Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Martin will represent the United States at the AJC-CRIF Forum on Antisemitism in Paris on June 5, joining global academic leaders to address rising antisemitism on college campuses. The forum—organized by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions (CRIF)—is the first of its kind, bringing together U.S. and French voices to strengthen civil society responses to antisemitism.
Held at the prestigious Sciences Po in Paris, the summit will feature Martin in a high-profile dialogue with M. Luis Vassy, president of Sciences Po and head of its national governing foundation, moderated by Géraldine Woessner, editor-in-chief of the French news magazine Le Point.
Chancellor Martin brings WashU’s campus experience to the global stage
“At WashU, our highest priority is our students,” said Martin. “We are committed to ensuring that all of our students—and everyone on our campus—can feel safe, welcome and supported.”
He noted the university’s ongoing efforts to uphold free speech while safeguarding students from discrimination and harassment.
“We support free expression, full stop,” he said. “It is a cornerstone of everything we do at WashU and one of the great strengths of our nation’s institutions of higher education. However, with free expression comes a responsibility. We must create an environment rooted in mutual respect, where everyone can feel safe from harassment or discrimination, and where all are free to use their voices. Our policies must be clear and consistently enforced and our core values must be made abundantly clear. Antisemitism and other forms of discrimination simply cannot be tolerated.”
A global dialogue rooted in shared learning
Martin said he looks forward to engaging with university leaders facing similar challenges in their own countries.
“We are always learning and looking for opportunities to improve our policies and processes,” he said. “We know each of the leaders who will be present at this event have faced challenges and dealt with them in the ways that are most appropriate for our respective institutions and communities. We welcome the opportunity to listen, engage and share ideas so we can gain insight into successful strategies for creating supportive and safe environments for our community members.”
Why WashU—and Chancellor Martin—were asked to represent the U.S.
Vice Chancellor Rebecca L. Brown, who will also attend the forum and participate in a session on best practices in higher education, emphasized the significance of Martin’s leadership on the world stage.
“As a leader, Chancellor Martin is strategic, decisive and authentic,” she said. “He has dealt with some significant challenges since becoming chancellor and has faced them with courage and compassion. I believe he was chosen to represent our country at this important event because he is the kind of leader who keeps his focus squarely on our mission while also prioritizing concern for our community and, above all, doing what’s right. This is the type of leadership we need now more than ever.”
Shared goals across the Atlantic: supporting the next generation
Brown said she’s eager to engage with French colleagues and share WashU’s approach while learning from others.
“French and American universities have more in common than not,” she said. “We all are committed to educating our next generation of leaders, solving society’s greatest problems, and building a better world. At the French-American Forum, we’re as interested in learning as we’re looking forward to sharing our own experiences and best practices. In higher education, when one university succeeds, we all succeed. We’re honored to be invited to participate in this important discussion.”
Following the forum, Martin and Brown will join a select delegation for a visit to Normandy, where participants will take part in a D-Day commemoration ceremony and a Shabbat dinner in Deauville.
The Jewish Light will follow up with Martin and Brown after their return from Paris and Normandy to share insights from the forum and their reflections on this historic moment.
