A New Approach to Addressing Antisemitism on College Campuses
A bipartisan effort led by a pro-Israel House Democrat and Republican aims to introduce a groundbreaking legislation that would establish federally sanctioned “antisemitism monitors” for specific college campuses.
Significance of the Initiative
This proposed bill marks a significant milestone as the first legislative response in Congress to the recent surge of pro-Palestinian protests, particularly at institutions like Columbia University.
Key Developments
Representatives Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) are set to unveil the College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability Act, also known as the COLUMBIA Act.
- The legislation empowers the Department of Education to dispatch a “third-party antisemitism monitor” to any federally funded college, with the authority to withhold funding from non-compliant institutions.
- These monitors, funded by the respective colleges, will be responsible for issuing quarterly public reports assessing the efforts made by the institutions in combating antisemitism.
- The initial coverage of this bill was reported by Jewish Insider.
Statement from Rep. Torres: “My office has engaged with numerous Jewish students nationwide who express profound feelings of insecurity solely based on their religious and ethnic background. These students feel abandoned by their university administrations and look to Congress for accountability and protection.”
Broader Context
The introduction of this bill coincides with a broader national discourse on antisemitism and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with college campuses emerging as focal points for these discussions.
- Several House members, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), have visited Columbia University to condemn campus antisemitism and criticize the college’s handling of the situation.
- Notable House progressives have also shown solidarity with demonstrators by visiting various colleges in recent days.
Related
Proposed Legislation: Establishing Antisemitism Oversight in Higher Education
Bloomberg: Riyadh is moving towards reducing the goal of doubling its population by 2030
Riyadh is expected to lower its goal of doubling its population by 2030, as the Saudi capital reshapes plans designed to support the trillion-dollar economic diversification agenda set by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Riyadh is now looking to host 10 million residents by the beginning of the next decade, according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because the information is private.
The current target is about 15 million people, according to the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, which said it is conducting reviews of strategic goals and sectors in the capital.
Saudi Arabia is reconsidering its priorities
This move comes as Saudi Arabia reconsiders its priorities regarding Vision 2030, and the Kingdom is working to transform into a new global center for everything from tourism to mineral exploration and chip manufacturing. It plans to receive influxes of foreign workers and international tourists, which will help the country boost its revenues in a wide range of sectors.
Read more: Bloomberg: Saudi Arabia is arranging its priorities to face the challenges of financing mega projects and the budget
The population of Riyadh is expected to grow by 1.8% this year to reach more than 7.8 million people, and exceed 8.5 million people in 2030, according to estimates by World Population Review. World Statistics Office data also shows that the Kingdom as a whole is home to about 36.5 million people.
Riyadh’s role in economic diversification
Riyadh is considered the backbone of the non-oil economy in the Kingdom, because it is the most densely populated region, and it also includes the offices of several international companies, including Amazon and Microsoft.
The number of new foreign projects in Saudi Arabia increased by 63% last year
The capital is a major focal point for Saudi Arabia’s transformation plan, as it prepares to host the World Expo in 2030 and may witness the events of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
There are huge projects scheduled to be hosted by Riyadh, including Qiddiya Entertainment City, and the “New Square,” a multi-use real estate project, with the development of the new metro network system currently being worked on, as the capital aspires to become more attractive to live in. While meeting the needs of global visitors.
But it is uncertain whether all these projects will be implemented, and the Saudi Finance Minister, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, acknowledged the need for more funding, indicating that there may be a delay or acceleration of some projects.
Related
Bloomberg: Riyadh is moving towards reducing the goal of doubling its population by 2030
University of Mediterranean Studies – Articles – 9 – 10 May | Professional Day 2024
After the success of the last editions of the Professional Day, the University of the Mediterranean, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Reggio Calabria, is once again proposing the XII edition of the event, which will be held at the University Citadel, Engineering Departments area, on the following days 9 and 10 May from 8.30am to 2.30pm.
In the last edition of the Professional Day, held in June 2023, 53 companies were present, who, over the two days, met 3,866 candidates. The 2024 edition includes two important innovations: the participation of the last classes of high schools and a free training course for professionals and companies.
On the site https://www.professionalday-rc.it/it is possible to consult the list of companies present, the profiles requested and the methods of booking interviews.
Over the two days, stations dedicated to individual meetings with companies will be set up in the premises of the Engineering Departments. From 9.00 am on May 9th, the candidates booked for interviews will be welcomed by the staff and accompanied to the workstation.
At the same time, in this first morning, the University will host school students (IV and V) who will have the opportunity to visit the Companies area where interviews will be held with recruiters and candidates to see in a direct and real way how carries out a selection event for the world of work, and then goes to the Engineering Lecture Hall, where the orientation Delegates of the various Departments of the Mediterranean, the representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and a trainer will offer a path on the profiles leaving our University and on the awareness of choice.
In the afternoon of the first day, the training course will be held: Business and Sustainable Wellbeing, lasting approximately 2 hours, aimed at staff, entrepreneurs and recruiters of the companies present.
On the second day, 10 May, discussions with companies will continue.
The Mediterranean University, which through the Job Placement sector takes care of the organization of the Professional Day, has been offering outbound orientation activities to its students, undergraduates and graduates for more than a decade, both with over-the-counter services and through workshops useful for preparing young people to face the world of work once their university experience is over.
Related
University of Mediterranean Studies – Articles – 9 – 10 May | Professional Day 2024