29.07.

2011 Interview with Firoz Ladak, Executive Director The Edmond De Rothschild Foundation Q) What was the programmes purpose? A) We wanted to strengthen long term relations between Muslim-Jewish relations, but realized that religion is often not the divisive factor in relations between faith communities. As such, we moved away from conventional discourse on faith and opted to start from an area of natural collaboration, which for the AdR Programme was the meeting of the humanities with social entrepreneurship. We were also aware of the major challenges facing the third sector, in particular, sustainability and the effect third sector cuts would have on civil society organizations and social enterprises. As such we focused on business skills development for social entrepreneurs to achieve sustainability in working towards their social goals. Q) Going forward how will the network be sustained and the programme's results secured? A) We are not prescriptive about how the network should stay in touch. Fundamentally, our job is to ensure the group bonds with each other, learns about one another, breaks down misconceptions and appreciates the value of working collaboratively. That group cohesiveness has, however, extended beyond the two week programme. The network has, of its own initiative created an online network the Ariane de Rothschild Fellowship Network that can be found at adrfn.com. This website aims to provide a vibrant online destination for ADR Fellows and alumnae, journalists, and researchers anyone who is seeking information on grassroots actions for social entrepreneurship and Jewish-Muslim dialogue. It also provides a platform for the fellows to promote and support each others social enterprises. The foundation will play a more direct role in securing outcomes and results. The fellows are assessed on their business plans before and after the Fellowship programme, their implementation, as well as on what they have learnt from the humanities lectures and dialogue sessions, through evaluation. Six months after the fellowship, the participants are assessed and selected for joining a 3-4 day intense workshop at ESSEC Business School in Paris. Once again, their business plans, implementation, growth of the person and organisation - all aspects are looked at. The fellows are also asked to make a formal pitch to possible funders. All of this helps us in evaluating the achievement and learnings of this fellowship, which is truly unique as a model for conflict resolution. Q) You say there is need for this kind of interaction in the west, is there similar need for it in the more troubled and directly affected parts of the world to help give direction to the youth facing questions on identity and career? A) I believe social entrepreneurship can play a valuable role in bridging community relations and in community capacity building all over the world. Already the value of social entrepreneurship has been recognised by the Obama administration with its policy to specifically support social entrepreneurship within the Middle East as a means of promoting social and economic development. Social entrepreneurs tend to be motivated not primarily for profit, or necessarily to advance a particular political agenda, but for social benefit and financial viability. As such, there is a natural synergy between social entrepreneurs - irrespective of national and cultural barriers. It is truly becoming a global movement across cultural and political boundaries.

Participant feedback/comments: Shahwiqar Shahin - Programmes Manager, Muslim College London "Loved it! A perfect blend of the best minds in Business, Humanities and Faith. Religion has come back in the twenty-first century." Michelle Lawrence Director, Link Up (UK) UK Non profit Organisation working to overcome racism and divisions in society Intense, amazing, challenging and fun. I've met the most incredible people, each of whom I hope will be with me for life. It may not be very British to say this, but I love them all dearly. Thank you. Alice wood - Director, UK Task Force, set up by Cherie Blair and seeks to increase awareness of the issues facing Arab citizens of Israel amongst the UK Jewish community and beyond: "I feel incredibly privileged to have been given the opportunity to be among such inspiring people - Muslim, Jewish, French, British and American - all of whom want to work together to build a fairer and more cohesive society. The fellowship is a unique model, helping social entrepreneurs refine their business skills whilst creating cross-community dialogue. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I hope to be involved with the network for many years to come." Dan Berelowitz Director, Tzedek An NGO that seeks to raise awareness, educate and mobilise the Jewish community to create a more economically and socially just world, regardless of race or religion. I came with a good idea and AdR has made it great! I didn't dare hope to meet such an exceptional group of people. This is the start of life-long friendships and some seriously innovative, world changing projects. Esu Anahata CEO, The BARKA Foundation, a UN and USAID affiliated NGO focused on grassroots, inter-cultural, community-led development with respect for indigenous culture: "The AdR Fellowship has provided a unique and valuable opportunity to weave together social action and principles of enterprise within a context of inter-cultural dialogue, spirituality and the humanities, from some of the world's foremost experts. The 2-week Fellowship in Cambridge University has introduced a new language and imparted a set of skills with which to communicate. It has enabled us to view our work through the lens of revenue generation and the valuation of social impact. The program's emphasis on the creation of a business plan in creating a sustainable social enterprise has set my organization on a path to sustainability." Rukiyah Khatun Co-Founder, loveLife Generation A youth development organisation that aims to inspire, involve and motivate generations of young people to change the world around them. "This fellowship went beyond the cusp of brilliance with it's truly unique amalgamation of humanities, with the focus on religion and social entrepreneurship. I am now friends with amazing social entrepreneurs who are changing the world as we know it" Reima Yosif Founder, Al-Rawiya Foundation An organisation that seeks to promote womens empowerment through spirituality, art & literature, participation and interfaith compassion. "The AdR Fellowship embodies a space where notions are challenged, assumptions are upturned and where thoughts are in constant flux opening the door of possibilities for dialogue and exchange."