On Jan. 15, 2024, Givat Haviva proudly launched its first seminar as part of a new academic initiative. We welcomed over 30 educational and administrative staff from the University of Haifa for a full day of professional development focused on conflict resolution, dialogue, and restorative justice in academia.
The seminar, “Bridges of Agreement—Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice in Academia,” was held at Givat Haviva’s campus. It marked a significant milestone in our efforts to address the growing challenges faced by Israeli academic institutions following the events of Oct. 7.
This educational intervention was made possible thanks to the generous support of the CJP’s Boston-Haifa Connection, whose commitment to shared society and Jewish-Arab partnership continues to enable transformative work on the ground.
Seminar Highlights
The day offered a carefully structured mix of theoretical insight, practical tools, and dialogue-based engagement. The program included:
- Opening lecture by lawyer and social worker Dana Gilah, providing a foundational introduction to mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice, and creating common ground in institutional settings
- Guided tour and discussion across Givat Haviva’s educational and peacebuilding institutions, giving participants direct exposure to models of shared society in practice
- Workshop on mediation in multicultural settings, addressing the specific challenges of diverse academic environments and how faculty can play a central role in creating inclusive spaces
- Case study analysis and roundtable discussion, exploring real-life scenarios from academic settings and initiating conversations about the creation of internal mechanisms for conflict resolution on campus
Throughout the seminar, participants reflected deeply on their roles as educators and leaders and engaged in constructive dialogue on how to navigate the complexities of academic life during a national crisis.
Strategic Context and Looking Ahead
This seminar is part of Givat Haviva’s broader “Educational Interventions in Academia” initiative, developed to provide university faculty and staff with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to foster respectful, inclusive academic environments—especially during times of national tension and social polarization. Future components of this initiative together with Haifa University include:
- A guided study tour in an Arab city, offering academic staff insight into the cultural and social realities of their Arab students
- The launch of a Jewish-Arab Academic Leadership Group in May, which will bring together faculty leaders for an in-depth, multi-session process of shared learning and cross-cultural leadership development
This work reflects Givat Haviva’s continued mission to build a shared and inclusive society in Israel—one that recognizes the role of educators, institutions, and civil society in fostering trust, empathy, and mutual understanding.
Givat Haviva is a civil society organization for social change associated with the Havatzelet Group. We strive to create a model society in Israel, emphasizing the importance of a Jewish and Arab shared society.