At McGeorge School of Law, Dajani is the co-director of the Global Center for Business & Development and International Certificate of Concentration. The courses he teaches include Public International Law, Constitutional Law, Contracts, and International Negotiations.
In class, Dajani often draws on his experiences as a legal adviser in peace talks. Describing one case study he created using minutes from international water negotiations, he said, “I wanted to give my students a sense of the way in which parties in high stakes peace talks talk about law, how to use law, and how they fail to use law” adding, “I was really impressed by my students’ thoughts and questions about the challenges to advancing peace.”
In recent years, Dajani has taken interest in alternatives to the two-state solution, whose political viability has faced increasing challenges.
Dajani’s 2014 study with Hiba Husseini, entitled “Past the Point of No Return? A Rights-Based Framework for International Engagement in Israel/Palestine,” advocates a law-based approach to resolving the conflict. His 2017 article with Hugh Lovatt, “Rethinking Oslo: How Europe Can Promote Peace in Israel-Palestine,” explores the shortcomings of the jurisdictional framework established by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in the Oslo Agreements.
Dajani always had an interest in teaching, even before his time at the United Nations. Although advocating for justice and peace was important to him, he realized that he would be able to continue doing that work as a professor, but with more institutional independence and the opportunity to learn constantly. He sees his students as a source of inspiration.
“In teaching, I find a way of restoring my faith in humanity,” Dajani said.
This summer, Dajani plans to head to the Middle East, where he will continue his work on confederal models for Israel-Palestine and begin recording a podcast. Co-hosted with Carleton University Professor Mira Sucharov, the podcast will tell the story of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the experience of the city of Jaffa, which Dajani’s family once called home.
“One audience we particularly hope to reach is progressive young Americans who are interested in Israel-Palestine, but find it difficult to make sense of it,” Dajani said. “I’m excited to find new ways to tell the story.”
For more information about McGeorge of Law, visit law.pacific.edu/law.
Media Contact: Ashley Golledge, Director of Marketing and Communications, agolledge@pacific.edu, 916.325.4687.