Westminster Abbey backs new Jewish-Christian leadership programme across the Commonwealth
Twenty-five young leaders from eight countries will develop grassroots interfaith projects tackling local challenges
A new international leadership programme bringing together young Jewish and Christian changemakers from across the Commonwealth has launched, with funding from Westminster Abbey.
The Commonwealth Jewish Council (CJC) has selected 25 emerging leaders from eight countries, including the UK, Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe, for a six-week initiative focused on interfaith cooperation and community action.
The programme, which began this week, aims to move beyond dialogue by encouraging participants to develop practical projects addressing social, educational and civic challenges in their own communities.
Organisers say the cohort reflects the diversity of Jewish and Christian communities across the Commonwealth, creating opportunities for participants to build relationships and share experiences while working together on local initiatives.
The online course will feature sessions led by leading figures from the worlds of education, faith, academia and business. Speakers include Clive Lawton OBE JP, executive chair of the Commonwealth Jewish Council and co-founder of Limmud; Michal Oshman, former global head of culture at TikTok and Meta; Dr Rev James Walters, director of the LSE Faith Centre; and interfaith leader Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko OBE.
Participants will also hear from representatives of Camp Sarah Nigeria, a leadership programme supporting young members of Nigeria’s Jewish community.
Daniella Myers, the CJC’s international campaigns director and the programme lead, welcomed the support from Westminster Abbey and highlighted the importance of bringing young people from different faith backgrounds together.
She said: “We are incredibly grateful to Westminster Abbey for believing in and funding this programme. Real, lasting relationships between different faiths don’t just happen in silos. By intentionally bringing together young Jewish and Christian leaders, we are completely changing the conversation.
“This group proves that the next generation of faith leaders isn’t just remarkably diverse, but absolutely determined to take real, collaborative action on the global stage.”
The Commonwealth Jewish Council said the programme was heavily oversubscribed before applications closed for this summer’s intake.
Founded to support Jewish communities across the Commonwealth, the organisation works on interfaith engagement, human rights and community development projects in countries around the world.
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