Education for Hope: A 2025 Youth Summit Panel on the Future of Education in a Post-Genocide Era

The first session of the Youth Summit 2025 organized by the Social Developmental Forum in partnership with the Coalition for Integrity and Accountability – AMAN, launched on the morning of Sunday, 28 September 2025. Held at the Al-Asima Restaurant in Al-Nuseirat Camp in the Middle Area of the Gaza Strip, the session was titled “Education for Hope” and featured a selection of academics, experts, and representatives from educational institutions.

Shahd Abu Za’nona from the Integrity School Program moderated the session. Attendees included Dr. Nader Abu Sharekh, Vice President of Palestine University for Continuing Education and Community Service; Hamza Abu Aisheh, the Spaces Officer from the Social Developmental Forum; Bahaa Al-Shatali, Coordinator of the Education in Emergencies group at UNICEF; and Mohammed Nassar, Project Director at the Ministry of Education.

Education, Initiatives, and Innovation

The first session of the Youth Summit addressed several key themes. The most prominent included: the reality of education amidst destruction and displacement, youth initiatives that helped create educational alternatives, the role of innovation and technology in building a safe and equitable education system, and a final theme centered on the question, “Who sets the priorities for education in the recovery phase?”

Dr. Nader Abu Sharekh affirmed that the Gaza Strip is experiencing a “real educational genocide,” stating, “97% of schools have been partially or completely damaged, and more than 87,000 university students have been psychologically affected by the closure of universities.” He added, “Nevertheless, universities have demonstrated an ability to find solutions through e-learning, despite the significant challenges in practical specializations,” emphasizing that the collective will of the community and its youth represents a beacon of hope for perseverance.

Meanwhile, Hamza Abu Aisheh discussed the educational spaces as a pioneering youth initiative, stating, “It began as a simple emergency measure to ensure the continuity of education, and over time, it evolved into a flexible alternative model despite the bombardment, displacement, and lack of funding.” He added, “Despite the security and psychological challenges, young people have proven their ability to protect our children’s right to learn,” while calling for greater support for these initiatives.

For his part, Bahaa Al-Shatli pointed to the necessity of investing in technology, stating, “Education in Gaza needs a unified digital emergency system based on resilience, equity, transparency, and sustainability.” He added, “Digitizing the Palestinian curriculum and unifying educational platforms can protect the educational process from disruption during any emergency,” clarifying that technology is no longer an option but a necessity.

From his side, Nassar emphasized the role of the Ministry of Education in shaping priorities, saying, “The Ministry is working in partnership with UNICEF and local universities to build educational recovery plans.” He stressed that these plans cannot succeed without the involvement of youth and the local community, affirming that “the next phase must be comprehensively participatory, directly reflecting the needs of students and teachers.”

High-Level Coordination and Student & Youth Inclusion

The session recommended the necessity of enhancing coordination between the Ministry of Education and all educational and community institutions to ensure the efforts and resources are aligned. It also called for expanding and supporting educational spaces as innovative youth initiatives that contribute to protecting and sustaining education under emergency conditions.

Furthermore, the session emphasized the importance of developing a unified Palestinian digital education platform for emergencies to guarantee the continuity of the educational process. This must be combined with the direct involvement of students and youth in shaping educational policies and formulating recovery plans, ensuring they reflect their needs and enhance their active participation in building a safer and more equitable educational future.

The session concluded with moderator Shahd Abu Za’nona’s affirmation that the future of education in Gaza can only be built through the concerted efforts of all governmental, community, and international parties. She indicated that youth resolve and technological innovation can form the foundation for a recovery phase that restores hope for future generations.

The Youth Summit
The Youth Summit 2025 held in partnership with the Coalition for Integrity and Accountability – AMAN, was established as an annual dialogue platform that brings together Palestinian youth with decision-makers and representatives of national and international institutions.

This year, the summit addressed pivotal issues such as the equitable distribution of aid, the future of education and work, and the role of youth in leading recovery efforts from the impacts of genocide. It emphasized that youth participation is a fundamental pathway to rebuilding a more just and accountable society.

Watch: Speech by SDF’s Director General, Mahmoud Al-Zant, launching the sixth cohort of the Youth Summit