The German Association for Adult Education, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education conclude the activities of the Adult Education Conference in Palestine

Ramallah - The International Cooperation Foundation of the German 
Association for Adult Education, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, concluded an adult education conference in Palestine entitled "Paths to the Future: What Education Are We Talking About? With the wide participation of government ministries, international organizations, civil society organizations, Palestinian universities and a number of adults interested in adult education, which was held at the Carmel Hotel in Ramallah and through the live video with the Gaza District’s conference.

Mr. Nazarit Nazaritian, Middle East Regional Director of the German Association for Adult Education, welcomed the participants from Ramallah and Gaza, pointing out the importance of adult education that makes a positive difference in the lives of communities by helping others. Mr. Nazaritian also stated That the German Association for Adult Education is working to achieve a sustainable model for adult education in Palestine and to improve the quality of this education.

Dr. Rachel Falls - Deputy Director of Development Cooperation, Federal Representative Office of the Federal Republic of Palestine - pointed on the German experience in the field of adult education, which has specialized centers in various activities, including civic education, vocational training and etc. She also was stressing that adult education in Germany is a public responsibility to ensure the provision of quality services in this area, Between the German Foundation for Adult Education and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

Dr. Othman Saleh - Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education – talked about the importance of this conference, which reflects the ministry's keenness to provide education for all, and provide the best services in the field of adult education, pointing out that the ministry's strategic plan for the education sector gave the subject of adult education a great interest and devoted a whole program within the framework of 7 programs included in its plan, To create an integrated system for adult education so that Palestinians can have the skills that support them in their contribution to social and economic development and to be active actors. He also said: “The ministry's emphasis that the learner is the center of the educational process.”

The opening session of the conference was organized by the human rights activist in the field of advocacy for persons with disabilities. Shatha Abu Sorour, which included two interventions. One was by the Director of the Center for Continuing Education at Birzeit University. Marwan Tarazi and the Dean of Continuing Education at Gaza University Dr. Maie Naief.

The first part of the conference included the discussion of adult education and lifelong learning: how to strengthen and activate the lifelong learning and adult education strategy in Palestine. The head of the non-formal education department at the Ministry of Education, Ghadeer Fnoun, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Al Quds Open University Mohammed Abu Mailek, Coordinator of the Development Studies Program at Birzeit University in Gaza. Ghassan Abu Hatab, and the workshops of the second phase of the conference discussed the subject of training needs and professional development: How can the conditions of the general framework incubator for professional development in adult education? Wahid Jubran, Director of Training and Business Development Department, Ramallah and Al-Bireh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ayman al-Mimi, lecturer at the Technical College of Palestine - Deir al-Balah d. Hossam Abou Shawish.

The third phase of the conference included discussion on adult education centers and community initiatives based on the principle of lifelong learning: how can community initiatives and adult education initiatives be promoted? The Leader of the Education Team of the Norwegian Refugee Council Abla Assaf, and coordinator of projects in the Palestinian office of the German Association for Adult Education in Ramallah. Rola Khayat, member of the Local Committee for Adult Education Ali Barghouth. The final session of the conference, entitled "Pathways to the Future in Adult Education", included the results of the workshops.

At the end of the conference, final interventions were presented by the Director General of Public Education at the Ministry of Education. Ayoub Alian a. Shatha Abu Sorour, Director of the Eastern Region and the Middle East region at the Main Office of the German Society in Bonn, Germany. Katrin Denis, Director of the Palestinian Bureau Ola Issa.