EJ-ARC 2025 Conference (East Jerusalem Research Conference)

About the Conference
Manbat successfully launched its inaugural East Jerusalem Annual Research Conference (EJ-ARC) in Jerusalem in September 2024. The event brought together over 130 researchers, professionals from various fields, and representatives from local and international NGOs. The primary aim was to foster research collaboration and develop practical solutions to strengthen civil society in Jerusalem.

Conference Themes and Presentations

Shaping the City Through Planning

• Arch. Maliha Zugayar | Urban Challenges in Kafr Aqab: Between population growth and vertical informal housing 

Arch. Maliha Zugayar addressed the urban development challenges in Kafr Aqab, focusing on infrastructure issues and the population growth resulting from the Separation Wall. She examined the phenomenon and its influencing factors, including the geopolitical context, workforce availability, and the high demand for housing. Additionally, she presented an overview of buildings and infrastructure concerns within Kafr Aqab, specifically regarding water supply, sewage systems, and road conditions. 

• Arch.Maisa Shweiki, The Right to Jerusalem: How open spaces are used to deprive Jerusalemites rights: Al-Issawiya as a case study 

Arch. Maisa Shweiki presented a study on the development of Jerusalem from the late Ottoman period to the present, offering a comparative analysis of ancient and modern planning practices. She also outlined the current realities regarding permits in East Jerusalem.

• Arch. Tharaa Kirresh – Placemaking Impact Assessmentin context of “Conflict”: A Case Study of Rockefeller Park/Karam al-Khalili in Jerusalem/Al-Quds 

Arch. Tharaa Kirresh presented how to measure the impact of public space development projects, defining “placemaking” as a tool to transform public space from a space to a place, noting the need to transform public spaces in Jerusalem into areas that reflect the cultural identity of the Palestinian community, and evaluate the impact of such projects. 

• Arch. Alaa Shweiki – The map as a weapon of identity formation and its impact on the spatial awareness of Palestinians in Al 

Wad Street in the OldCity of Jerusalem Arch. Alaa Shweiki addressed the role of maps in shaping the mental mapping of the population, examining the effects of occupation on this process. She discussed how maps are utilised as instruments of power by the Israeli occupation and their subsequent impact on the population’s mental representation of their environment.

Beyond the Clinic: Community Health Panel

• Dr. Nour Abdul Hadi Shahbari, Director of the Executive Authority for Reducing Health Gaps intheArabCommunity, Ministry of Health.

 Dr. Nour Abdelhadi Shahbari presented strategies to address the gaps in health services for children in Jerusalem, highlighting data on health and early childhood services and emphasising the need to enhance the quality of services provided in clinics and hospitals. Additionally, discussions included the ministry’s reports on Jerusalem and its objectives related to policy planning and monitoring disparities among different social groups

• Alaa Dweik, Manager of the Arab Community Department In the Early Childhood and Health Department, JerusalemMunicipality

 Alaa Dweik referred to the importance of early childhood for children’s cognitive, linguistic, and pAlaa Dweik emphasised the critical role of early childhood in shaping children’s cognitive, linguistic, and physical development. She highlighted the challenges faced by preschool aged children during this formative period, including poverty and early marriage, and reviewed the available intervention and treatment programs in Jerusalem. Additionally, Alaa discussed the objectives of the Early Childhood Department within the municipality, which focus on promoting proper development and engaging parents in recognising the importance of early childhood care for fostering children’s overall growth. 

• Mays Abu Gharbia – Physiotherapist, entrepreneur, director, and owner of Fizik Center and Academy 

Mays Abu Gharbia, a physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal disorders, community activist, and entrepreneur, highlighted the importance of providing comprehensive health services. She emphasised integrating biological, psychological, social, and economic aspects into healthcare delivery. She also emphasised the importance of cooperation between different disciplines to enhance the quality of health care provided to the patients and residents in general.

Education as a Tool for Social Change

• Fatmeh Hammad | Between Uncertainty and Living as Suspects: The Impact of Checkpoints on Palestinian Students of the Israeli Academic Institutions 

Fatmeh Hammad presented a study on the impact of Israeli checkpoints on Palestinian students attending Israeli universities. She detailed the implications of these checkpoints for the educational process and national identity, noting that they serve as a daily reminder of the restrictions imposed on life and movement. 

• Alexandra Shahwan | The Language of the Other: Palestinians Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language inPalestinianSchools inEast Jerusalem.

Alexandra Shahwan highlighted the challenges teachers face in instructing Hebrew as a second language in Palestinian schools in East Jerusalem. She focused on the impact of the political conflict on the learning process, discussing how socio-political tensions create barriers that affect both teaching effectiveness and student engagement. She emphasised the need for culturally responsive teaching strategies to address Palestinian unique students’

• Majd Sidawi | On the Margins of the City: Community, Citizenship, andSpace in BeitSafafa 

Majd Sidawi presented his study on the social and spatial transformations in Beit Safafa, examining the impact of geographical division on residents’ lives. Utilising twelve narratives from a diverse group of individuals, he sought to illuminate the community dynamics and the effects of these transformations on daily life.

AN OPEN MIC ON EDUCATION With Dr.Abeer Shqirat

• Dr. Abeer Shqirat | Open Mic Session on Education

The session with Dr. Abeer Shqirat focused on a holistic approach to education, emphasising the importance of developing emotional intelligence in both students and teachers. She highlighted how holistic education equips students to face the challenges of modern society and fosters the development of their skills across multiple levels. 

Research Posters & Networking Sessions

The conference included a research poster exhibition covering various topics, focusing on different social and planning aspects. This exhibition provided an open platform for networking and collaboration.

An exhibition showcased research posters on:

• • Recommended strategies for decreasing students drop out of Jerusalem High School  – Islam Jaber
  • Hydropolis: Liquid Prospects for Mt. Olives – Arch. Maisa Shweiki & Arch. Rawan Shalaldeh
  • The Effects of Culture and Gender on Occupational Therapy Practice for Adults:From Palestinian Therapists’ Perspective- Lama Nammoura

• The evaluation of carpooling in East Jerusalem schools- Eng. Mira Afaneh

• Affordable housing for Palestinians in Beit Hanina, Jerusalem- Arch. Murad Abu Diab & Arch. Ismail Salah
• Transformation in the meaning of amulets in Palestinian culture from 1900 to the present- Dalal Odeh
• Exploring belonging at RockefellerPark/Karm Al- Khalili in Jerusalem /Al-Quds– Arch. Tharaa Kirresh

These sessions created space for open dialogue and collaboration among researchers.

Future Initiatives

In the future, Manbat aims to gradually introduce a third pillar focused on strengthening networks among professionals and organisations to foster positive change within our communities. This initiative will facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and resource mobilisation, ultimately enhancing the capacity of stakeholders to address pressing social issues. By building these connections, Manbat seeks to create a more integrated approach to community development that leverages the expertise and strengths of various entities for a more significant impact.

Strategic Recommendations

• Encourage the involvement of postgraduate students in the conference by providing opportunities for them to present their research.
• Foster local community engagement by organising workshops and interactive discussion groups that address key issues facing Jerusalem.
• Develop partnerships with local and international organisations to translate research findings into practical applications.
• Establish a digital platform for researchers to facilitate communication and information exchange, while remaining informed about technological advancements.

Conference led and organised by:

• Mina Hashimeh

• Mayar Fawaka
• Fatina Husseini
• Hiba Salah-al-Deen Aselah
• Arch. Tharaa Kirresh

Research Studies 

• Dr. Abeer Shqirat : Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Holistic Approach Based on Social-Emotional Learning in Developing Teachers’ Professional Competencies and Students’ Learning Motivation in Jerusalem