Information
2004 Sylff Prize Winners-Amal Jadou
Update. Jul. 15,2009
Here are close-ups on four previous Sylff Prize winners.
First is the the voice of the Sylff Prize 2004 Winner, Amal Jadou PhD., a Sylff fellow of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, who is now the Director General, International Relations Department, Office of the President, Palestine Authority.
1. Please bring us up to date on your latest activities in terms of your career and any other social activities.
Currently, I serve as the Director General of the Foreign Affairs Department at the Office of President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine Authority. In this capacity, I work with my colleagues to prepare policy papers, memos and talking points to the President for his meetings with foreign leaders. We provide talking points for his public speeches and prepare the political content of his visits. We also maintain a good relationship with the diplomatic corps in Palestine and provide our ambassadors and representatives throughout the world with updates on the political situation in Palestine. We host delegations visiting Palestine and give them presentations on the latest developments in the political sphere.
My job has taken me all over the world since I have been taking part in political conferences representing my country and my people. My dedication to women and refugee issues are still firm and 
I have taken part in the World Women Forum in South Korea in 2007, the Salzburg Global Seminar on Women in 2008 as well as in so many meetings local and international on this issue. I gave presentations at Harvard Kennedy School of Government on the political situation in my country and the role of women in the political arena. I continue to be active in many local NGOs that serve women and children.
2. How has Sylff or the Sylff Prize influenced or made an impact on your professional or private life?
Sylff has been important because it had placed more responsibility on my shoulders to be more dedicated and more true to the causes that I believe in, and to work harder to achieve my goals and to serve my country as well as peace and justice. Sylff also introduced me to some of the most wonderful people through offering me the chance to participate in the activities of the fellows and to interact with them. The recognition by Sylff was highly perceived by the Palestinian Authority and by the people of my country and that facilitated my entry into formal political institutions in my country.
3. Could you please give some words of advice or encouragement to the up-and-coming Sylff
fellows? For example, what sort of efforts should Sylff fellows focus on in order to cultivate
leadership qualities.
Work for a good cause that serve many people and believe in that cause from the bottom of your heart. Do not be self-centered, and work with others to build a wide network so that you can succeed in serving the cause.
When you are exhausted and feel unable to continue and you are about to give up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place. This is where the network of friends, Sylff fellows and other believers comes in very handy to push you forward and to help you see your goals come true.
Remember also that Real Leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination. As Margaret Mead said once, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” My belief is that the Sylff fellows group is committed to doing just that creating a better, more just world for all of us to live in.
4. Please describe your vision and activities for the future.
I remain dedicated to running in the next elections in my country to hopefully be elected to the Parliament where I can make a real difference in the lives of the people that I care about most. My dream is also to become the Foreign Minister of the independent and free Palestine so I can represent my people at international arena and to make the contribution of my people to humanity’s advancement and well-being both well-known and acknowledged. I am working hard to see my country liberated first and then to make this dream come true.
5. 2004 Sylff Prize Speech (PDF format, downloadable)
