A Neutral Platform and Safe Space for Political Stakeholders to Discuss Challenges Frankly
An-Najah National University provides a neutral, inclusive and safe space where political, governmental, civil-society, religious and academic stakeholders come together to discuss, openly and frankly, the challenges facing Palestinian society: governance, elections, the rule of law, human rights, anti-corruption, civil peace and the impact of occupation. The University is not aligned with any political party or faction, and it opens its platforms to all stakeholders on the basis of academic freedom, mutual respect and evidence-based debate.
Our Commitment to Neutral and Safe Dialogue
This commitment is grounded in the University's Academic and Research Freedom Policy (effective December 2018, last reviewed June 2025). The policy commits the University to "open inquiry, debate and critical thinking" with respect for differing views, allows academics to take part in public forums and policy debates without prior institutional approval, and states that "no individual shall be subject to reprisal or discrimination" for exercising academic freedom, including on grounds of political opinion. Complaints are handled by an Academic Freedom Committee that reports to the University Council.
Dialogue events hosted by the University are guided by the following principles:
-
Neutral moderation: sessions are chaired by faculty members who do not represent any of the participating parties.
-
Balanced participation: speakers from different institutions and perspectives are invited and given equal opportunity to present their views.
-
Open discussion: events include interactive question-and-answer sessions open to students, staff and community members.
-
Safety and respect: participants can express their views freely and respectfully, without fear of reprisal.
-
Non-partisanship: University venues, media and resources are not used to promote any political party.
Dialogue with Public and Official Institutions
The University regularly hosts national institutions to discuss public policy openly with students and academics.
-
Central Elections Commission (April 2026): The Faculty of Law and Political Science hosted the director of the Commission's Nablus district office for a public lecture on local elections in Palestine. The lecture covered the electoral system, amendments to the elections law and the women's quota, and ended with an open question-and-answer session with students. Read more
-
Elections and civil liberties (May 2025): A public lecture on elections, organized together with the Central Elections Commission and the Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights (Hurryyat). Read more
-
Justice sector (2026): The University hosted the Attorney General, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Public Prosecution, and met with the Supreme Judicial Council to develop joint cooperation. Attorney General visit | Supreme Judicial Council
-
Anti-Corruption Commission: Students in the Master's program in Governance and Anti-Corruption attend lectures and field visits with the Commission. Read more
Dialogue with Civil Society
The University serves as a meeting point where academics and civil-society organizations discuss rights, justice and governance.
-
Musawa – Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession: a roundtable on teaching professional codes of conduct (January 2026) and a dialogue meeting on their role in promoting justice (May 2026). Roundtable | Dialogue meeting
-
SHAMS – Human Rights and Democracy Media Center (November 2025): a seminar on integrity, transparency and anti-corruption standards. Read more
-
National Forum on Juvenile Justice (January 2026): hosted with Defense for Children International – Palestine and University College Cork, Ireland. Read more
-
Land Research Center (April 2026): a scientific forum on the impact of military orders on land ownership in Palestine. Read more
-
Freedom of Opinion and Expression (August 2026): an awareness meeting linking freedom of expression to the Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
Mediation and Conflict Resolution
The University builds practical skills for constructive dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
-
ACT Foundation for Conflict Resolution (November 2025): a simulated mediation session under a joint memorandum of understanding. Read more
-
Third Mediation Conference in Palestine (October 2026): participation of the Faculty of Law and Political Science. Read more
Interfaith Dialogue for Civil Peace and Social Cohesion
The An-Najah Center for Religious Studies (ANCERS), based in the Faculty of Shari'ah, provides a safe space where Muslim, Christian and Samaritan communities, together with academics and students, can discuss challenges to civil peace, including intolerance, citizenship and justice. Its work forms part of the project "Promoting Peace, Justice and Resilience in Palestine."
-
Workshop with Bethlehem Bible College (February 2026): a joint academic workshop on religious and sectarian intolerance and its impact on civil peace, followed by an interactive discussion between faculty and students from both institutions. Read more
-
Second meeting in the series on interfaith dialogue and civil peace (April 2026): An-Najah hosted a delegation from Bethlehem Bible College for presentations and student dialogue circles on citizenship, justice, dialogue and accepting pluralism. Read more
-
Engagement with religious communities: participation in the Second Christian–Islamic Meeting, "Coexistence: Past, Present and Future – The Only Option," and a Center-organized visit to the Samaritan community.
Student Debates and Civic Participation
Students are encouraged to present and defend different viewpoints in structured, respectful settings.
-
Academic debates on whether the legal framework can keep pace with sustainable development (January 2026), and within the Political Science and State Management program (December 2025). Debate 1 | Debate 2
-
Elected Student Council: The Student Council is elected annually by the student body through direct, secret ballot, and its 81-member General Assembly is made up of representatives of all student blocs that win seats in the elections. Members are elected by students alone, without university appointment, and one of the Council's stated objectives is "expressing opinions through democratic dialogue." The Deanship of Student Affairs provides administrative support without directing the Council's decisions. Student Council
International Academic Dialogue
-
Roundtable with Professor Nathan J. Brown, George Washington University (December 2025): a discussion with faculty members on the current international and regional situation and its political and legal implications. Read more
-
Webinar on Palestinian Advocacy in the United States with international speakers. Read more
UNESCO Chair for Democracy, Human Rights and Peace
Established at An-Najah in 1997 under UNESCO's UNITWIN program, the UNESCO Chair for Democracy, Human Rights and Peace gives the University a long-standing institutional framework for promoting democratic values, human rights and peaceful dialogue.
University Media as an Open Platform
An-Najah TV and An-Najah Radio extend the University's dialogue beyond the campus, broadcasting programs that host guests from different political, social and professional backgrounds.