LINKS and An-Najah National University have today (Thursday 14 March 2019) signed an agreement to collaborate on research to support the development of early childhood development (ECD) programmes for children in Palestine.
The agreement will support the inclusion of the Palestinian Child Institute at An-Najah National University as a partner country of the LINKS network. A team of researchers from LINKS, led by Professor Paul Connolly, LINKS Director, have been in Nablus in Palestine for the last three days undertaking a series of meetings with colleagues from the Palestinian Child Institute and participating in seminars and a number of site visits.
Pictured with Professor Connolly is Professor Maher Natsheh, Acting President of An-Najah National University. Looking on is Dr Ali Shaar, Director of the Palestinian Child Institute and also Dr Siobhan Fitzpatrick CBE, Chief Executive Officer of Early Years - The Organisation for Young Children, that is a supporting partner of the LINKS network.
Professor Connolly said: “We are delighted to sign this MOU with the Palestinian Child Institute at An-Najah University, and to include Palestine as one of our partner countries in the LINKS research network.
“Our team is already working with researchers and ECD specialists in six countries which have experienced ethnic conflict and divisions including: Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste and Vietnam to evaluate and develop new ECD services. This is part of our wider plan to extend our network over the coming years to include other countries affected by conflict.
“We look forward to working with colleagues at The Palestinian Child Institute and to help make a positive contribution, not just to sustainable development and economic growth, but to help build social cohesion and peace.”
Dr Ali Shaar, Director of the Palestinian Child Institute said:
“We very much welcome this opportunity to work with the LINKS research network. LINKS has established itself as one of the world leaders in the field of research into ECD and peacebuilding.
“Our children in Palestine have suffered significantly due to the ongoing conflict here. This is shown by the high levels of special needs and disabilities amongst our child population and the significant levels of developmental delay. Our work with LINKS will focus on developing high-quality and effective ECD services for children to begin to address these needs. The collaboration will also contribute to building research capacity amongst our team in the Institute.”