Founder, President, and CEO of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation and Know Thy Heritage Foundation (KTH) Rateb Rabie visited Birzeit University and met with Birzeit University President Abdullatif Abuhijleh to look into prospects for cooperation.

Rabie was accompanied by the Program Coordinator of KTH Delegation Nicolas Kawas, who attended the meeting with Abuhijleh and the Officer of External Academic Relations Amir Khalil.

Both parties discussed organizing the Seventh Annual Palestinian Diaspora Conference, to be held at Birzeit University’s Palestine and Arabic Studies Program next Saturday, July 14, 2018. Abuhijleh and Rabie hope that the conference will achieve its objectives, which focus on cementing the networks of diaspora Palestinians, reviving the momentum among diaspora networks in preparation for the growth and strengthening of diaspora initiatives, and giving the participants a valuable experience in examining important issues to Palestinians, including those in diaspora.

Abuhijleh and Rabie discussed how the HCEF and KTH can integrate their efforts to organize an array of events and fundraising activities in the United States. Such events engage Birzeit University more among the academic community in the States, and help the university continue its academic mission by providing scholarships to students, as well as state-of- the art buildings and infrastructure.

President Abuhijleh stressed the importance of hosting such delegations in Palestine, and in its higher education institutions. “It is vital for our people in the diaspora to learn about our accomplishments and achievements. Despite the hurdles, we continue in our academic mission and we are determined to continue having international faculty and students on our campus.”

Rabie talked about the work of the two foundations he established and now chairs. The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation and Know Thy Heritage reconnect Palestinians in the diaspora with their homeland. “Through a collective effort of all Palestinian communities around the world, we can create change in the path of the Palestinian cause. We need to build a network of advocates who are working collaboratively for the unification of Palestinians everywhere, who are able to promote peace and justice for years to come.”

For more information visit www.hcef.org and www.kthps.org