2022-08-31-accounts - Fodip (The Forum For Discussion Of Israel And Palestine)

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TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT, WITH ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Period

1[st] SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31[ST] AUGUST 2022

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT, WITH ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

Registered Charity Number 1189476

CIO - ASSOCIATION Registered 14 May 2020

For the Financial Period 1[ST] SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31[ST] AUGUST 2022

Patrons:

Lord Harries of Pentregarth

Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield

Shaykh Dr Abdal Hakim Murad

Members

Rabbi Warren Elf MBE (Joint Chair/Treasurer)

Dr Jane Clements (Joint Chair) – appointed 15 September 2020

Canon Marcia Wall

Muddassar Ahmed

Jawad Amin (appointed March 2021)

FODIP - The Forum for Discussion of Israel and Palestine No 1 Spinningfields Quay Street Manchester M3 3JE

Registered Address from 14 May 2020 Manchester Multifaith Centre Unit 18, The Wesley Centre Royce Road Manchester M15 5BP www.fodip.org.uk ; E: admin@fodip.org.uk

THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Year 1[ST] SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31[ST] AUGUST 2022

FODIP is a charitable incorporated organisation (registered on 14 May 2020) established to improve inter faith relations in the UK in the context of the Israeli Palestinian conflict.

Trustees report

Our Aims

FODIP’s objects are:

The promotion of racial and religious harmony for the benefit of the public in particular but not exclusively by:

a) Promoting mutual understanding and respect between Jews, Christians, Muslims and the wider public in the UK;
b) The provision of assistance, through dialogue and education, where community relations are threatened by differences in perspectives regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and other global problems;
c) Resourcing the public concerning religious issues and approaches to peace and justice, involving events and people in the Middle East.

Objectives

In order to fulfil these aims, FODIP works through three main areas of activity:

On a local level, resourcing and facilitating dialogue and education among local faith and inter faith groups on the Israeli Palestinian conflict;
Through Study Tours to Israel and Palestine;
At national level, acting as a point of information and advice, consulting and providing material for national organisations and institutions.

Governance

The board of trustees has not met formally during this period but there has been regular communication between trustees and the Programme Director and decisions made were confirmed online and through email.

Activities

FODIP have continued to deliver extensive activities in the period September 2021 – August 2022 to implement their aims and objectives. The activities are summarised in this report, and are considered to contribute positively to those who participate directly in programmes and the wider communities represented. During this time over 300 new direct engagements were recorded, through training programmes and facilitating dialogue with education institutions, interfaith organisations, community groups and local councils. An additional 47 women engaged with the sports programme.

THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Period

1[ST] SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31[ST] AUGUST 2022

Trustees report continued

FODIP Ambassadors

A growing number of FODIP Alumni joined as ambassadors, supporting and contributing to the vision of FODIP. This group met regularly in person and online discussing pressing issues and exploring ways to extend the impact of current programmes. This contributed to leadership development, increased positive communication and expansion of programmes, reaching wider audiences for participation.

Training sessions for interfaith organisations

Members of interfaith organisations are pushing to hold conversations on the Middle East, namely relating to Palestine and Israel. An increasing number of interfaith organisations have voiced concerns over being able to positively discuss these issues. FODIP have run closed sessions with their members to establish an approach to dialogue which can help to pave the way in continuing to hold the conversations needed. This has included ‘one off’ sessions as well as a programme of workshops equipping participants with tools and skills for positive cooperation.

Questions Without Borders

Despite being unable to arrange a visit the region during this time, previous participants have continued to stay engaged, communicating through WhatsApp groups and social media.

THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Period 1[ST] SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31[ST] AUGUST 2022

Trustees report continued

Social Media

Followers on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter has increased by 100%. Posts focus on upcoming opportunities to be involved and stories from our participants.

Engagement with Education Institutions

Bespoke programmes were developed to reflect the experiences and issues for each institution.

FODIP engaged with year 11, 12 and 13 students over 5 weeks at a secondary school in Bradford. Participants expressed gratitude in having permission to discuss and learn about an issue which is usually silenced in a school setting.

A Manchester based faith school invited FODIP to deliver an introductory session to year 8 and year 9 students as part of their PSHE day, opening up dialogue in a safe space.

FODIP staff and alumni were invited to attend a diversity event in a college in Manchester. This supported the local college in their vision to allow a safe space for all students to engage with tricky topics.

After extensive conversations with university leadership, and in collaboration with university staff, FODIP lead on the delivery of a training course for university staff and student councils on adopting the IHRA definition and understanding antisemitism for the university.

Bespoke Training for organisations working with young people and for local councils

As part of the commitment to promote positive dialogue, share knowledge and to equip people with tools to handle difficult dialogue, a bespoke 2 half day training course was delivered to a creative arts organisation funded by the local council to use drama and art to engage with difficult issues in schools. A training course was created to help address questions and deal with issues staff face during performances at schools though the local council.

THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Period 1ST SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31ST AUGUST 2022

Trustees report continued

Facilitated expert listening sessions by FODIP staff were held for a number of local councils, bringing their council staff, members and communities together where they had experienced heightened tensions in community relations when issues in Palestine/Israel were escalating.

Tough Options Moving Forward

The two year Tough Options Moving Forward programme commenced with the recruitment phase in Jan 2022, with the successful appointment of Project Manager, Martha Scott-Cracknell who began work for FODIP in March. 25 participants have joined the programme, combined from England (Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Northeast England, and London) and Belfast. The participants are aged between 16 and 27 years old and mainly from Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, albeit with ranging religiosity. We also have some participants from non-Abrahamic faiths and some of no faith.

This is a unique innovative programme in partnership with Corrymeela centre in Ballycastle Northern Ireland. The project brings together two groups of young adults, one from England (focusing in Palestine/Israel conflict) and another in Northern Ireland (focusing on NI troubles) to examine issues of conflict, conflict resolution and management within their own communities.

Participants have met in their respective groups, and also at a residential where the English participants travelled over to Northern Ireland and met up with the NI participants for a four-day residential at the Corrymeela centre in Ballycastle. Participants took part in a series of workshops that focused on understanding the Northern Irish context, the legacy of the Troubles, and how society has approached conflict transformation.

THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Period

1ST SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31ST AUGUST 2022

Trustees report continued

Breaking Barriers Creating Conversations

FODIP Ambassadors supported the development of online workshops. Connecting young people from different faith traditions, namely the Abrahamic faiths to one another using Palestine and Israel. They helped to navigate emotions positively by creating a safe space to share, discuss and explore their own and others fears and hopes. This included 6 online workshops and some in person meetings. Some of the topics included addressing antisemitism and islamophobia, connection to the Holy Land and hearing the voices from Israelis and Palestinians working towards peacebuilding.

Online Webinars

During the pandemic FODIP hosted a number of online webinars taking engagement online. This enabled a wider audience and increased engagement on issues which were heightened during 2021. FODIP continued the online engagement in 2021 – 2022 building on and continuing communication through the virtual space.

The virtual setting allowed voices from the region to be heard in a safe setting, where online sessions are facilitated by expert FODIP staff and trustees.

THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Period 1ST SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31ST AUGUST 2022

Women’s Sports Programme

Successful funding applications has allowed this small but important programme to continue. Although COVID-19 had halted this project in the previous year; the sessions saw another increase in participation from previous years. The majority of women joining from traditional backgrounds. The programme encourages participating in physical activity with an opportunity to learn new sports, skills and meet women from different backgrounds to increase an understanding of the cohesive communities in Manchester and build friendships.

Training, Development and Raising FODIP’s Profile

Development of staff and members of FODIP is fundamental to the success of FODIP and this is integral to build and grow the organisation. International, National and local events, training seminars and gatherings are attended to achieve this.

THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Period 1[ST] SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31[ST] AUGUST 2022

Financial Reserves

Reserves Policy

The members have agreed the reserves policy to leave enough to meet three months’ running costs. This means that the reserves for the year are as set at 31[st] August 2022 of £8,000 (unrestricted) which is equal to three months’ expenditure on costs (that is, rent and management).

Principal funding sources

The main sources of income this year have been from The National Lottery, both the Community Awards Fund and the Awards for All scheme. In addition, donations and the delivery of seminars, consultation expertise and facilitation where appropriate, attract payment for such services.

Investment policy and objectives

The association has no long-term investments. All cash reserves are held in the Unity Trust current bank account.

Plans for future period

Aims for the forthcoming twelve months are:

To establish a sound financial base
To build capacity
To utilise the ongoing programmes to raise the profile of the organisation;
To continue to deliver our 3 major programmes.

Rabbi Warren Elf MBE

Joint Chair/Honorary Treasurer

THE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE (FODIP)

For the Financial Period

1[ST] SEPTEMBER 2021 – 31[ST] AUGUST 2022

FODIP Accounts, 1[st] September 2021 – 31[st] August 2022

Income

		Restricted
	£	£
TNLottery (TOMF Project) 66952.00		66952.00
A4A	9955.00	9955.00
TOMF Deposits Refund	360.00
Donations	3540.56
Services	3525.60
Total Income	£84333.16	£76907.00
Expenditure
		Restricted
	£	£
TOMF Project Worker	7887.02	7887.02
TOMF Org – Prog Director 16075.00		16075.00
TOMF Equipment	466.22	466.22
TOMF Venue	177.20	177.20
Payroll	257.76	257.76
TOMF Facilitation	450.00	450.00
TOMF Advert	478.40	478.40
TOMF Travel	1613.14	1613.14
Phone	159.00
Women's Voices	1705.00
Insurance	385.00
Bank Charges	72.00
Website	286.24
Office	2534.88	2534.88
Travel Expenses	1845.03
Peacebuilders Project	510.00
A4A Project	435.42	435.42
Safeguarding	112.00
Total Expenditure	£35449.31	£30375.04
Opening Bank balance at 1.9.21		£27,526.98
Excess of Income over Expenditure		£48,883.86
Closing Bank balance at 31.8.22		£76,410.83