International Conference: University Cooperation
for the Progress of Civil Society in Palestine,
Bethlehem University, 26-27 February 2005,
remarks by Timothy Rothermel

Brother Malham, Professor Hassassian, Minister Abu Hommos, and Friends:

It is a pleasure to add a few words of welcome to you on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme at the outset of this international conference. I am also pleased that so many distinguished European and Palestinian academicians, including university presidents, have been at last able to gather here in Bethlehem in spite of its ongoing illegal occupation.

On occasions like this it is probably customary for speakers from international institutions to mention examples of their support to higher education, their longstanding commitment to institutional development and contributions to the PEACE initiative. And UNDP, over the past quarter of a century has certainly had and continues to have a variety of very positive cooperative relationships with all of the Palestinian Universities that are participants in the PEACE Programme. My colleagues and I also are fully committed to continue these partnerships in the future. But I would rather focus these remarks, very briefly, on some thoughts for the distinguished group of European academicians who have come together today in Bethlehem.

First, you have my congratulations. Congratulations because of the longstanding commitment of yourselves, the institutions you represent and other European and North American universities to cooperate with Palestinian universities. This has, I am sure, sometimes not been an easy task over the past fourteen years, but it has been fruitful during years of turmoil and entrenched animosity. Institutional development is a process which requires nurturing and support over the long haul rather than a goal quickly achieved. You and your universities have certainly lived up to this challenge.

Second, the timing of your meeting comes when many feel a new consensus is building around reform. Not only are the voices of political and institutional reform heard here in Palestine, but throughout the region political rights, women’s rights and a knowledge deficit are being examined more and more openly and candidly. Constraints to human development are being examined in universities, in governments and in other institutions in a self-critical but, in my view, highly constructive manner. Perhaps one of the remarkable intellectual contributions to this nascent era of change has been the UNDP Arab Human Development Reports, the third of which will be inaugurated in about four weeks.

I can assure you that with a focus on the issues of freedom, good governance and political reform in the region, it will be even more captivating that the 2002 and 2003 Reports which dealt with the region’s overall deficits and its knowledge production and dissemination systems. Needless to say, continued violence and injustice both here and in other parts of the region, have inhibited reform but it has not extinguished its flame. And here let me share with you a quote that will be contained in a locally produced forthcoming UNDP publication, FOCUS, from Dr. Azmi Shuaibi, a respected member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and the founder of AMAN, the Coalition for Accountability andIntegrity. He said, “At the end of the day, what we really want is an end to the occupation. Proper democracy is not feasible under occupation, but that does not mean that we should sit back and do nothing. Some may regard concepts of reform as mere luxuries to ponder, but we have to be optimistic and lay strong foundations for our future.” So I can but encourage the PEACE Programme to continue and strengthen its cooperation with Palestinian institutions of higher education, even in the face of current obstacles.

And one other optimistic note: In spite of the extended recent drama over the appointment of a new Palestinian Cabinet and the understandable desire to see new faces in positions of national leadership, one of the very few individuals from the old Cabinet whom everyone hoped would retain his position was the Minister of Education and Higher Education. Because of his dedicated and superb leadership, it is a welcome development that Dr. Naim Abu Hommos was reconfirmed in his post and is with us today.

Finally, just a word about the Palestinian institutions with which you are working. They are truly extraordinary institutions, some of which have come into being since the PEACE Programme was initiated in 1991 and the original partners growing from strength to strength under extreme adversity. Just as other Palestinian institutions they have, individually and collectively, shown exceptional vitality, creativity and dynamism. And while international support will continue to be required, I believe that Palestinian universities also are in a position to make their own contributions in the field of higher education as true and equal partners and not only as recipients.

Once again, my sincere thanks for the privilege of participating in this distinguished gathering and you have the best wishes of my UNDP colleagues and myself for a productive and profitable conference.