Based on Birzeit University’s conviction and belief in its vision of its role as a pioneering institution with all its components that contribute to knowledge production in its national and global dimensions, and its commitment to its mission through “providing an enlightened and independent environment that allows freedom of thought and expression, is keen on democratic practices and dialogue, and stimulates excellence, creativity, innovation and leadership in education and learning.” To provide the community with competencies and knowledge that would lead change and contribute to its advancement, the Leadership and Active Citizenship Program “Masari” was launched at the beginning of the academic year 2017/2018, to enhance the university’s role in developing a renewed vision for education, and to be an incentive for students to start charting their life path and engaging with their surroundings. From the first day they cross the university's threshold, a co-curricular curriculum is implemented in parallel with the academic programs and curricular and extracurricular activities, and is a major and integral part of their educational career and university experience.
The Massari program draws its general intellectual framework from the experience and expertise of Birzeit University in developing the conceptual and programmatic framework for life skills and citizenship education for the Middle East and North Africa, within the framework of a joint regional initiative launched by UNICEF in 2015 in cooperation with countries in the region and international institutions.