Bethlehem University hosted a special symposium on Friday, 2 August 2024, titled “Chilean-Palestinian Relations: Beyond Diplomacy.” The event featured Her Excellency, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Republic of Chile, Ms. Vera Baboun (BU ’85), and His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to the State of Palestine, Mr. Sebastian Molina.
The symposium commenced with a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs, followed by the Palestinian national anthem. Executive Vice President Rev. Dr. Iyad Twal welcomed the attendees and emphasized the university’s mission of serving the Palestinian people and advocating for justice and peace.
He highlighted the historical friendship between Palestine and Chile and expressed the desire to strengthen these ties in various fields, including banking, churches, businesses, and institutions. He noted that university graduates are at the forefront of these efforts.
Vice Chancellor Brother Hernán Santos expressed his delight at hosting such a gathering that focused on human relations beyond diplomacy and formalities. He stated that by transcending diplomacy, cultural, religious, and economic barriers can be overcome.
Ambassador Molina viewed Bethlehem University as a leading educational institution and expressed his pleasure at being on campus. He emphasized the importance of deepening and strengthening relations with Palestine, which have a rich history spanning over a century.
He noted that Chile has the largest Arab community in Latin America, with a significant Palestinian presence in education, economics, health, and sports, as exemplified by the Palestino Club, founded in 1929.
Molina concluded by saying that while there are existing agreements between Chile and Palestine, they strive to foster cooperation beyond the official framework.
Ambassador Baboun spoke about the profound impact of her twenty years at Bethlehem University on her identity, which was shaped by her studies and work there. She also discussed the deep-rooted relationship between Chile and Palestine at the official level and emphasized the role of dialogue in bridging relations through diplomacy, distinguishing between formal diplomacy and public diplomacy. She stressed the importance of advancing these relations at all levels.
Baboun affirmed that the situation in Palestine is irrational, shocking, and terrifying but has opened the world’s eyes to the Palestinian cause.
The speakers then responded to questions from the audience, which covered various topics, including strengthening cooperation between civil society institutions in both countries, encouraging visits from Chile to Palestine, particularly for those of Palestinian origin, and promoting cultural and academic exchange between the two nations.
