The Memorandum of Understanding reflects the shared vision of both institutions to establish a sustainable partnership that bridges academic knowledge with real-world practice, enabling law students to develop advanced professional skills in conflict management, arbitration, and legal mediation.

As part of the MoU’s implementation, the Legal Clinic at the Faculty of Law and Political Science organized a mock mediation session on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in cooperation with ACT for Conflict Resolution. The session sought to promote a culture of mediation as an effective and peaceful method of resolving disputes, while offering law students a hands-on learning experience in a simulated legal environment reflective of the Palestinian context.

The session was opened by Dr. Noor Adas, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science, who welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of mediation as a peaceful and fair mechanism for dispute settlement. She highlighted the role of the Legal Clinic in empowering students with practical legal skills that respond to community needs, and stressed the significance of the continued partnership with ACT for Conflict Resolution in fostering experiential legal education and promoting a culture of justice and dialogue.

The event brought together students from the Legal Clinic and the Faculty of Law, along with a team from the Sawasiya III Programme, creating a rich and collaborative environment that bridged academic learning with practical application a true reflection of the university’s commitment to community engagement and justice initiatives.

Ms. Safa Balawi, Director of the Legal Clinic, stated that this session is part of the joint vision between the university and ACT to prepare a new generation of law graduates equipped to manage disputes through dialogue and understanding. She added that such simulated experiences play a vital role in enhancing students’ practical skills and promoting a learning-by-doing approach.

The session was conducted by Mr. Mohammad Hadia, Mr. Mohammad Al-Atrash, Ms. Alaa Afana, Ms. Amina Ramadan, and Ms. Lama Al-Khatib, who presented a realistic mediation simulation, demonstrating the procedural steps of mediation and the mediator’s role in facilitating mutual understanding between parties.

In his remarks, Mr. Mohammad Hadia, Executive Director of ACT for Conflict Resolution, affirmed that mediation is one of the cornerstones of modern justice systems. He described the collaboration with An-Najah National University as an inspiring model of partnership between academia and civil society, emphasizing that training law students in mediation tools represents an investment in community justice and responsible legal practice.

As Dr. Naeem Salameh, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, noted, the university continuously strives to strengthen the integration of practical and applied components within its academic programs, thereby enhancing students’ competencies and preparing them to enter the labor market effectively. He also emphasized the university’s commitment to building active partnerships with community institutions in support of the educational process and to promote the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

Dr. Salameh further stressed the importance of fostering a culture of alternative dispute resolution, given its vital role in alleviating the burden on courts and reinforcing the concept of restorative justice founded on dialogue and mutual understanding between disputing parties.

This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by promoting peaceful conflict resolution and dialogue; Goal 4 (Quality Education) through enhancing practical legal skills; and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) by ensuring equitable participation of women in mediation activities.

The session was implemented under the framework of cooperation between the Legal Clinic and ACT for Conflict Resolution as part of the Sawasiya III Joint Programme, a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and UNICEF. The programme aims to enhance equal access to justice in Palestine and to build a society grounded in peace, fairness, and inclusion by supporting academic and community based initiatives in the field of alternative dispute resolution.