treated customers as subscribers, focused on growth, rather than empowering them for value creation and prosperity: “Educating and inspiring users to seek more value from this new connectivity will encourage positive change”. Finally he stated that the rise of social voices have no borders, for example: Ushahidi, a crowd-sourced mapping tool born during the violent post-election crisis of 2007 in Kenya, and more recently deployed after the earthquake in Haiti, has become one of the most notable people-powered open platforms available. Kenya has since made significant gains in the area of mobile development; winning the GSMA Governmental Leadership Award at Mobile World Congress in Feb. 2010, with winners of the Nokia Innovation campaign during the Mobile Monday Peer Awards of Sept. 2010 also coming from Kenya.<br />Tammisto finished his speech by re-stating the global objectives of Mobile Monday, which include; fostering an open and independent community of connections between small and large mobile industry players, bridging exchanges between domestic and international organizations, by enabling the presentations of innovative visions, products and trends for local members to effectively participate in global initiatives.<br />Dr. Mashour Abu-Dakka Comments<br />Dr. Mashour Abu-Dakka pointed out that “the situation in Palestine is quiet tranquil in which the Palestinian Authority doesn’t block or prevent the use of any websites.” He also pointed out that “the Palestinian Authority policy has proven its efficiency in which the use of internet increased between 2009 and 2010 and we expect more. The authority role is to organize this sector by making the internet available for all users” He also said that his ministry is working hard with all parties concerned to decrease the prices.<br />Abu-Dakka also pointed out that “the internet came as a revolution to replace the traditional communication techniques and is available for all.” However, he said: “we believe that people are the agent of change not Facebook or other communication tools.”<br />Dr. Naser Al-Laham Comments <br />Dr. Naser Al-Laham said that “social networking is rooted in the Arabian culture so it is not surprising to see the use of social network techniques in the Arab World” What’s happening now across the region indicates the necessity of updating and defining the unknown. Security limits, for example, are not well-defined but should be in order to protect freedoms whether it is on internet, Facebook.. etc. Dr. Al-Laham also criticized the traditional opposition parties believing they will be part of the traditional regimes if they don’t follow the update. Al-Laham also pointed out to the role of press which needs to be enhanced particularly on the internet.<br />The dictatorships in the Arab World consider the youth and their thoughts as enemies. Israel, for example, is the first country that prevented the spread of phones in Palestine until 1996 where it was almost impossible to get a home phone line, but now the situation is different and the power is owned by the community.<br />Al-Laham criticized the style of current Arab leadership pointing out that awareness and social foundations are the main factors to establish democratic communities.<br />Ammar Al-Aker Comments<br />Ammar Al-Aker, Paltel’s CEO, pointed out to the role of Palestinian communication companies in providing the capabilities to access the internet. He stated their capacity has expanded over the last year in order to meet Palestinian demand.<br />Al-Aker also pointed out that the adoption of Facebook across the Arab World has increased some 66% in the last two years which represents the largest percentage gain in globally. He also noted Facebook usage by mobile phones has more than 200,000 members; in addition, the Jawwal page has more than 155,000 members. Al-Aker said: “that is beyond our expectations to the extent that we are working on increasing Jawwal capabilities as soon as possible.”<br />Dr. Yahya Al-Salqan Comments<br />Finally, Dr. Yahya Al-Salqan said: “this timely meeting coincides with the current environment in the Arab World where communications, particularly by mobile phones, as well as social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube play a significant role”. He also pointed out recent events and revolutions taking place in the Arab World where dictators started the disconnection of internet and mobile communications.<br />Attendees Comments<br />The attendees then focused on the importance of not violating the rights of citizens in accessing communications under any circumstances. Abu-Dakka confirmed that the Palestinian Authority policy will not violate such rights. On the other hand, all confirmed the necessity and the importance of using technologies and social networks techniques so as to have a democratic society and to use it to end the division between West Bank and Gaza.<br />Conclusion<br />This gathering, its’ participants and their passionate comments, reflects the long-held and clearly HYPERLINK quot;
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stated charter of Mobile Monday: There is a direct relation between mobile connectivity and political, economic and social freedom, the power of democracy, the rational management of our future and the triumph of reason and enlightenment. Our most sincere congratulations and praise to all involved with these continued good-will efforts.<br />Addenda<br />This section provides extra information on Mobile Monday Palestine. Please refer to these links:<br />http://www.mobilemonday.net/03/2011/key-leaders-discuss-freedom-democracy-at-mobile-monday-palestine.html<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vemqXT73ZLk&feature=channel_video_title<br />