In July 2019, the International Educators Seminar, World Education Conference took place, as an initiative of the Diaspora Zionist Identity Empowerment Department. Between July 22-28, 2019, about 200 educators from 50 schools around the world participated in the seminar, on an educational journey intended to provide new pedagogical tools to strengthen ties between the young generation and the Land of Israel, the Jewish people and its heritage.
During the weeklong seminar, headmasters and teachers from the United States, Canada, France, North Africa, Switzerland and England toured Jewish and Zionist heritage sites throughout Israel and were exposed to current innovations in the field of environmental education. The participants learned about KKL-JNF activities in the development of the country, the environment and communities, by way of visits to educational, ecological and communal projects – many of which were supported by friends of KKL-JNF around the world.
The program combined encounters with local educational institutions, teachers and students, alongside lectures and group discussions, which enabled an in-depth dialog about identity, education and values in Jewish and Israeli society. During the seminar, the participants experienced the cultural and human diversity of Israeli society, and we're supposed to a variety of ways to connect between education, community and the environment.
Some of the activities of the seminar were dedicated to experiential learning that is based upon senses and experience, in order to examine new educational paths to express the deep connection to Israel. Simultaneously, there were separate tours for the various groups of participants, which focused upon issues such as settlement, agriculture, educational excellence and nature, according to the language of education and the target audience.
During the seminar, the groups of educators also visited Jerusalem, including a visit to the Yad Vashem Museum, as part of the in-depth engagement in memory, identity and passing on heritage to future generations.
The seminar concluded after a week of tours and educational encounters throughout Israel – from the Galilee and Golan to the Negev – as a significant educational experience for the participants, combining knowledge, a personal connection and tools for educational work in their communities.