HDF Signs Strategic Partnership with King’s College London to Advance Peace and Dialogue Research

The Humanitarian Dialogue Foundation (HDF) proudly announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with King’s College London, one of the UK’s leading academic institutions, to enhance collaborative efforts in the fields of peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and civic education.
The partnership was formalized in a signing ceremony held at King’s College London in May 2025, attended by senior representatives from both institutions, including faculty from the Department of War Studies and HDF’s Board of Trustees.
The MoU establishes a framework for joint research projects, guest lectures, policy roundtables, and student engagement programs. It also enables both institutions to collaborate on knowledge production around conflict resolution, transitional justice, and the role of dialogue in post-conflict societies.
“This partnership reflects a mutual commitment to creating spaces where academic research informs real-world impact,” said Dr. Firas Al-Husaini, HDF Director of Programs. “By combining HDF’s field experience with King’s renowned academic expertise, we aim to co-create knowledge that supports sustainable peace.”
The collaboration will also support internship opportunities for students, offering practical exposure to peace work in the UK and abroad. A series of co-hosted events, including public lectures and practitioner roundtables, is set to launch in Autumn 2025.
King’s College London expressed its enthusiasm for working with an organization rooted in humanitarian values and grassroots engagement. “We see HDF as a vital partner in translating theory into practice — especially in regions affected by conflict and division,” noted Professor Jonathan Marks from the Department of Global Affairs.
This strategic partnership marks an important step in HDF’s mission to connect academia with the practice of inclusive dialogue and conflict transformation. It signals a deepening of HDF’s presence in the UK’s intellectual and civic landscape — and a shared belief in the power of dialogue to build resilient societies.