Meet the 2020-21 Fellows in Conflict and Peace: Rana Khoury

Hi! My name is Rana Khoury. I was born and raised in Bethlehem, Palestine but emigrated for few years to the US. I returned back to Palestine in 1994 as I was inspired by a vision that was translated into what is today the Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts and Culture, where I serve as the Vice President for Development and Outreach. Part of my work involves overseeing the growth of the community outreach initiatives, including the civic engagement program.

In my 26 years of working in Palestine, I noticed a steady decline of activism among young people; they have become increasingly disengaged from civic life. This is a serious concern as Palestine’s young people constitute its majority and future leaders.

I see that the decline is partly the result of the weakening of the traditional incubators for activism; one of those is the institutions of higher education. My project seeks to revive the role of Palestinian universities as nurturing grounds for promoting leadership by developing a civic engagement curriculum for Palestinian higher education that provides youth with a transformative vision to forge a more positive future.

I am really happy and fortunate to join the Religion, Conflict and Peace Initiative as a fellow. I am receiving unparalleled support from world-renowned academicians and experts in the field. I am also given access to cutting-edge research and resources as I situate the curriculum within a theoretical framework that draws strongly upon religion, culture and the arts to facilitate dialogue, reflection, and change. Furthermore, I have the opportunity to be part of a community of fellows who are working on similar issues.

When fully implemented, I hope the proposed curriculum will inspire and equip an average of 200,000 students annually – an immense collective power. This ambitious use of energy, talents and potential will by itself constitute a shift within Palestinian society, one that is itself no less than the emergence of a new Palestine.