Feminist Leadership School Contributes to Preparing Leaders for Democratic and Social Change: Al-Quds Bard College and the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development Sign Cooperation Agreement to Launch the “Feminist Leadership School”

As part of the project “Strengthening the Capacities of Palestinian Civil Society Organizations in Democratic Participation, Dialogue, and Social Cohesion,” funded by the European Union through Expertise France.
Ramallah | June 21, 2026

In a step that reflects the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and civil society organizations in advancing the values of justice and civic engagement, Al-Quds Bard College, represented by Dr. Amneh Bardan, Acting Dean of the College, and the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD), represented by Ms. Amal Khreisheh, signed a cooperation agreement on Sunday, June 21, 2026, to launch the Feminist Leadership School.

The initiative is implemented within the framework of the project “Strengthening the Capacities of Palestinian Civil Society Organizations in Democratic Participation, Dialogue, and Social Cohesion,” funded by the European Union through the French agency for international technical cooperation, Expertise France.
This agreement is rooted in a shared vision that building a more just and participatory society requires investing in the potential of women and youth and expanding opportunities for learning, leadership development, and civic engagement. The initiative seeks to promote active citizenship, democratic participation, social justice, and the capacity to generate positive social impact. It also aims to contribute to the development of a new generation of feminist and community leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to take initiative and drive change at various levels.

The Feminist Leadership School consists of a 90-hour training program delivered over a period of three months and brings together more than 20 participants. The curriculum focuses on advanced leadership development, social responsibility, democratic participation, dialogue, advocacy, and community engagement. It is designed to empower participants to address contemporary challenges, including those arising from the current political and social context, while strengthening their resilience, initiative, and public engagement.

The program forms part of a broader effort to prepare a new generation of women and youth leaders capable of creating positive and sustainable change within Palestinian society. Through promoting the values of equality, human dignity, non-discrimination, pluralism, and the right to participate in public life, the initiative also provides a safe and supportive space for developing critical awareness and leadership capacities, thereby strengthening the presence and influence of women and youth within both civic and public spheres.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Amneh Bardan emphasized that meaningful and lasting change can only be achieved through genuine partnerships with society. She highlighted the essential role of academic institutions in connecting knowledge with community engagement and in supporting initiatives that cultivate leaders capable of advancing democratic participation and social justice.

For her part, Ms. Amal Khreisheh, General Director of the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development, expressed her hope that the agreement would establish a sustainable strategic partnership between academia and Palestinian civil society. She noted that such cooperation can contribute significantly to democratic transformation efforts while strengthening the role of women and youth as key actors in building a more equitable and participatory society.

Meanwhile, Mr. Samhan Samhan, Programs Director at the Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development, described the agreement as an important milestone in the partnership with Al-Quds Bard College at Al-Quds University. He noted that the initiative aims to train and empower women and youth in issues of social responsibility and democratic participation, while expanding democratic spaces within Palestinian civil society and fostering an environment that is more responsive to the needs of women and young people and more committed to the values of justice and human rights.

The Feminist Leadership School embodies an approach that connects training with practical impact. Its role extends beyond developing participants’ individual skills to strengthening their ability to transform knowledge into initiatives, positions, and tangible contributions to public life. In doing so, it reinforces the role of women and youth as leaders of democratic and social change.

The project “Strengthening the Capacities of Palestinian Civil Society Organizations in Democratic Participation, Dialogue, and Social Cohesion” seeks to empower Palestinian civil society organizations and civic actors, particularly women and youth, to play a more influential role in shaping public policies and decision-making processes, thereby contributing to the development of a more just, participatory, and cohesive society.

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