Visit Highlights Longstanding Cooperation and Future Collaboration in Education, Sustainability, and Youth Empowerment
Bethlehem University welcomed a high-level delegation from the Consulate General of Belgium in Jerusalem and, Enabel the Belgian agency for international cooperation, on 22 May 2025. The visit reaffirmed the strong partnership between the institutions and explored new opportunities for collaboration in skills development, international cooperation, and youth empowerment.
The delegation was led by His Excellency Mr. Wilfried Pfeffer, Consul General of Belgium in Jerusalem, and included senior representatives from Enabel. They were received by Dr. Fadi Kattan, Executive Vice President, and Brother Jack Curran, FSC, Vice President for Advancement at Bethlehem University.
Discussions during the visit focused on expanding joint initiatives that support Palestinian youth and communities, particularly through education and capacity building. Both parties explored ways to align university programs with Enabel’s strategic focus areas in Palestine, including human rights, green and circular economy, and quality education.
Enabel is currently partnering with several Palestinian universities, playing a key role in advancing sustainable development, job creation, and digital transformation. Enable’s strategy aims to improve access to quality education, enhance youth protection, promote environmental sustainability, and support the digital economy.
Between 2009 and 2016, Belgian support to Bethlehem University and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability resulted in three impactful projects. These initiatives strengthened local cooperatives, empowered women, promoted fair trade, and improved the livelihoods of hundreds of smallholder farmers.
The visit concluded with a tour of the campus, showcasing the University’s vibrant academic environment and ongoing initiatives in sustainable development, higher education, and civic engagement.
Bethlehem University remains committed to fostering strategic partnerships that expand access to education, promote peace and social justice, and contribute to the resilience and progress of Palestinian society.
