PEACE Program Conference Convenes in Bethlehem University
On Saturday and Sunday, 26 and 27 February, Bethlehem University hosted the 6th General Assembly of the PEACE Program (Palestinian-European-American Cooperation in Education). University presidents attended from Europe and Palestine. The aim of the 6th Assembly is to help develop the capacities of Palestinian universities and to promote civic society initiatives. The PEACE Program has been going on since 1991 when Palestinian universities were closed by military order.
There were over 133 participants in the Conference from Belgium, France,
Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as well
as Palestine. In attendance were rectors and other senior-level academicians.
The broad international representation included guests from UN agencies and
diplomatic missions including the European Commission. The Palestinian
Ministry of Education was represented by H.E. Dr. Naim Abu Hommos,
Minister of Education and Higher Education; Mr. Hisham Kuhail, Deputy
Minister for Higher Education; and Prof. Gabi Baramki, Consultant to the
Ministry. Bethlehem University itself was well represented with 43 faculty
and staff members and 25 students who worked as volunteers.
In his opening address, Brother Vincent Malham, Bethlehem University President, welcomed the participants and expressed hope that the PEACE Program will contribute to the noble cause of peace in the Middle East. He applauded achievements of the PEACE Program and described it as “indispensable to the development of Palestinian universities so they can meet the demand of cutting edge technology.”
Group photo of participants in the PEACE conference in front of Millennium Hall.
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Brother Vincent added that Bethlehem University remains steadfast in its resolve to go on, encouraged by the commitment of faculty, staff, and donors. He quoted a young graduate of 2004 who said that “educated people can dialogue with the world and can change the world. We are persistent because we know that education is the only way to a future with peace.”
President of the Steering Committee of the Peace Program, Prof. Manuel Hassassian, Executive Vice President of Bethlehem University, and conference organizer, said that universities have to change their students to the better and instill democratic values. He added that Palestinians deserve self-determination and their rightful place among the family of nations.
Prof. Hassassian called on the presidents of European universities to get in touch with parliamentary contacts, church leaders, and governments, to tell them that the life of Palestinian students is indeed valuable.
Ms. Costanza Farina, Special Representative of UNESCO, the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural fund, read a statement from Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO. She expressed Mr Matsuura’s well wishes for the participants in their endeavor to promote civic society development in Palestine, at a time when real opportunity exists for peace. He said that both Israelis and Palestinians must take steps to bring about a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace. Mr. Matsuura assured the participants of UNESCO’s support for the PEACE Program, and that he is looking forward to knowing the outcome of the deliberations.
Mr. Timothy Rothermel, Special Representative of the UNDP Administrator (the United Nation’s Development Fund), congratulated the European and American universities on their cooperation with Palestinian universities, and he quoted from an upcoming UNDP publication, stating that “what we really want as Palestinians is an end to the occupation. We have to be optimistic, and to build democracy as the basis even in the face of current obstacles.”
Mr. Jose Marie Ferre De La Pena spoke on behalf of H.E. Mr. Miguel Ingel Mauratinos, Foreign Minister of Spain and former European Peace Envoy to the Middle East. He stated that a fair solution is needed in the Middle East. The Foreign Minister added that final status issues such as Jerusalem, boarders, the wall, and refugees, cannot be left to future generations and must be discussed now and according to international law. He added that university cooperation will develop the path of peace. He concluded with a quotation from Pope John Paul II, that “the Holy Land needed bridges not walls.”
Dr. Naim Abu Hommos, Minister of Education and Higher Education, spoke about the political atmosphere. He stated that Palestinians felt optimistic when the Oslo Agreement was signed, but Prime Minister Rabin was killed one year later and the right-wing groups in Israel assumed power. Those were the same groups who had voted against the Oslo Agreement. So the Second Intifada started because of stagnation in the peace process. Dr. Naim wondered if Israelis want peace, and added that they are building settlements and a segregation wall, while we accept UN Resolutions 242 and 338 and an independent State in the West Bank and Gaza. He added that since the outbreak the Second Intifada, 600 school children were killed by the Israelis, 200 university students were killed, 295 schools were bombed, and 4000 children suffered long-term injuries.
At the conclusion of the opening session, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the university of Sienna and Pavia, Italy, with Bethlehem University, An-Najah, Birzeit, the Ministry of Education, and the PEACE Program, to establish a Center for Advanced Studies and Research in International Cooperation and Development. BU’s Faculty of Business will host the Center.
The Center will activate specific Master and Doctoral courses in International Cooperation and Development. Courses will be taught by teachers from Palestine, Euro-Mediterranean universities and institutions, and the whole world. A specific support is foreseen from Pavia, the Cooperation Development School of Pavia, the University of Sienna, and a group of European universities, among them is the IUED, Geneva, UCD, Ireland, and Nimejin University in the Netherlands.
Each institution will encourage members of its faculty and research communities to participate in existing and future projects, and will encourage the participation of researchers of the other institutions in projects in which it is involved.
Signatories of the agreement were:
1. Prof. Piero Tosi, Rector of the University of Sienna
2. Prof. Roberto Schmid, Rector of the University of Pavia
3. Brother Vincent Malham, President of Bethlehem University
4. Prof. Rami Hamdallah, President of An-Najah National University
5. Prof. Nabeel Kassis, President of Birzeit University
6. H.E. Dr. Naim Abu Hommos, Minister of Education
7. Prof. Manuel Hassassian, President of the PEACE Program
