September 01 , 2008

Young Leaders Represent Bethlehem University in Britain

“We should care for today, and hope for tomorrow. This isn’t the end.”
Jacoub Sleibi – Bethlehem University Student

Imagine a good friend calling you to say, “I have a gift for you.”

Imagine a dream-come-true!

Imagine the opportunity of a lifetime being granted to you!

For ten Bethlehem University students, there is no more “dreaming” – no more “imagining” – the dream has come true!

Thanks to the leadership of Archbishop Patrick Kelly of the Archdiocese of Liverpool and financial and logistical support from the Administration of Hope University in the UK , The Tablet periodical, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Mayhew , and Mr. and Mrs. Georg Brenner, ten Bethlehem University students and three staff participated in The Big Hope Global Youth Leadership Congress in the United Kingdom in June 2008.

The Bethlehem University team joined more than 800 delegates from 45 countries at Liverpool’s Hope University.  The conference was held from June 4-11th. 

The Congress brought together students and future leaders to discuss important connections between personal integrity and public life and to consider the question of how to better develop a humane global society, which also included examinations of the individual role in realizing this goal.

The Congress included forums and keynote talks from various speakers from all parts of the globe.  Many dynamic topics were covered, including human rights, international development, education, culture, the environment and politics.

The speakers included Cherie Booth QC, wife of Tony Blair, Mary McAleese, the current president of Ireland, and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president of India. The students also took part in excursions to several sights around Liverpool.

The Bethlehem University delegation was invited by the Most Reverend Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Archdiocese of Liverpool, to participate in the Congress. Archbishop Kelly is a regular visitor to, and steadfast supporter of, Bethlehem University. Upon their arrival to Liverpool, Bethlehem University delegates were invited to breakfast at his home.  Many other good friends of Bethlehem University also attended the breakfast.

“I have been visiting Palestine for many years and a highlight of each visit is traveling to Bethlehem University and meeting the staff and students,” Archbishop Kelly said, reflecting upon his visits to Bethlehem University.  

In a later speech to the Big Hope Global Youth Congress, Archbishop Kelly said: “Bethlehem University truly shines out as a beacon of hope in the region.”

During the congress, Bethlehem University students and staff presented a session about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and talked about their experiences as students struggling to fulfill their right to education at Bethlehem University.  

“We wanted to show the world that we have hope. Our hope is that there will be peace in Palestine,” said Stephanie Nasser, a third-year Computer Information Systems student. “We had the opportunity to talk about our situation here in Palestine and to say we are somewhere on the map,” added Christina Qamar-Daoud, Secretary of the University’s English Department.

Thinking back on the trip, many students expressed delight to have been able to take part in such an important global event where they were able to encounter youth from different countries and cultures and gain important lessons from so many worthwhile learning experiences.

“One of the most important lessons I learnt from this experience was that no matter what your faith, color, or language is, we are all humans and we all want to live in peace and happiness,” said Merna Al-Azzeh, a third-year English major.

Jacoub Sleibi, a first-year Computer Information Systems student said: “It was an important chance for us to listen to different leaders and politicians from around the world and learn from their experiences. This gave us an insight to think about how to help our society.”

Participants in the Congress were divided into themed groups to discuss various topics.  Each group worked together to create a presentation which was shared with the larger group at the end.  Bethlehem students and staff took a very active part in their groups and made a great impression overall.  

Al-Mutaz Salem represented Bethlehem University in the human rights session.  Bassel Mansour and Jacoub Sleibi presented an inspiring photo exhibition using photos taken during their participation in the photography group.  Christina Qamar-Daoud was part of the Congress choir.  Dana Bannoura and Elias Kattou'a helped in building a house for Liverpool Habitat for Humanity Organization. Dina Awwad took part in the group called “Leading Evolution and Change”. At the closing ceremony of The Big Hope, Merna Al-Azzeh performed an Indian dance which included depictions of violence, hunger, military occupation and other injustices found in our societies – and concluded with a message of hope demonstrated by the unity of the diversity of peoples who believe in and trust one another (click here for a You-Tube Video of this Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2oZIanXteA.  Muhammed Karjawally and Philip Daoud were members of the “Social Entrepreneurship” group and Philip Daoud won the first prize for his work in this activity.  Razan Wazwaz and Wala' Qasieh were part of a creative arts group called Superlambbanana, in which participants were asked to paint different themes. And finally, Stephanie Nasser helped in making flowers used to decorate the Cathedral in the closing ceremony.

The students and staff kindly thank the Archdiocese of Liverpool, the Tablet Newspaper and Friends of BU in the UK: Fr. Robert Benson and Mr. and Mrs. Brenner, who helped make the trip a reality and dream-come-true, as well as helped support the staff and students with travel expenses and Congress fees. The Bethlehem University team is also very grateful to Mr. Matt Baynham, project co-ordinator for The Big Hope, and for the staff and students of Liverpool Hope University who were incredibly hospitable and welcoming.   Click here to watch a movie made by Bethlehem University students.