As an organisation committed to understanding, empathy and respect, our hearts are heavy as we continue to hold in our thoughts and prayers all those facing immense suffering in the Holy Land.
The pain reinforces the urgency of our work to foster dialogue and mutual trust between individuals and communities here in the UK.
It is with this in mind that we are focused on expanding our efforts. We are incredibly grateful to have recently received a grant from The National Lottery Reaching Communities fund, which has been instrumental in allowing us to grow. This funding has enabled us to create two new positions on our team.
We were therefore delighted to welcome our new staff members, who formally started with us on our Development Day on 25th June.
This dedicated day provided an excellent opportunity for them to meet several of our trustees and deepen their understanding of our organisation’s work. For our entire team, it was a valuable space for activities focused on team building, strategic reflection, and creating the trust that is essential for our mission.
Please join us in welcoming:
Laura Acosta Varon has joined us as our Development Officer.
Laura has relevant experience as a Project Manager in Colombia’s NGO sector, particularly with victims of the armed conflict. She is currently completing her master’s degree in Development Management at the University of Manchester. As part of her role at FODIP, she will be applying her skills in fundraising, partnership management, marketing, events planning and organizational growth, contributing to enhance FODIP’s strategic development plan.
Shamraiz Khan has joined FODIP as our new Finance Officer.
Shamraiz brings over 16 years of experience in banking and financial services, with a strong focus on ethical finance and financial inclusion. Shamraiz is currently pursuing a Master’s by Research in Islamic Economics and Finance at the University of Bolton. His academic interests closely align with his role at FODIP, where he supports financial oversight and contributes to our mission of faith- based dialogue and social cohesion.
Their unique skills and backgrounds will be invaluable as we move forward. With this strengthened team, we aim to increase our impact and reach more communities across the UK. We look forward to the journey ahead with our expanded team and with your continued support.
Tough Options Moving Forward project – Updates
Summer Exhibition
As the Tough Options Moving Forward project draws to a close in September, participants will have the opportunity to display expressions of the journey, development or further learning they have explored on this project. We will host an exhibition in Manchester, where you see the important work they have been doing, hear their voices and engage with their stories.
House of Lords
Later this year, some of our participants from different faith backgrounds will speak at the House of Lords, where they can share with policy and lawmakers the impact of the crisis in the region on their lives.
More about our most recent events
On April 6th, 2025, FODIP hosted a flag workshop with the theme “Politics, Identity and Symbolism,” featuring our special guest speakers Zizette Darkazally, Associate Fellow, Middle East & North Africa, Chatham House; and Professor Yossi Mekelberg, Professor of International Relations and Associate Fellow of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House.
The hybrid workshop, held both in-person and online, helped participants understand the different symbols that identify Israel and Palestine through a respectful and informative approach.
On June 12th, FODIP hosted an online workshop led by Naomi Head, Professor of International Relations at the University of Glasgow. The workshop, titled “Israel-Palestine: The Implications of Empathy for Navigating Complexity,” helped our participants appreciate the importance of empathy in overcoming conflict-based situations, as well as the role narratives play in shaping our understanding of reality.
I’m a huge fan and supporter of Talk Matters, the work, connections and initiatives they continue to foster, encourage and give exposure to for many grass roots organisations in Israel from both sides of this divided nation at this time. Can change come from the top, we live in hope; can change come from the “ground level” most definitely and Talk Matters are a testament to this vision and other organisations like them working towards a humanitarian outcome to this war and a better future
I’m thrilled to read Talk Matters has received a grant from The National Lottery Reaching Communities fund enabling/allowing TM to grow and create two new positions have been created, Laura Acosta Varon as new Development Officer and Shamraiz Khan as new Finance officer.
It’s great to read about the recent workshops themed “Politics, Identity and Symbolism, and guest speakers that place earlier this year too.
There’s something fundamental I’d like to contribute to the conversation. We are beings that need something, to understand something even to know something about ourselves without which we can become chaotic, greedy and even horrible people. We have reached a high level of intelligence thanks to the growth of education and higher education and yet we can’t get on with one another, differences should be fascinating but instead they’ve become a threat. Our identities are important but not to the extent of one group above another and the mightier wins with superior power. Who are we?
I love and respect all nationalities but fundamentally we’re not that or them, we are something internal, all of us, something quite extraordinary in fact. I’m not talking about an ideal or a utopian philosophy but something more real, something that can be felt, something quite brilliant at the same time humble. And! we need healing, by now so many of us are traumatised by what’s happening in the world.
Could we have speakers at the next forum or workshop to speak on this matter not from an intellectual point of view but an experienced point of view. We are thirsty, the world is thirsty to feel the real thing, maybe the word is “longing”. With best regards, Wallee Mc Donnell