Our Partners
Coordinating Institution
Academic College of Sakhnin (Israel) – Project Coordinator
Partners
The MANDELA consortium brings together 12 higher education institutions and 4 civil society organizations from Israel, Ghana, Ethiopia, Romania, Austria, and Germany. This cross-regional partnership combines academic excellence, pedagogical innovation, and field expertise in negotiation, cultural diplomacy, conflict resolution, and values-based education.
The consortium operates through a distributed leadership model, ensuring shared responsibility, mutual learning, and sustainable capacity building across all participating institutions. By linking European experience with the realities of diverse and evolving societies in the Levant and Africa, MANDELA fosters long-term institutional cooperation and structural impact in higher education.
The Academic College of Sakhnin
The Academic College of Sakhnin, founded in 2001 in the Galilee, is a leading higher education institution serving Israel’s Arab community. The college offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, teacher training, and professional development.
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Driven by innovation, Sakhnin blends advanced technologies with modern pedagogy to promote experiential learning. Expanding its programs to include Educational Technology, Psychology, Social Sciences, Economics, Social Work, and Occupational Therapy, the college fosters international collaboration and empowers students to create positive change in their communities.
Ambo University
Ambo University, among Ethiopia’s oldest and most respected institutions, evolved from a 1947 agricultural school into a comprehensive hub for higher learning. Located west of Addis Ababa, it operates across four campuses, including a specialized referral hospital.
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With 155 programs under nine colleges, Ambo offers degrees from undergraduate to PhD level, supported by over 1,500 faculty—most holding advanced degrees. Committed to national development, the university blends education, research, and technology transfer to serve communities and empower innovation, standing as a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s progress.
AVaKE
AVaKE – Association for Values and Knowledge Education is an NGO based in Austria (ZVR No. 942841689). The organization promotes education that connects knowledge acquisition with ethical values. Its core focus is the VaKE approach (Values and Knowledge Education), a teaching method developed by founding members at the University of Salzburg.
AVaKE advances this concept through both theoretical development and practical application across diverse educational fields, fostering responsible learning and value-oriented teaching.
Catholic University of Ghana
The Catholic University of Ghana (CUG), established in 2003 by the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, admitted its first 50 students that same year. Its mission is to promote academic excellence, ethical values, personal growth, and dedicated service, shaping graduates who contribute meaningfully to national development.
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CUG encompasses six faculties: Economics and Business Administration; Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences; Religious Studies and Social Sciences; Education; Health and Allied Sciences; and Nursing and Midwifery.
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Granted a Presidential Charter in August 2022, CUG is now an independent private university authorized to confer its own degrees and diplomas.
David Yellin Academic College of Education
The David Yellin Academic College of Education, founded in 1913 in Jerusalem, serves around 5,000 students reflecting Israel’s social and cultural diversity — Jews (religious and secular), Muslim and Christian Arabs, and new immigrants.
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The college offers bachelor's and master's degrees in education and arts therapies (including visual art, movement and dance, music, and bibliotherapy), along with teaching certificates, professional training, and development programs.
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David Yellin also operates pre-academic and continuing education programs, emphasizing inclusive teaching, creativity, and community engagement.
FOSDA
The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) is a leading Ghanaian civil society organization promoting human security as the foundation for peace and sustainable development. It advances community protection from violent conflict and extremism through advocacy, training, and inclusive dialogue.
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FOSDA empowers women and youth to influence security policy and governance, translating global principles into local action. By fostering resilience, social cohesion, and accountability, FOSDA ensures that protecting lives, dignity, and opportunity remains central to peacebuilding across Ghana and West Africa.
Forum for Social Studies
Forum for Social Studies (FSS) is an independent, non-profit research think tank based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Since its establishment in 1998, FSS has been dedicated to producing policy-relevant research on key national and regional issues, including governance, economic development, environment, and social justice.
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Through publications, dialogue forums, and partnerships with academic and civil society institutions, FSS fosters evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development. Its work strengthens democratic discourse and supports Ethiopia’s progress toward equitable growth, transparency, and sustainable social transformation.
Gordon Academic College of Education
Gordon Academic College of Education, located in Haifa—Israel’s most multicultural city—is a leading institution for teacher education. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, academic retraining programs, and professional development for educators.
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Reflecting Israel’s social diversity, Gordon promotes inclusion, equity, and educational responsibility. The college integrates technological and pedagogical innovation through advanced labs that support experiential learning and research-based practice. Actively engaged in international collaboration, particularly within European and global frameworks, Gordon advances innovation and fosters the internationalization of teacher education.
Jimma University
Jimma University, established in 1999 through the merger of Jimma College of Agriculture and Jimma Institute of Health Sciences, is a multidisciplinary, development-oriented institution aligned with Ethiopia’s higher education reforms.
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Pathways
PATHWAYS Institute for Negotiation Education is a non-profit organization based in Belgium that works with students, educators, and professionals to develop communication, negotiation, and creative problem-solving skills. Through experiential workshops, school partnerships, teacher training, and virtual exchanges, PATHWAYS promotes collaborative learning and bridge-building across diverse communities. Its programs are based on methodology developed at the Harvard Negotiation Project and aim to foster leadership, dialogue, and more cohesive societies.
Private University Of Education Diocese Of Linz
The Private Pädagogische Hochschule der Diözese Linz is a private teacher education university in Upper Austria. It provides initial and continuing education for teachers and educational professionals, with a strong emphasis on values-based learning, inclusion, and social responsibility. Combining academic research with practical training, the institution works closely with schools and educational organizations. Its programs cover primary and secondary education, as well as continuing professional development, preparing graduates for diverse educational settings in Austria and beyond.
Wolaita Sodo University
Wolaita Sodo University (WSU) is a public applied science university in southern Ethiopia, established in 2007 to advance teaching, research, and community service. Starting with 801 students in 16 programs, it has grown to more than 38,000 students across three campuses, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies. Accredited by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, WSU promotes practice-oriented, technology-driven education and multidisciplinary research. Recognized as a centre of excellence in Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Geology, and Agriculture, the university contributes to regional and national development.
BabeÈ™-Bolyai University (UBB)
The BabeÈ™-Bolyai University (UBB), located in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, is the country's largest and most prestigious public research university, with roots dating back to 1581 and formally established in its multicultural form in 1959. With around 50,000 students across 22 faculties, UBB offers programs in Romanian, Hungarian, German, English, and French, emphasizing excellence in research and teaching.
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Renowned for its innovation and multiculturalism, UBB leads in sciences, humanities, social sciences, psychology, economics, and education. It fosters global partnerships with over 210 universities in 50 countries, including Erasmus+ and EUTOPIA, empowering students to drive positive change through knowledge and intercultural dialogue.
