Seminar: “Equity and Justice in a Globalized World”

(The report is available only in English)

Date: 24.09.-01.10.2010

Participant from Israel: Eran Shayshon, Senior Political Analyst, Reut Institute

Dear Anne,

I would like to thank you again for choosing me to participate in the FNF seminar on Equity and Justice in a Globalised World, which took place from July 24-30, 2010, and to offer my impressions and feedback.

The seminar surpassed my expectations in advancing my understanding and internalization of the liberal perspective as related to justice and equity. I want to express my high appreciation for Mrs. Petra Pabst and the translators Mr. Edward Bridge and Mrs. Zoony Eeman. The facilities and accommodation in the International Academy for Leadership in Gummersbach were also beyond my expectations.

I found the vast majority of the sessions fascinating and extremely well moderated by Dr. Rolf Freier and Mrs. Katja Egger. The challenge of conducting such sessions in a multicultural atmosphere and among a professionally diverse group was met by both in a remarkable way.

I was most impressed by the structure of the sessions, which enabled and encouraged the contribution of all participants while maintaining a constructive focus on key liberal concepts. A delicate balance between encouraging debate and educating on the liberal perspective was, by and large, maintained throughout the sessions. The dynamic created stimulated participants to adopt a proactive approach.

I would like to raise few issues that by no means compromised my experience, but may be useful to think about.

First, most of the sessions were theoretical and lacked practical examples. The debate on the South Africa case study, for example, provided for a fascinating discussion. However, the session missed an opportunity to deal more with practical aspects in addition to a contextual debate of the theory.

Second, most sessions were held in an overly ‘laboratorial environment,’ in the sense that issues were discussed as if occurring in isolation, and their implications on other acute global issues were not addressed. Examples include the ramifications of liberal economic theory on global warming-related policy, or the tension between individual rights, which liberals exalt, and communal rights. The open session in the end of the seminar, in which participants were encouraged to raise any issue, was not a sufficient platform for such discussions.

Again, these issues did not detract from an extraordinary professional as well as personal experience. I am looking forward to the continued cooperation between the Reut Institute and the Friedrich Naumann Sriftung.

All the best,

Eran