The Palestinian Center of Youth Action for Community Development was established on May 25th,2005 and registered with the Palestinian Ministry of Youth and Sport on April 11th,2006. It was a dream of a youth group from Bethlehem area who initiated the action towards that end. The first election took place on 25/05/2005 and the first elected board took over. The elected board, between 2006 and 201
0 succeeded in establishing some cooperation with 2-3 international agencies who provided some financial and material resources as well as tens of Palestinian civil society organizations. The board have rented an apartment to be an address and a place for gatherings and conducting some administrative and coordination activities. Unfortunately, between 2008 and 2010, the board of the center lost its internal congruence and efficiency when two of its key members had to leave the country for personal reasons (one for treatment and one for higher education). During the first half of 2010, the two key board members returned and started looking for a new start and revitalization of the center. With the support and guidance of other professionals and activists in the realm of development, the general assembly have been contacted and renewed its fees and elected the second board on -May 2010. The first step after the elections was conducting a two-day Strategic Planning workshops (21 and 27 of May 2010) at Al Phoenix Center in Dhesheh Camp. About 20 members attended the two workshops representing the board and the general assembly who thoroughly discussed, analyzed the internal and external environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the center. Then the present strategic framework was developed for the approval of the general assembly. The original name of the center was the Lighting Candles but it was the willingness of the general assembly members (over two consultative meetings held before the second elections), the previous board and the new board that there is a need to change the name of the center. During the strategic Planning workshops the discussion was open for a new name in the light of the revised vision and mission statement. The name that was supported and accepted by all participants is ” The Palestinian Center of Youth Action for Community Development” and since the approach of the youth action for social change is the Palestinian Locality Development, the acronym to express that and to be used for branding is L ( Locality Development) through Y (Youth) A ( Action) and C (Center). The Arabic meaning of the term LAYLAC the special rose that expresses the spirit of love and life.
