Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Even though the compassion and a strong moral compass is essential to every democratic society. Yet, persecution, injustice and abuse still run rampant and is tearing at the very fabric of civilization. We must ensure that we have strong institutions, global standards of justice, and a commitment to peace everywhere. Strengthened institutions, rule of law and enforcement contribute to support the implementation of multi-lateral
environmental agreements and progress towards internationally agreed global environmental goals.
Al-Quds University is committed to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing 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, providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and address issues related to peace, justice, and strong institutions. These programs focus on topics such as conflict resolution, international law, and good governance, preparing students for careers in various sectors.
Research on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The university conducts research on issues related to peace, justice, and strong institutions, including studies on conflict resolution, access to justice, governance, and human rights. This research helps advance the understanding of these issues and provides valuable insights for evidence-based policies and strategies.
Collaboration with Local and Global Stakeholders: Al-Quds University works with organizations, and international institutions, to address challenges related to peace, justice, and strong institutions. Through joint research projects, workshops, and knowledge sharing, the university provides technical assistance and support to help these stakeholders develop and implement solutions.
Community Outreach and Capacity Building: Al-Quds University actively engages in community outreach programs that promote awareness about peace, justice, and strong institutions. These initiatives involve providing education and training to local communities on topics such as conflict resolution, access to justice, and good governance, empowering them to take action and contribute to the achievement of SDG 16.
Advocacy and Policy Development: Al-Quds University plays a key role in advocating for policies and strategies that promote peace, justice, and strong institutions at local, national, and international levels.
Promoting a Culture of Peace and Tolerance on Campus: The university is committed to fostering a culture of peace and tolerance on campus, encouraging dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. This includes organizing events, workshops, and seminars that promote mutual understanding, respect, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Supporting Access to Justice and Legal Services: Al-Quds University supports access to justice and legal services for vulnerable and marginalized populations through initiatives such as legal clinics, pro bono legal services, and partnerships with civil society organizations. These efforts help ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to justice and legal representation.
briefly, the university paln to meet this goal by:
-
- Significantly reduce all forms of violence in the campus and community.
-
- Promote the rule of law at the university level and ensure equal access to justice for all.
-
- Substantially end corruption and bribery in all their forms.
-
- Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
-
- Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies in the university for sustainable development.
-
- Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
-
- Develop effective, accountable and transparent committees and faculties.
-
- provide outreach, general education, upskilling and capacity-building to policy- and lawmakers on relevant topics e.g. economics, law, technology, climate change
-
- undertake policy-focused research in collaboration with government departments
In summary, Al-Quds University is dedicated to achieving SDG 16 through a comprehensive approach that includes education, research, collaboration with local and global stakeholders, community outreach and capacity building, advocacy and policy development, promoting a culture of peace and tolerance on campus, and supporting access to justice and legal services. By promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, the university plays a vital role in fostering sustainable development, social equity, and overall well-being.
SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) Progress:
Al-Quds University’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which focuses on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, is evident through its diverse range of educational programs, research initiatives, collaborations, community outreach, and advocacy efforts.
Educational Programs in Law, Political Science, and Human Rights: The university offers robust undergraduate and graduate programs in law, political science, and human rights. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and address issues related to peace, justice, and strong institutions. The curriculum, focusing on topics like conflict resolution, international law, and good governance, prepares students for careers that contribute to the development of peaceful, just, and strong societal structures.
Research Contributions: Al-Quds University is actively involved in research on peace, justice, and strong institutions. This includes studies on conflict resolution, access to justice, governance, and human rights. Such research is pivotal in advancing the understanding of these critical issues and in providing insights for formulating evidence-based policies and strategies. This research component is crucial for developing a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the challenges and solutions in these areas.
Collaboration with Stakeholders: The university collaborates with various organizations and international institutions to tackle challenges related to peace, justice, and strong institutions. These collaborative efforts, including joint research projects and workshops, allow the university to offer technical assistance and support in developing and implementing solutions to these complex issues.
Community Outreach and Capacity Building: Engaging with the wider community, Al-Quds University conducts outreach programs that raise awareness about peace, justice, and strong institutions. These programs, providing education and training on conflict resolution, access to justice, and good governance, empower local communities to take action and contribute to the achievement of SDG 16. This community involvement is key in fostering a more informed and proactive society in matters of peace and justice.
Advocacy and Policy Development: The university also plays a critical role in advocating for policies and strategies that support peace, justice, and strong institutions at various levels. This advocacy work is vital for influencing policy and decision-making processes, ensuring they align with the goals of SDG 16.
Fostering a Culture of Peace and Tolerance: On its campus, Al-Quds University commits to fostering a culture of peace and tolerance, encouraging dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among diverse groups. By organizing events and workshops that promote mutual understanding and peaceful conflict resolution, the university contributes significantly to building a more tolerant and peaceful society.
Supporting Access to Justice and Legal Services: The university also supports access to justice and legal services, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized populations. Initiatives like legal clinics and pro bono legal services are crucial in ensuring that justice is accessible to all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.