We have extended the deadline to 5pm on 29 October, please see below for how to provide your feedback.
We would like to hear from students and staff about our proposal
The University proposes to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism with the clarifications recommended by the Home Affairs Select Committee and an accompanying statement (see below). We would like to hear from students and staff on whether you agree or disagree with this proposal and if you have any comments or alternative suggestions.
How the consultation process will work
The government has called for universities to adopt the IHRA definition. A number of UK universities have done so, either with or without the Home Affairs Select Committee’s clarifications.
Universities UK (UUK), the representative body for UK universities, has issued guidance which recommends that universities should consider adopting the definition and that it “can help make sure there is an accepted standard to measure antisemitism and assess complaints”. UUK suggests that the IHRA definition should not be seen as restricting free speech or academic freedom, and that universities which choose to adopt it should make sure it is used and understood in combination with other legal duties and protections.
In 2016 the Home Affairs Select Committee proposed that two clarifications should be added to the definition to ensure that freedom of speech is maintained in the context of debate about Israel and Palestine, without allowing antisemitism to permeate that debate. The University proposes to adopt the definition with the clarifications recommended by the Home Affairs Select Committee.
If the definition is adopted, we will issue the statement below to explain how we will use the definition to help us understand how antisemitism manifests itself. The statement also explains that the definition does not override our legal duties and responsibilities in relation to equality, freedom of speech and academic freedom.
How to respond with comments and suggestions
Please send any comments on the proposal to the University Secretary, Peter Garrod (universitysecretary@greenwich.ac.uk) by 5pm on 6 September 2021.
Next steps
The University’s Academic Council and Governing Body will receive a summary of responses to the consultation when they meet again in the autumn. The Governing Body will make the final decision on whether to adopt the IHRA definition in the form proposed.
Proposed statement
IHRA definition of antisemitism
The University of Greenwich is committed to promoting equality and diversity and eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, in accordance with our Equality and Diversity Policy Statement. We are committed to tackling racism in all its forms.
We have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism, with the clarifications recommended in 2016 by the Home Affairs Select Committee, to assist in contextualising, interpreting and understanding antisemitism and how antisemitism may manifest itself in the 21st century. As the IHRA definition itself makes clear, it is not legally binding and it does not affect the statutory definitions of discrimination (including on grounds of religion, belief or race), nor does it override our other legal duties and responsibilities, including those relating to freedom of expression and academic freedom and equality.
