The Programme for Palestinian/European/Academic Co-operation in Education (PEACE Programme) was established in Jerusalem, on 1st November 1991, as an international university network, aimed at promoting co-operation between European and Palestinian universities. The Constitutive Agreement was signed by the rectors and presidents of twelve European universities (Barcelona, Coimbra, Granada, Krakow, Leiden, Leuven, Louvain, Namur, Pisa, Salamanca, Siena and Viterbo) and by their colleagues from six Palestinian universities (Al-Quds, An-Najah National, Birzeit, Bethlehem, Gaza Islamic and Hebron).

The PEACE Programme is based on the principles of the right to education and the right to culture, as proclaimed in the UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960) as well as the right to academic freedom, as defined in the Lima Declaration on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education (1988) and in the Magna Charta of European Universities (1988).

The PEACE Programme grew steadily and is now open to universities in other regions of the world, outside the Middle East. While maintaining its acronym, which was accepted at the 3rd General Assembly, 7-9 November 1996, it has been recommended to retain its name "Programme for Palestinian/European/American Co-operation in Education" at the 5th General Assembly, 24 November 2001, where "A" in PEACE stands also for African, Asian, Australian, Arab and others. Its overall objective is to develop links between Palestinian and foreign universities as a means to enhance quality relevance and efficiency of their programmes and of the services they provide to their communities, for better mutual understanding, solidarity and benefit. The activities of PEACE concern academic matters such as student and teacher mobility, staff and institutional development, undertaking of joint research, etc.

1. The General Assembly consists of one representative of each member university and of any other members, who will be accepted according to the By-Laws of the PEACE Program.

2. A simple majority constitutes the quorum for the General Assembly, to meet and take decisions. If there is no quorum at the beginning of a session, the meeting is adjourned for one hour and reconvened. The quorum will then be the simple majority of those present.

B. Meetings

 

1. The General Assembly meets once every two years. Meetings will be held in Palestine and in Europe, on a rotation basis.

2. The agenda for the General Assembly meeting will be prepared by the Steering Committee. It will include items provided independently by at least five members. Invitations for the meeting will be sent to the members at least three months in advance.

3. Upon the request of a simple majority of its members, an extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly will be convened, with at least one-month notice, according to the rules.

4. A simple majority of the members constitutes the quorum for the General Assembly.

5. For the purpose of voting, members may represent one other University besides their own. The delegation for voting must be sent in writing to the Secretary General, before the meeting.

 C. Duties

The General Assembly is the highest body of the Network. Its responsibilities and duties include:

A. Membership

1. The Steering Committee is composed of four members from Palestinian Universities, five members from European universities and one representative of American universities. The members of the Steering Committee are elected, on a personal basis, by simple majority of the General Assembly, once every four years.

2. If four or more members of the Steering Committee cease to carry their duties as members, the Steering Committee should call for an extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly to elect new members to replace them.

3. The Steering Committee members may be elected for no more than two terms consecutively.

4. The Steering Committee will elect from amongst its members a President, a Vice President, a Secretary General and a Treasurer, who constitute the Executive Bureau of the Committee.

5. The Chairperson and the Treasurer are elected from the Palestinian members and the Vice-Chairperson and the Secretary General are elected from the European/American members.

B. Meetings of the Steering Committee

1. The Steering Committee meets at least once a year. The quorum is six members. Meetings can be held via Internet, or by using other advanced communication means. The PEACE Programme Office at UNESCO will record and transmit the views, proposals and positions of all members of the Steering Committee, and should reflect them in the Report of the meeting, which should be endorsed by all members of the Committee.

2. The Executive Bureau meets twice a year, or whenever the need arises. They are to be held mainly via Internet, in order to keep costs to a minimum.

 

C. Duties

1. The Steering Committee is the administrative and executive Body of the PEACE Programme. Its responsibilities and duties include:

Honorary Members are individuals, appointed by majority vote of the PEACE Programme General Assembly, in recognition of their contribution to the development of the PEACE Programme and for their personal contribution to co-operation with Palestinian higher education institutions.


Duties

Honorary Members may:

An Office of the PEACE Programme is established at UNESCO. The Office is run by the Head of the Office and works under the direct supervision of the Steering Committee, through its Executive Bureau.

The responsibilities and duties of the Office include: