NSL Alumni Accomplishments
Projects for Change
Projects for Change are social impact initiatives by delegates that are a key element in New Story Leadership. We believe that to change the story you must act in a new way. It’s not just a matter of words. Every delegate proposes, develops and implements a Project with social and economic impact. This shows the practical impact of the program and for the last fifteen years has helped build the momentum for change on the ground.
These projects allow the important work of the summer to continue in the region. Beginning this year, NSL will provide seed money and alumni technical support to selected Projects for Change. The projects described below are a small sample of the important accomplishments of NSL alums.
The Museum of the Palestinian People (MPP)
Located in Washington, D.C., MPP tells the story of the “rich history, vibrant arts, culture, and spirit of a people.” It creates a space where Palestinians can share their story from their personal perspective. By telling the stories of those who knew the region before 1948, the Museum project allows the past to be used as a model for a future where Christians, Muslims, and Jews live together in peace.
For more information, visit: mpp-dc.org
Bshara Nasser, Founder, NSL 2011
Madrasa
Madrasa is a social organization for Israelis to learn spoken Arabic for free, both through technological tools and through bicultural community learning. Israeli Jews learn to communicate with the 22% of Israeli citizens who speak Arabic through a combination of free online courses, diverse content on various new media channels, and practice and discourse groups across the country. Madrasa believes that peace, trust, and co-existence depend upon the ability to communicate with each other, yet currently over 95% of Israeli Jews speak no Arabic.
Over 100,000 registered students learn via Madrasa- secular and religious, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, men and women, from all corners of the political spectrum and all ages. 250,000 different people receive Madrasa daily content on their Facebook page every month, and tens of thousands subscribe to many other learning channels.
For information: www.madrasafree.com
Gilad Sevitt, Co-Founder, NSL 2019
Shades Negotiation Program
The Shades Negotiation Program, under the academic sponsorship of the Harvard Negotiation Project, was designed as a platform for negotiation and leadership training and practice for 30 promising mid-career women and men from across key international stakeholders based in the Middle East.
For more information, visit:
Lior Frankiensztajn | Harvard International Negotiation Program
Lior Frankiensztajn and Walid Issa, Co-Founders, NSL 2011
Other Organizations Founded by NSL Alumni
Alums have established numerous other organizations that foster peace and try to address the divide between peoples. These include: Gaza Plays Peace, Karaoke Talkie, Yalla Yoga, El-Barrio Gym.
NSL Alumni Leaders in All Sectors
NSL’s 100+ alumni assume leadership positions within the public and private sectors in addition to launching peace-building efforts and helping lead organizations performing critical work to address the conflict. NSL Alumni have started and contributed to numerous organizations creating real change on the ground in the region. Examples of their contributions and organizations include:
Media: Sky News Arabia, Al Ghad TV, The New York Times, Al Jazeera, Negev Media.
NGOs and Peace and Human Rights Organizations: Hands of Peace, Peace Now!, Seeds of Peace, Mehazkim, Madrasa (teaching Arabic to Israelis to promote communication and interaction), the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), Israel Fund for UNICEF, Amnesty International, Middle East, You Lead, Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, and the Negev Co-Existence Forum
University and Secondary Education: Al Quds Bard College, Bethlehem University, College des Freres Bethlehem
Business: Monday.com, Amazon, Deloitte consulting, PWC Oman
Government Entities: The Israeli Ministries of Finance, Education, and Tourism, Arab Center for Alternative Planning