Bethlehem University, in cooperation with the Holy Land Trust, held the closing ceremony of the “From Generation to Generation” program, with the participation of a group of Palestinian women and university students, as well as representatives from both institutions, civil society organizations, and a number of guests and community members.
The program aims to document and share the stories and experiences of Palestinian women from different generations and regions, passing them on to the younger generation through a group of Bethlehem University students. Over the course of a year, these students received extensive training in research, documentation, and storytelling skills, all within a vision to strengthen intergenerational connection and preserve the living Palestinian memory.
The ceremony included honoring 30 Palestinian women whose stories were documented through the program and the opening of a photo exhibition that showcased their inspiring faces and narratives. A bilingual (Arabic–English) booklet featuring the collected stories was also launched during the event.
The event began with a welcoming speech by Dr. Mohammad Awad, Dean of Students at Bethlehem University, who praised the vital role of Palestinian women in building society and safeguarding national identity. He emphasized the importance of programs that connect the younger generation with their cultural and human roots.
This was followed by remarks from Ms. Lara Mitri, Project Coordinator at the Holy Land Trust, who spoke about the concept and goals of the program and the organization’s role in empowering youth to become storytellers of the Palestinian experience.
Ms. Shadia Awad, a member of the Board of Directors of the Holy Land Trust, highlighted the strength of Palestinian women, saying that their power lies in their ability to transform pain into creativity and lived experience into a legacy for future generations.
Trainer Ms. Mai Jaber also shared insights on the educational journey of the participating students and the process of guiding them throughout the project.
Students Neda Haddad and Suad Asaad reflected on their personal experiences in documenting women’s stories, expressing how the project deepened their understanding of Palestinian life and taught them valuable lessons about resilience, identity, and heritage.
The event concluded with honoring the sixteen participating students and distributing certificates of appreciation in recognition of their remarkable efforts.