Interfaith Encounter: Israel and Palestine brings together students from different backgrounds for a unique experience of understanding and addressing interreligious conflict.
The purpose of the trip is to look at the three religious traditions of this highly contested region of the world to see how they underpin today’s conflict, but also how they might contribute to its resolution.
We visit the sites of sacred significance to the three Abrahamic faiths and we meet groups and individuals from all sides to hear their perspectives and to learn what they ae doing to work for peace.
We meet and are hosted by Israelis and Palestinians, Muslims, Christians and Jews. We hear starkly different perspectives and see challenging things which we discuss in groups each day. Students are left to make up their own minds and are asked only to participate with openness and a desire to learn from those seeking reconciliation and justice.
Highlights from previous trips (subject to change):
• Key sites in Jerusalem including the Western Wall, Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa
• Synagogue visit and Shabbat meal with Jewish families
• Overnight stay in Bethlehem with Palestinian families and visit to Aida refugee camp
• Visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
• Key sites in Nazareth including Galilee, Church of the Annunciation, the tomb of Maimonides and the White Mosque
• Meeting with officials at the British embassy in Tel Aviv
• Meetings with peace activists and campaigners of different faiths
Feedback from former participants:
“My time in the holy land was the best trip I have ever had in my life. I learnt so much about different religions, different people and the potential for reconciliation.” - A Muslim participant
“The trip humbled me by challenging my beliefs and making me realise how much more I can learn about other people and about myself.” - A Christian participant
“By the end of our first day in Jerusalem I had seen more than I had in 19 years of visiting with my family!” - A Jewish participant
“It was the highlight of my time at the LSE.” - A non-religious participant
The trip is substantially funded by a charitable foundation seeking to promote understanding of the different perspectives on Israel and Palestine. It is therefore a privileged opportunity and we will be looking for applicants who can demonstrate their enthusiasm for interfaith understanding and peacebuilding.
The criteria on which we will select applicants include:
• A clear interest in religion and its impact on the world today
• Active involvement in your religious (or other) community
• A demonstrated commitment to reconciliation and conflict resolution work
• A readiness to engage in further interfaith activities
You may be invited to interview.
There will be four preparatory workshops on Monday evenings in November 2016 and some follow up work to debrief and share the experiences when we return. These are all mandatory.
The cost of the trip to participants will be £200. We encourage participants to seek support from their faith community or any other group. Any students in serious financial hardship should talk to the chaplain.
Some students will unfortunately have exams in the first week of January and will not be able to take part. Please check your department before submitting an application.
To obtain and application form, email faithcentre@lse.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is 23 October 2016.
