Student Leadership Programme

15th - 19th February 2021

 

*Applications open soon!*

The SNS annual Student Leadership Programme gives you the chance to meet new people, challenge your own views and those of others, and learn about a conflict that has shaped the lives of millions of people for over a century. Not only is it an amazing opportunity to engage with Israeli and Palestinian peace activists directly involved with finding solutions to the conflict, it provides you with all the resources, encouragement, and enthusiasm to approach it from just about every perspective, without telling you what solution you should support or what opinions you should hold.

Some feedback from previous years:

"It has consolidated a lot of previous knowledge on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and on-ground reality. I learned much more in regards to history, politics, economics and religion in the region"

"I've become more open to learning about other perspectives"

"[The programme has] made me more passionate and determined to engage in dialogue"

"It was an indescribably fantastic week"

“I have learned so much in such a unique way. Not just about the conflict but about on cultures and religions.”

“I think my understanding has deepened far more than I expected it to, I feel like there was copious amounts of background to the conflict which I never really appreciated.”

"The programme was honestly perfect"

“Definitely deepened my understanding both emotionally and historically”

"I knew enough about the conflict beforehand to make an educated assessment of the conflict, but engaging with others really challenged and deepened my understanding.”

FAQs
  1. When is it? - 15th-19th February 2021
  2. Where is it? - Cambridge, UK
  3. Who is it for? - The programme is designed for anyone who is interested in or passionate about Israel – Palestine. You must be 16-19 years old by 15 February 2021. If you have already visited the region, campaigned on Israel - Palestine, or feel strongly about the situation, we encourage you to apply. Equally, you do not need to have studied the conflict, been to the region, or demonstrate prior interest. All we ask is that you are able to show a willingness to listen, learn, speak your mind, empathise, and are up for the challenge of showing leadership on this issue in your school, on your campus or within your community.
  4. Goal - To provide a safe space to enable young Jews, Christians, Muslims and young people of other faiths and none to talk about Israel-Palestine, build understanding about each others' perspectives and undertake solutions-focused activities together.
  5. What happens during the programme? – The programme is full of talks, workshops, discussions, skills labs, and lectures and more! The focus will be on Israel – Palestine, with Israeli and Palestinian peace activists involved in programme delivery. All participants attend all of the sessions and there is always plenty of time to give your own opinions, ask questions, and hold your own discussions in each session.
  6. What kind of topics does the programme cover?

    • Leadership skills

    • Non-Violent Communication Training

    • Conflict Resolution skills

    • Basic knowledge of Israeli and Palestinian narratives (historical, current, political and religious)

    • Public speaking skills

    • Recognising Antisemitism and Islamophobia in relation to discourse about Israel-Palestine

    • Critical-thinking skills

7. What solution do you promote? - As contained in the SNS programme principles, we believe that any solution must include an end to both the occupation and the conflict, and a win-win outcome. As an educational programme, we do not promote any particular solution but rather we encourage debate and discussion on all perspectives and possible solutions and we invite speakers with a variety of different political views to speak at the programme. It is up to you, as a participant, to come up with your own opinions on a solution.

8. Where do I stay? – We shall confirm the residential accommodation nearer the time of the programme.

9. How much is it? – The programme is free and runs on the basis of voluntary contribution, which includes all meals, accommodation, transport, and other costs. If a participant is able to, we ask that they contribute towards the costs of delivering the programme.

10. What happens afterwards? - After the programme, you become part of the SNS Student Network. This means that you will receive one-on-one mentoring and support from us for any activities you want to do in your communities/campuses, have connections with dozens of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists, are invited to speak at our events, can be part of our blogging programme, come to our school sessions, are invited to reunions, events, and other activities.

11. What have other participants gone on to do? - Over 140 students have now completed this programme. Students have gone onto set up their own pro-solution university societies, set up charities, visit Israel - Palestine, work for NGOS, do internships with SNS, become teachers, campaign in parliament, do Masters or PHD degrees, volunteer for SNS in schools & at events, write blog posts, create art pieces reflecting their experiences, and many other brilliant things.

12. When is the deadline? - There is a rolling application window open for the 2021 course until 20th December 2020, and you will hear about the outcome of your application by early January, after the Christmas break.