The Activists’ Academy is a series of seminars and events that will explore in depth the current debate about Israel in the UK, how it links to antisemitism and how activists can get involved and help make a positive difference.
The Academy is aimed at young professionals and will be pluralistic in terms of welcoming participants with a range of views and backgrounds.
The Academy is being launched as we recognise that the events of the last few years have demonstrated that we face an unprecedented wave of antisemitism that has placed Israel at its heart. It is therefore more important than ever to develop a deep understanding of Zionism, Israel’s political and security dilemmas, the search for peace and crucially how we can conduct a constructive discussion about Israel and the Palestinians in the UK.
The Academy will explore these issues and help you develop practical communications and campaign skills.
Working together with BICOM, the programme will be delivered by the best presenters and experts and include meetings with communal leaders and professionals working on these issues every day.
The first event in the programme, which will be Professor Colin Shindler, Pears Senior Research Fellow in Israel Studies, SOAS, on “What Zionism is and isn’t”, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday 29 May.
About the Academy
- The Academy is a series of eight educational and training events during 2019 and 2020.
- The group will be made up of young professionals from a variety of backgrounds and will include Jewish and non-Jewish participants.
- The Academy will be conducted with mutual respect for all participants their views and backgrounds. It will be devoted to pluralism, open inquiry, empathy and the need to explore the background and motivations of those involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- All sessions will be held on weekday evenings, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, in or near Central London, with refreshments provided.