Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs

PASSIA building in Jerusalem

The Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs (PASSIA) was founded in Jerusalem in March 1987 by Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadiand a group of Palestinian academics and intellectuals. PASSIA is not affiliated with any government, political party or or­ganization, and maintains a completely independent financial and legal inde­pendent status.

PASSIA deals with the various national, Arab and international aspects of the Palestinian Ques­tion through its academic Research Studies Program, dialogue and publication. In pursuing this task, PASSIA strives to ensure that research undertaken under its auspices be specialized, sci­entific and objective, and that its symposia and workshops be open, self-critical and conducted in a spirit of harmony and cooperation.

A major component of PASSIA’s activities is its Roundtable Meetings Program, whereby dia­logue is encouraged on three different but equally important tracks: Palestinian-Pales­tinian, Pal­estinian-Israeli, and Palestinian-international. By providing a forum for the free expression and analysis of a plurality of local and foreign perspectives, and with over 100 publications to its credit, many of which include the minutes of these meetings, PASSIA has proved most successful at promoting understanding of international relations as they affect the Palestinian struggle for justice and peace. As part of its Religious Studies Unit PASSIA also holds regular meetings with religious leaders (mainly local Muslim and Chris­tian dignitaries, but also involving Jews and foreign scholars) in an effort to foster schol­arly under­standing.

Considered to be of equal importance by those familiar with PASSIA’s activities is its Semi­nar Program, which provides a much-needed venue for Palestinian graduates to benefit from the ex­perience and knowledge of local and foreign experts of the highest caliber. PASSIA’s educational and training seminars are divided into two categories: In­ternational Affairs – including seminars on Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution, Strategic Studies and Security, the EU, Education on Democ­racy, The Foreign Policies of Arab States, Japan and the Middle East, and The United States and Canada: Political Systems, Policy-Making and the Middle East – and Civil Society Empowerment, with seminars held to date including those on Policy-Making, Strategic Planning & Media & Com­munication Skills.

Jerusalem has been and will continue to be the core of the Palestine Question. It is also the fo­cus of the majority of PASSIA’s activities due, in part, to its centrality to the Palestin­ian-Israeli struggle and the now inevitable establishment of a Palestinian state. PASSIA hosts regular work­shops that address different but inter-connected issues pertaining to Je­rusalem, such as freedom of access, Israeli settlements, and the various religious, politi­cal, cultural, historical, and civil as­pects of life in the city, in addition to municipal ar­rangements for Jeru­salem as the capital of two independent states. In these meetings, as during all other events held at PASSIA, it is the desire to promote communication, coop­eration and coordi­nation between those with an interest in the fate of this region that overrides any other con­sidera­tion, and which inevitably results in a dia­logue that is as stimulating as it is productive.

About PASSIA

• The Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs (PASSIA) was founded in March 1987 by Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi and by a group of Palestinian academics and intellectuals in Jerusalem -- Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
• PASSIA is an Arab non-profit institution located in Jerusalem/Al-Quds with a financially and legally independent status. It is not affiliated with any government, political party or organization.
• PASSIA seeks to present the Palestinian Question in its national, Arab and international contexts through academic research, dialogue and publication.
• PASSIA endeavors that research undertaken under its auspices be specialized, scientific and objective and that its symposia and workshops, whether international or intra-Palestinian, be open, self-critical and conducted in a spirit of harmony and cooperation.
• PASSIA's projects include a series of seminars on Diplomacy and Protocol, Strategic Studies, the European Community, and Education on Democracy. This seminar program provides a much needed focus inside Palestine for training Palestinian graduates in international affairs with lectures and discussions held by the highest quality Palestinian and foreign specialists.
• involvement in the question of Jerusalem remains extensive. It hosts regular workshops which address different but inter-connected problems concerning the holy city such as access to information, holy sites, Israeli settlement,and viable future municipal arrangements as capital for the two States.
• PASSIA cooperates and coordinates with other Palestinian institutions both inside and outside Palestine in its persistent efforts to ensure a wider understanding of Palestinian issues.
• PASSIA, by providing a forum for the free expression and analysis of a plurality of Palestinian perspectives and methodology, strives to develop and clarify its own and others' understanding of international relations as they affect the Palestinian struggle for justice and peace.

PASSIA Publications

PASSIA seeks to present the Palestine Question in its national, Arab and international contexts through academic research, dialogue, education, documentation and publication. PASSIA works to achieve its goals through the implementation of the following regular programs: Research, Dialogue, Training and Education in International Affairs, Civil Society Empowerment, Religious Studies, the Question of Jerusalem, and the annual PASSIA Diary.

From the beginning, PASSIA has dedicated a large part of its various program and project activities to the provision of background information, in-depth studies and documentation on issues of concern, as well as the promotion of a better understanding of the Palestinian cause. PASSIA publications aim to be specialized, scientific and objective, yet they often address controversial or neglected issues and allow the expression of a wide range of perspectives. The authors of PASSIA pub lica tions throughout the years have been as diverse as the subjects cov ered and include Palestinian, Arab, Israeli and inter national academics, scholars and experts.

Now in its 25th year, PASSIA is proud to be able to say that its publications have become a sought-after reference source for academics, diplomats, professionals, libraries and anyone with an interest in Palestine, the field of international affairs, and developments in the Middle East.

PASSIA publications are classified as follows:

• Research Studies: Studies – in English or Arabic - conducted by researchers commissioned by PASSIA on a huge diversity of subjects relevant to the Palestine Question.
• Jerusalem Studies: Research studies and shorter papers on the various aspects of the Question of Jerusalem, dealing with issues such as Israeli settlements, land use, the Old City, religion, Israeli municipal policies, and future scenarios for the status of the city.
• Religious Studies: Research studies and shorter papers on religious and interfaith issues pertaining to the Palestinian context.
• Information Papers: Monograph-length studies, essays and briefings, covering many contempo rary and historical issues pertaining to the Palestine Question.
• Documentation: Documentary records such as chronologies, historical and contemporary documents, maps and bios of personalities.
• Bulletins: Easy-to-read publications focusing on specific topics (e.g., Jerusalem, negotiations, prisoners, settlements, etc.) with the aim to make available background information, analyses, and facts and figures in a concise but comprehensive manner.
• Translations: Translation into Arabic and/or English of other foreign-language works of relevance to Palestine and the Palestinians.
• Meetings and Seminar Proceedings: Occasional compilations containing full length or summarized versions of lectures and presentations given at PASSIA during a certain period or as part of a special project. Subcategories include (I) Dialogue Program (proceedings of workshops and roundtable meetings); (II.) Training and Education in International Affairs (proceedings of PASSIA seminars on international affairs), (III.) Civil Society Empowerment Through Training and Skills Development (proceedings of a series of hands-on training programs)
• PASSIA Diaries and Annual Reports: Every year since 1988, PASSIA publishes its “Diary”, a unique annual resource book combining a comprehensive directory of contact information for Palestinian and interna tional institu tions operating in Palestine, a day-to-day calendar, and an agenda containing facts and figures, graphs, statistics, chronologies and maps related to Palestine and the Palestinians. PASSIA’s Annual Reports contain information on PASSIA projects, ongoing activities and research, as well as other work undertaken by or involving PASSIA each year. Also listed are brief descriptions of PASSIA publications, staff and funding sources.
• Posters: Three 50-70 cm posters which PASSIA has designed and published as part of a special project on Jerusalem (2009).

Link: Official page of PASSIA publications

Board of Trustees

• Dr. Mahdi Abdul Hadi - Chairman

Political scientist; historian; columnist; author; founder and member of various Palestinian, Arab and International institutions; head and founder of PASSIA, Jerusaelm.

• Ms. Diana Safieh

Owner and manager of a private Palestinian travel company, Jerusalem; member of various Palestinian women organizations, Jerusalem.

• Dr. Addnan Musallam

Associate Professor of History, Bethlehem University; founder and vice president of al-Liqa' Center for Religious and Heritage Studies in the Holy Land, Bethlehem.

• Dr. Sari Nusseibeh

Professor of Philosophy; political analyst; author and columnist; President of Al-Quds University, Jerusalem

• Dr. Bernard Sabella

Professor of Sociology, Bethlehem University; demographer; columnist and author of various studies; Executive Secretary, Middle East Council of Churches, Jerusalem.

• Dr. Said Zeedani

Professor of Philosophy, Former dean of Faculty of Arts, Birzeit University;

General Director, Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights, Ramallah.

• Dr. Kamal Abdul Fattah

Professor of Geography, Birzeit University; author of various publications on the geography of Palestine, Jenin.

External links

• PASSIA homepage
• About PASSIA
• PASSIA publications
• Palestine Facts & Info