The event series „Civil society engagement in Israel/Palestine – voices against the lack of prospects” brings together people from Israel, Palestine and Berlin who are actively working towards paths out of violence and hatred in the Middle East. It provides a platform for voices that often remain in the shadows of conflict, terror and war and addresses solidarity, remembrance work, and dialogue between different societal groups. Through lectures, seminars, and open discussions at the university, we aim to create a forum to listen, learn, and collectively reflect on how we can relate to the horrific events and violent history, and explore potential actions. The goal is to broaden perspectives, foster empathy, and develop concrete approaches for a peaceful future based on solidarity.
In the first part of our event series, we will discuss with Dr. Asmaa Abusamra (UI Oslo) about sustaining education and building peace amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The initiatives to support Gaza's students during the conflict highlight two principal endeavors: the collaborative effort with the University of Oslo and OsloMet to ensure the continuity of education amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and the research endeavor in partnership with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) that addresses the specific challenges faced by students in Gaza. The objective of these initiatives is to cultivate resilience, innovation, and creative solutions that can be employed to ensure the continuity of education in challenging circumstances.
About the lecturer
Asmaa Abusamra is a researcher at the University of Oslo under a Scholars at Risk scholarship and an assistant professor in educational management at the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza. Her expertise lies in higher education reform, strategic planning, and AI-driven organizational change. She has spearheaded various initiatives aimed at supporting education during conflict, particularly focusing on Gaza, to ensure that educational opportunities remain resilient in times of crisis.
Asmaa Abusamra on Researchgate
Moderation: Bettina Völter/María do Mar Castro Varela
The public event is part of the International Social Work seminar, led by Prof. Dr. Aldo Beretta.
The series will be held in English. Questions and contributions in German are welcome. They will be translated.
Further events of the series will be published soon.