The Ceremony opened with welcome addresses from Prof. Carla Eddé, on behalf of the Rector of Saint Joseph University of Beirut; Prof. Etienne Farnoux, on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science; and Dr Sami Nader, Director of the Institute of Political Science. A moment of remembrance followed, with two memorial videos honouring Prof. Sami Salhab , a pioneer teacher of International Humanitarian law , mentor and member of ArMA community and Victoria Dox, an ArMA alumna who passed away. Their memory remains part of our ArMA family. A video highlighting ArMA’s activities was also screened, reflecting the journey of the programme and its community.
Prof. Maryam Ben Salem of Carthage University delivered the commencement speech on behalf of the ArMA Council. We were honoured to hear keynote speeches from Dr Dorothée Klaus, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, and Dr Khawla Matar, former director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Cairo and & former UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, whose reflections reminded us why frontline human rights education matters now more than ever.
The valediction was delivered on behalf of the graduates by Augustine Boulle from Belgium, who shared a recorded speech, and Aicha Bripe from Morocco, who addressed the audience in person. Diplomas were then awarded to graduates representing nine nationalities: Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Belgium, France, Morocco, Tunisia and Norway, united by a shared commitment to human rights and democracy.
The ceremony was attended by the national directors of Birzeit University, Carthage University, the University of Jordan and university of Cairo, alongside alumni, graduates, guests current students, ArMA’s valued lecturers, and partners. The Gc Arab World extends its warmest congratulations to the graduates of the 2025/2026 cohort and thanks everyone who joined the ceremony, in person and online. It also wishes the 2026/2027 cohort a rewarding academic year.
The Programme is grateful to its partner universities, Birzeit University, Carthage University, Université Internationale de Rabat, the University of Jordan and the University of Southern Denmark, and to its supporters, the European Union and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, whose continued commitment makes this programme possible.