TAU’s Irwin Cotler Fellowship Welcomes Its Most Diverse Cohort Yet

In a time when questions of justice, democracy, and human rights resonate louder than ever, Tel Aviv University’s Irwin Cotler Fellowship Program continues to bring together exceptional international students committed to understanding Israel and the global pursuit of freedom.

Now entering its fourth year, this flagship initiative of the Irwin Cotler Institute for Democracy, Justice and Human Rights has selected 24 fellows from 21 countries for the 2025–2026 academic year, making it its largest and most diverse cohort to date.

Participants hail from India, Turkey, Spain, the United States, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Australia, alongside first-time representatives from South Korea, Kenya, Haiti, China, Liberia, Ghana, and Malta.

Who Are the Cotler Fellows? 

The Cotler Fellowship brings together TAU's international graduate, PhD, and postdoctoral students from multiple disciplines, including law, political science, medicine, biology, sustainable development, diplomacy, and disaster management.  

Fellows participate in academic lectures, practical training workshops, and field studies that expose them to Israel’s history, society, and ongoing democratic debates.

They engage directly with leading intellectuals, scholars, and activists who shape public conversation on human rights and justice.  

Cotler fellows 2024/25 on one of the field trips

Beyond campus, the program emphasizes experiential learning through visits to sites such as Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial and museum. 

What Makes This Year’s Cohort Stand Out? 

According to Irwin Cotler, Canada’s former Minister of Justice and Attorney General — after whom the Institute is named — the expanded cohort reflects the program’s unique role in shaping global human rights ambassadors. 

“Tel Aviv University’s Cotler Institute Fellowship Program has welcomed exemplary students from all over the world to engage in a unique exploration of today’s most critical human rights challenges, and to be shaped as ambassadors of human rights, carrying a deep understanding and appreciation of Jewish history and of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”—Irwin Cotler 

He added that this year’s cohort is “the largest and most diverse to date, which is particularly inspiring given the difficult times we are experiencing.” 

For Ariela Cotler, who founded the Institute with her husband, the fellows’ choice to study in Israel at this moment carries special meaning. “It is not a simple time in the lives of Israelis, or Jews world over,” she reflected.  

“Their interest in deepening their knowledge about Israel’s and the Jewish people’s story, and their choice of studying at Tel Aviv University during these challenging times, makes them all the more special to me.”—Ariela Cotler 

How Do Fellows Describe Their Experience? 

Alumni of the program refer to it as a turning point in their academic and personal development.  “Participating in the fellowship was a meaningful addition to my education,” said Amarah Friedman, an American fellow from the 2024-2025 cohort.  

“Traveling with the group allowed me to visit places I would not otherwise get to see and provided insight into a range of perspectives and opinions different from my own. I value the understanding I have gained about democracy as well as the challenges it faces.”—Amarah Friedman, USA 

Lindsay MacKinnon, a Canadian, called the fellowship “a valuable and eye-opening experience,” adding: “The in-class meetings and discussions were thought-provoking, and the field trips were varied and engaging.”  

“The field trips to Yad Vashem and Ben-Gurion’s house at Sde Boker were particular highlights for me.”—Lindsay MacKinnon, Canada

Antonio Peña (second from the right) with other Cotler fellows on a field trip

Antonio Peña from Colombia emphasized the program’s international diversity: “Being able to learn from engaging lectures by people who play different roles in society and visiting historically significant sites across Israel has provided insights that go beyond traditional study methods.  

“But what went beyond my expectations was the presence of a diverse group of participants from various cultural and professional backgrounds, which made my experience even more engaging and unique.”—Antonio Peña, Colombia  

How Does the Cotler Institute Extend Its Impact? 

Beyond the fellowship, the Irwin Cotler Institute for Democracy, Justice and Human Rights has established itself as a global hub for dialogue on antisemitism, justice, and human rights. 

The Institute co-publishes the Annual Antisemitism Worldwide Report, organizes international conferences, and leads workshops for diplomats, policymakers, and civil society leaders in Israel and abroad.  

Programs have taken place in countries as diverse as Brazil, Japan, Rwanda, Finland, Latvia, Bulgaria, Portugal, and Cyprus, extending the Institute’s reach far beyond Tel Aviv. 

Why Does It Matter? 

The record-breaking size and diversity of this year’s fellowship class highlight not only the Institute’s expanding international recognition, but also the enduring relevance of Israel as a place to confront today’s most pressing questions of justice and democracy.