Outreach & Capacity-building For Policy-Makers

Outreach, General Education, and Capacity-Building for Policy and Law Makers

An-Najah National University stands as a vital knowledge partner for local, regional, and national policy- and law-makers in Palestine. Beyond its academic mission, the University plays a pivotal role in advancing evidence-based policy-making through outreach, upskilling, and capacity-building initiatives. These efforts empower decision-makers to address complex and evolving challenges in economics, law, governance, migration, technology, climate change, and sustainable development.

Through its multidisciplinary expertise, specialized research centers, and deep community engagement, An-Najah serves as a trusted advisor and training hub for ministries, public institutions, municipalities, and national councils. The University’s capacity-building programs are designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and policy implementation—ensuring that the latest scientific and practical insights inform national priorities and strategies.

Outreach and Public Engagement

An-Najah National University fosters active partnerships with government institutions, NGOs, and international organizations to deliver outreach and professional education programs that directly serve public policy needs.

Key Outreach Initiatives:

• Economic Development and Public Finance: Faculty experts from the Economics and Business Administration faculties provide seminars and consultations to the Ministry of National Economy, the Palestinian Monetary Authority, and local chambers of commerce on fiscal policy reform, entrepreneurship, and digital finance.

• Legal Reform and Justice: The Faculty of Law conducts continuous training for judges, lawyers, and policymakers on topics such as administrative justice, human rights, anti-corruption laws, and international humanitarian law.

• Migration and Social Policy: Through its sociology and social work departments, An-Najah collaborates with the Ministry of Social Development and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics to conduct research and training on migration trends, displacement, and refugee integration.

Capacity-Building and Professional Development

The University’s specialized centers—such as the Center for Urban and Regional Planning, Energy Research Center, Water and Environmental Studies Institute, and Center for Continuing Education—serve as key engines for professional training and skill development.

Core Training Programs Include:

• Technology and Digital Transformation: Upskilling programs for ministry staff and municipal engineers in GIS, digital governance, and data analytics for planning and service delivery.

• Climate Change and Sustainability: Capacity-building workshops organized with the Environmental Quality Authority and international partners to train officials in climate adaptation planning, renewable energy integration, and carbon footprint measurement.

• Public Health Policy: Through its Faculty of Medicine and the Health Sciences Research Unit, An-Najah delivers technical training to health administrators and policymakers on pandemic preparedness, public health data systems, and sustainable healthcare delivery.

These programs are designed with participatory methods—combining lectures, case studies, simulation exercises, and field-based learning to ensure practical outcomes that translate directly into effective governance.

Policy-Oriented Research and Evidence-Based Support

An-Najah National University provides technical expertise and research evidence that guide public policy formulation. Research findings are frequently shared with ministries and policy bodies through workshops, white papers, and national consultations.

Examples of Impact:

• Development of the National Renewable Energy Framework through collaboration with the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority (PENRA).

• Policy studies on Urban Resilience and Housing Policy conducted with the Ministry of Local Government.

• Research collaborations with the Ministry of Education to integrate climate and sustainability education into national curricula.

• Joint research with the Ministry of Agriculture on sustainable land use, organic certification, and food security.

Upskilling Policy- and Law-Makers: Building Future Readiness

An-Najah’s upskilling initiatives are tailored to enhance the competencies of current and future leaders in public service.

Thematic Focus Areas:

• Economics & Public Policy: Fiscal sustainability, digital economy, inclusive growth.

• Law & Governance: Rule of law, transparency, human rights, and international law.

• Technology & Innovation: Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and data ethics in governance.

• Migration & Displacement: Rights-based approaches to migration, refugee protection, and socio-economic integration.

• Climate Change & Environmental Management: National adaptation strategies, energy transition, and resilience planning.

Through these initiatives, the University nurtures a generation of policymakers equipped with the knowledge, analytical tools, and ethical foundations necessary to lead Palestine’s development agenda.

International Cooperation and Joint Capacity-Building

An-Najah collaborates with regional and global institutions—such as UNDP, UNESCO, GIZ, and the European Union—to design and implement capacity-building programs addressing global and local priorities. These partnerships expand Palestine’s access to international expertise while strengthening institutional capacity.

Notable Collaborative Projects:

• Climate Resilience and Sustainable Energy Policy Training with GIZ and the Energy Research Center.

• Governance and Digital Economy Workshops under the EU Erasmus+ framework.

• Migration Policy and Human Rights Training in partnership with IOM and UNRWA.

Impact and Measurable Outcomes

An-Najah’s outreach and capacity-building initiatives have generated measurable policy impacts and institutional improvements. These include:

• Enhanced government capacity in energy, environmental, and urban policy development.

• Institutionalization of data-driven decision-making across ministries.

• Integration of sustainable development principles into local and national planning.

• Expansion of professional competencies among public sector employees and policymakers.

The University continuously monitors and evaluates the outcomes of its outreach and training programs to ensure long-term effectiveness and alignment with Palestine’s national development goals.