Nancy Abou Khalil, a student from the Department of Law in the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLPS) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), was delegated by the Faculty to participate in a two-day workshop seminar titled “Youth Academy”, organized by the Jordan Center for Civic Education (JCCE) in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) - Jordan office. The workshop gathered a group of political activists, experts and youth from Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia to address political participation and partisan activity in the Middle East and Europe, human rights and youth engagement in civic participation, and policies and sustainable development on national and regional levels.
In her session, Abou Khalil discussed student political engagement and participation during the student union elections on NDU’s main campus, and how the elected body performs promoting students’ rights. She spoke in detail about her role in the elections, mentioning the challenges she faced in assuring free and fair elections and the formative role of university politics in her career.
“Participating in this workshop provided me with deeper information about the complex political realities in the Middle East,” said Abou Khalil. “In fact, this exposure gave me new insights into party politics in our area and in Germany. I hope I will be able to apply what I have learnt in my future projects as a student and as a future lawyer.”
Mona Al Alami, the director of JCCE commented on the project and on Nancy’s participation by stating: “Nancy Bou Khalil was able to capture the audience with her excellent presentation in which she talked about her experience in political participation and in belonging to one of the Lebanese parties.”
Dr. Cedar Mansour, Dean of the FLPS, stated that she is proud of the civic formation NDU gives its students in general, and that: “I am proud in particular of Nancy Abou Khalil for being able to participate in such a high caliber workshop and represent her university and country with a performance that demonstrates political and civic awareness.”
The Youth Academy program is implemented by the Jordanian Center for Civic Education. It aims, through intellectual exchange, to develop and empower young people in the fields of political party work, volunteerism, leadership and the decision-making processes. It introduces participants to their rights and duties and strengthens their commitment to better serving their community.