The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) held a specialized training workshop on The Art of Public Communication, Especially in Times of Crisis, focusing on the art of engaging with the public. Held in the context of the Municipal Technical Exchange Hubs, the workshop brought together 52 representatives from 34 member local government units (LGUs) of the Public Relations Hub. It aimed to strengthen the skills of staff members of LGU media and public relations departments, particularly in effective communication and managing public engagement in times of crisis and challenging circumstances. 

In his opening remarks, Abdul Mu’min Afaneh, Director of APLA Technical Support Unit, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of public relations and media staff in enhancing communication with citizens and representing LGUs in the best possible manner. Afaneh stressed that effective communication should be convincing, fact-based, and oriented toward clarifying the simplest pathways for citizens to access services while ensuring dignity and saving them both time and effort.

Delivered by expert Dr. Sa’id Teetan, the training focused on developing effective communication skills with citizens, understanding visitor profiles and communication styles, mastering active listening, absorbing emotional reactions, building credibility, and improving the image of LGUs. The training also included practical sessions simulating real-life experiences from participants’ workplaces, aimed at strengthening their readiness to manage different scenarios and daily challenges within their institutions.

The workshop concluded with an open interactive session, during which participants discussed ways to improve the image of LGUs and build trust-based relationships with the public. They highlighted the central role of communication as a key tool for improving service quality and ensuring effective responsiveness to citizens’ needs.

This training was part of the Municipal Technical Exchange Hubs, implemented in partnership with the GIZ Local Governance Reform Program (LGRP). These include six core hubs: Engineering and Planning, Financial Management, Public Relations, Innovation and Creativity, Sustainable Development Goals, and Village Councils.