for college students by college students
U.N. In Action
GVSU senior joins Jewish students
at Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Zoe Kaufman } jewish@edu writer
D
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76
August 31 • 2017
jn
uring my time studying
abroad in Israel, I had the
opportunity to sit in a ses-
sion of the United Nations Human
Rights Council through an organi-
zation called the European Union
of Jewish Students. I had applied
to be on the delegation.
The EUJS staff treated our del-
egation to an unforgettable week
in Geneva. I have wanted to go to
the U.N. since I was young and
being accepted onto the delega-
tion was a moment I will always
remember.
I flew to Geneva and was
greeted with the warmest of wel-
comes from Jewish students from
all across Europe. Through our
love of Judaism and Israel, I made
friendships that will last a lifetime.
It was an incredible honor to
be at the Human Rights Council
session and observe how nations
voice their opinions on vari-
ous issues. One of my passions
includes international relations,
the field I hope to work in after
graduation. Being at the U.N., after
studying international relations for
the past three years, was a dream
come true. I loved seeing so many
countries and cultures in one
room.
The United Nations Human
Rights Council dedicates an entire
agenda item (No. 7) just for Israel.
At this time, nations and NGOs
voiced their opinions openly and
without interruption or debate; this
can last up to two hours.
One thing that shocked me
was the manner in which nations
discussed Israel. While some of
Israel’s greatest allies such as the
United States, the European Union
and Australia chose not to attend
because of the strong biases that
occur during this session, it was
disappointing that the countries
in attendance were negatively
biased, which was evident in their
speeches.
After attending this session, I felt
inspired to continue advocating for
Israel when I got back to my cam-
pus and within my personal life.
Israel and Jewish education are
incredibly important to me and this
Zoe Kaufman at the U.N. Human
Rights Council in Geneva
conference solidified that. Without
this trip, I would not have been
exposed to international politics
at such a high level. I am just now
beginning to understand the influ-
ence the United Nations Human
Rights Council has and the func-
tions it serves.
Apart from these council ses-
sions, EUJS allowed us time with
professionals in the field, including
Ambassador Aviva Raz Shechter,
permanent representative of Israel
to the U.N., and various NGOs like
Human Rights Watch that work
tirelessly to promote human rights
and fairness among U.N. mem-
ber states at the Human Rights
Council.
All politics aside, I will remem-
ber this trip in a positive light.
Having the opportunity to be an
advocate for Israel at the U.N.
was something that will always
inspire me to continue supporting
our Jewish state. The delegation
to the U.N. also confirmed in me
the drive to further the right kind
of education on Israel that fosters
understanding and education from
both sides. @
Zoe Kaufman of Chicago is a senior at Grand
Valley State University in Allendale and presi-
dent of the GVSU Hillel.