As part of the ongoing implementation and monitoring of the "Enhancing the Sustainability of the Legal Clinic" project, the Legal Clinic at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at An-Najah National University welcomed Mr. Fred Rooney, Expert with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), along with representatives of the SAWASYA III Programme, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, for a field visit to review the progress of the An-Najah Legal Incubator and engage directly with the lawyers participating in its first cohort.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Noor Adas, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science; Dr. Naeem Salameh, Project Director and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Safa Balaawi, Director of the Legal Clinic; members of the Legal Clinic team; and the lawyers enrolled in the first cohort of the An-Najah Legal Incubator.
The visit provided an opportunity to review the incubator's journey since its launch, beginning with the introductory orientation meeting held at the start of the year, followed by a series of specialized legal training programs covering Land Law, Intellectual Property, and Company Law, in addition to field visits, legal awareness campaigns, and legal consultations delivered by the participants to members of the local community.
During an open discussion session, participating lawyers shared their personal and professional experiences within the incubator, reflecting on the value of the specialized training, practical field activities, and community outreach initiatives. They highlighted how the program had strengthened their professional competencies, enhanced their self-confidence, and equipped them with the practical skills needed to handle real legal cases and engage effectively with the community and justice sector institutions.
In her remarks, Dr. Noor Adas welcomed the guests and expressed her appreciation for the strategic partnership with the SAWASYA III Programme and its international partners. She emphasized that the An-Najah Legal Incubator embodies the Faculty's vision of preparing young lawyers by strengthening both their legal knowledge and practical competencies in line with the evolving demands of the legal profession. She further noted that the incubator's impact extends beyond professional capacity-building to include community service through promoting the rule of law, providing legal awareness and legal aid, and improving access to justice. She stressed that the success of the first cohort demonstrates the importance of investing in young legal professionals.
For his part, Dr. Naeem Salameh noted that the visit reflects the University's commitment to assessing the project's impact through direct field engagement, rather than relying solely on written reports. He stated, "The professional growth and confidence demonstrated by the participants today provide clear evidence that the Legal Incubator has proven its value since its very beginning."
Meanwhile, Ms. Safa Balaawi expressed her pride in the remarkable progress achieved by the participants throughout the program, saying, "We have accompanied these lawyers every step of the way since the orientation meeting, and today we see them more confident, better prepared, and ready to practice law with professionalism and responsibility."
Mr. Fred Rooney commended the participants for their professionalism and commitment throughout the training period, encouraging them to continue building on this experience. He remarked, "The level of professionalism and dedication I witnessed today among the participating lawyers reflects the success of this model, and we look forward to seeing it continue and expand in the coming years."
The visit builds on the continuous follow-up process initiated during the participants' orientation meeting at the beginning of the year, during which the Legal Clinic emphasized that the incubator provides an integrated professional environment combining practical legal education, capacity development, mentorship, and professional guidance.
The visit also contributes to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by An-Najah National University, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) by strengthening practice-oriented legal education, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) through supporting and empowering women lawyers, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by promoting access to justice and strengthening the rule of law.
This event forms part of the ongoing implementation of the "Enhancing the Sustainability of the Legal Clinic" project, implemented in partnership with the SAWASYA III Programme, the joint programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
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