VIRTU-PEACE empowers young Palestinians to become active agents of change, contributing to the development of a more peaceful and prosperous future for their nation.

Virtual Interactive Reconciliation for Transforming Unity in Palestine

VIRTU-PEACE

‘Virtual Interactive Reconciliation for Transforming Unity in Palestine’ (VIRTU-PEACE) is an interactive, transnational, online learning experience about one of the most persistent causes in Palestine: Building collaborative pathways to Palestinian unity. Through Virtual Exchange, Palestinian participants from diverse geographical locations and cultural identities learn with – and from – each other by engaging in dialogue, skill-building activities, and an activating group project.

VIRTU-PEACE is a pioneering project that leverages the power of virtual exchange to promote reconciliation and peacebuilding among Palestinians.  The project will connect 1,500 Palestinian youth from diverse backgrounds, including those in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Arab 48, and the diaspora, facilitating structured online dialogues. These virtual exchanges will create safe spaces for participants to engage in constructive conversations on critical topics such as reconciliation, identity, and peacebuilding.  Participants will develop essential skills in critical thinking, media literacy, digital communication, and collaboration. To ensure the quality and impact of the exchanges, VIRTU-PEACE will train 1,000 facilitators to guide the dialogues effectively.  The project will also generate valuable research and knowledge on the use of virtual exchange for reconciliation processes, contributing to the broader fields of peacebuilding and education.    

By empowering Palestinian youth and civil society, VIRTU-PEACE aims to contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive, and democratic Palestinian society.

VIRTU-PEACE Consortium

 

This project benefits significantly from the strategic alliances and collaborative spirit of its core partners. We deeply value the expertise and commitment each partner brings, forming a robust network dedicated to achieving the project’s objectives and maximizing its impact.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena

 

Friedrich Schiller University Jena leads the Consortium and boasts a wealth of expertise in virtual exchange through its Research Center for Religion and Education. The dedicated team at the center brings extensive experience in utilizing virtual exchange as a powerful educational tool and a mechanism for fostering dialogue in intercultural communication, which they are now expertly applying to advance peace education within this project.

Hebron University

 

Hebron University (HU) stands as a committed and growing implementer of virtual exchange initiatives. Since 2018, the university has actively engaged in diverse Erasmus+ VE projects, providing students with meaningful opportunities for intercultural learning and collaboration in both Arabic and English, thereby enriching its academic offerings and fostering global competencies.

Association Soliya

 

Soliya is a leading organization deeply committed to promoting cross-cultural communication and dialogue among students globally. Notably, SOLIYA plays a crucial role in the virtual exchange field by providing comprehensive facilitation trainings, equipping educators and facilitators with the skills necessary to guide meaningful and impactful intercultural interactions online.

Contact us

Do you have questions about the project’s goals, activities, or how you can get involved? We’re here to provide you with all the details you need. Please feel free to direct your inquiries to our project team at: virtu-peace@uni-jena.de

Keen to collaborate on this project? We are actively seeking strategic partnerships to enhance our impact and reach. If you envision a potential synergy or would like to explore how we can work together, please get in touch with our Project coordinator Rawan Tahboub at rawan.tahboub@uni-jena.de or +49 3641 9-42776.