After 17 years, DVV International's work in Palestine is coming to a forward-looking close. The closing conference held on 21 July 2026 in Ramallah honoured the achievements of DVV International and its partners, and underscored the importance of the structures created for adult learning and education (ALE) in a country marked by ongoing crises.
Around 70 current and former colleagues and representatives from ministries, municipalities, universities, and civil society came together to reflect on their joint work and reaffirm their commitment to the long-term continuation of the structures they have built.
DVV International's Acting Director, Esther Hirsch, addressed participants via video message and paid tribute to the long-standing collaboration with Palestinian partners. Regional Director for the Middle East, Barbara Hust, also expressed her sincere gratitude to all partners and colleagues who, despite the challenging conditions, have contributed with great dedication to DVV International's work in the West Bank and, until the end of 2023, in the Gaza Strip over many years.
Building sustainable structures since 2009
Since DVV International began its work in Palestine in 2009, locally led structures for ALE have been established. A key milestone was the founding of municipal adult learning and education centres in the West Bank in 2019, developed in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Education. The municipal ALE centres in Al-Yamoun, Al-Karmel, and Beit Furik have demonstrated that locally embedded ALE can make a vital contribution to strengthening communities – even, and especially, in times of crisis.
The recognition of the centres was driven in particular by the collaboration with the Palestinian Education Coalition (PEC), which has played a leading role in advancing advocacy work for ALE and the centres at the national level in recent years. Dar Al-Kalima University also played an important role as an academic partner in networking the centres and developing practice-oriented ALE programmes.
Institutional anchoring of the municipal ALE centres: A milestone for the future
At the conference, the three municipal ALE centres in the West Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise their long-term cooperation. A further MoU between the centres and the PEC strengthens exchange and joint advocacy at the national level.
A further highlight was the announcement by the Ministry of Local Government that it will integrate the community ALE centres into its ministerial structures. A committee will initiate the integration process in the coming months. The institutionalisation of the centres ensures their continued existence, strengthens their independence from changes in local politics and opens up prospects for expanding the model to further municipalities across Palestine.