Progress of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)
Al-Quds University’s commitment to the 16th Sustainable Development Goal: ‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’ focuses on the integration of education, research, outreach, collaboration, and advocacy within the framework of the goal’s targets. The University’s initiatives are centered on promoting the construction of peaceful and inclusive societies, the delivery of justice to all, and the consolidation of effective and accountable institutions.
Peace, Justice, Governance Educational Programs:
The university’s offerings at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the fields of law, political science, and human rights are intended to provide students with the needed education on peace, justice, and governance fundamentals. Each student will learn to analyze and appreciate problematics pertaining to conflict resolution, international law, governance and human rights, and other related issues. The university prepares its students for positions as active change agents for justice and the strengthening of institutions.
Research and Knowledge Production:
Al-Quds University has become a prominent institution for the study of peace and justice, as well as organizational development. Faculty and researchers undertake investigations on the settlement of conflicts, the mediation and advocacy of human rights, access to justice, policy reform, democracy, and governance. The results of the research inform the formulation of policies grounded on evidence and address key governance and peace challenges in the region. Furthermore, this research supports community initiatives and national conversations on justice and the openness of institutions. It also assesses the scope of empathy with peace and governance challenges in the region.
Collaborations and Partnerships:
Al-Quds University has developed strong networks with government sectors, civil society, and the international community to promote initiatives in peace, justice, and institutional fortitude. Partnerships in research, policy dialogues, and training have been geared to address pressing socio-political issues and promoted institutions accountability and transparency.
Community Outreach and Capacity Building:
Al-Quds University also conducts peace, justice, and good governance educational outreach and community programs. These initiatives feature training in the law, civic participation, and conflict resolution. This training encourages community and individual participation in justice and peace advocacy. This engagement has the potential to foster the resilience of society and promote civic inclusiveness.
Advocacy and Policy Influence:
The university engages in advocacy for just governance, legal reform, and transparency within institutions. As participants in these dialogues, policy advocates, and experts from Al-Quds University, the university upholds the tenets of justice, inclusivity, and human rights during decision-making policy focuses, further strengthening the ideals of SDG 16.
Fostering a Culture of Peace and Tolerance:
The university promotes a culture of peace, serenity, and interrelational cooperation within its campus community. This is realized through the organization of seminars, intercultural initiatives, and peace workshops, which articulate the values of diversity, tolerance, and the principles of non-violent coexistence. With this approach, the university robustly advocates the philosophy of the educational and civilizational basis of enduring peace.
Access to Justice and Legal Support:
Al-Quds University strengthens its social impact by offering marginalized communities legal and justice services. Through legal clinics, community legal education, and pro bono work, the university embodies its social mission by ensuring that these justice-seeking, vulnerable members of society receive equitable and just legal services needed to advance their social standing in society.
Al-Quds University’s Global Expertise Center continues to develop the pillars of Global Peace and Justice at the regional and global scale as well as at the local and academic institutional level as depicted through the positive impact of the compliance function throughout the academic and organizational framework of the university.
Al-Quds University’s Global Expertise Center continues to develop the pillars of Global Peace and Justice at the regional and global scale as well as at the local and academic institutional level as depicted through the positive impact of the compliance function throughout the academic and organizational framework of the university. The globalization and the adoption of environmental initiatives by various countries make the implementation of these agreements more efficient and easier thus providing the region the basis to increase the enforcement of these agreements and address the internationally set environmental goals. Higher and more effective institutional enforcement of these multilateral environmental agreements is easier to achieve through the strengthening of the rule of law at the regional and global scale.
Al-Quds University is devoted to developing peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, ensuring access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. The university contributes to SDG 16 through various means:
Education in Law, Political Science, and Human Rights: Al-Quds University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in law, political science, and human rights, equipping students to grasp and tackle problems in peace, justice, and strong institutions. The programs delve into conflict resolution, international law, and governance, and prepare students for diverse career paths.
Research on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The university undertakes research concerning peace, justice, and strong institutions, including scholarship on conflict resolution, access to justice, governance, and human rights. Such research deepens the understanding of these issues and informs evidence-based policy and strategic options.
Collaboration with Local and Global Stakeholders: Al-Quds University partners with local and international organizations and institutions to address issues of peace, justice, and strong institutions. The university offers technical support to these stakeholders in developing and executing solutions through collaborative research, joint workshops, and robust mechanisms for the exchange of ideas.
Community Outreach and Capacity Building: Al-Quds University readily participates in community outreach initiatives that foster the community’s understanding of peace, justice, and the promotion of strong institutions. These initiatives help train community members on conflict resolution, justice, and the governance including action on the 16th Sustainable Development Goal, thus empowerment the community positively strengthens outreach efforts.
Advocacy and Policy Development: Al-Quds University advocates and serves the necessary outreach as an integration and support of initiatives that reinforce the building of peace and justice on strong institutions at the community and even global levels.
Promoting a Culture of Peace and Tolerance on Campus: Al-Quds as an institution of higher learning promotes an equitable respectful environment that encourages the cultivation of a harmonious community spirit on campus as peace, patience, and collaboration within the members of the university community is necessary. This is achieved through activities organized in inter and intra university conflict seminars where the resolution of conflicts is peacefully addressed.
Supporting Access to Justice and Legal Services: Al-Quds University, through the support of legislative clinics, civil society partnerships, and community advocacy targeted at the marginalized and disadvantaged members of society to access justice through legal support and advocacy which promotes the value of justice in the society and as a result the uphold legal advocacy partnerships are well sustained.
To meet this goal, the university plans to:
- Target the reduction of all forms of violence within the campus and the surrounding community.
- Strengthen the enforcement of the rule of law within the university and guarantee justice for all.
- Work towards the complete eradication of all forms of corruption and bribery.
- Ensure decision-making at every tier is responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative.
- Adopt and companion non-discriminatory practices and policies within the university to achieve sustainable development.
- Facilitate the exercise of the right to access information, and the right to and freedom of expression as enshrined in national laws and policies and global treaties.
- Encourage the establishment of responsible, accountable, and transparent governance structures in the university.
- Provide outreach, education, upskilling, and capacity building for policymakers and lawmakers as well as other relevant stakeholders in the areas of economics, law, technology, climate change, and other relevant areas.
- Undertake policy-based collaborations with research and other government ministries.
To summarize, Al-Quds University is committed to achieving SDG 16 through education, research, collaboration with other global and local partners, community outreach and capacity building, advocacy, and policy development, fostering a culture of peace.