The An-Najah delegation included Ms. Faten Akkawi, Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences and Director of the Technical Support Unit at the Scientific Centers; Ms. Haya Ayoub, Lecturer in the Faculty of Media and Communication; and Dr. Ahmad Al-Bashtawi, Associate Professor of International Law at the Faculty of Law and Political Science. During the program, Ms. Akkawi led a practical session on “Research Funding: Opportunities, Challenges, and How to Secure Support.” Ms. Ayoub presented a research paper on Palestinian children’s access to health services, highlighting persistent gaps in health equity. Dr. Al-Bashtawi, a recipient of UCC’s Fellowship for At-Risk Researchers, showcased his research project focusing on the legal frameworks for protecting children’s rights in Palestine.

The four-day program brought together scholars and practitioners from Palestine, Europe, Africa, and Asia, including postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates, and professionals in the fields of children’s rights, public health, and law. It featured workshops on international human rights law, research ethics, publication skills, and funding strategies, as well as sessions addressing access to justice for Palestinian children and the challenges faced in conflict-affected environments. Networking and cultural exchange activities further enriched the program.

An-Najah’s participation strengthened cooperation with UCC and Palestinian partners such as Defence for Children International – Palestine and Bethlehem University, while also building the capacity of early-career researchers. The involvement contributed directly to ACoRN’s mission of empowering academics to advance children’s health and rights in contested settings. The University’s active engagement reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based research and international partnerships in support of Palestinian children’s rights.

Prof. Abdel Naser Zaid, President of An-Najah University, emphasized that this participation reflects the University’s dedication to expanding its international academic partnerships in service of Palestinian society. He stated: “Our collaboration with University College Cork and Fondation BOTNAR demonstrates An-Najah’s commitment to advancing high-quality research that addresses pressing social issues, foremost among them the right to health for Palestinian children—one of our institutional priorities.”

Prof. Munqez Shtaya, Director of the Scientific Centers, added that this cooperation represents an important step toward empowering Palestinian researchers and amplifying their contributions at both local and international levels. He noted that the University’s support for such initiatives reflects its confidence in the expertise of its academic staff and its belief that building bridges with global institutions opens new horizons for research and innovation that will positively impact the health and rights of children in Palestine.