*Draft* Memorandum of Understanding
Between Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and MUN Students for Palestine.
Introduction
Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (“Memorial”) as represented by __________and MUN Students For Palestine as represented by _________hereby enter into this memorandum of understanding and agreement as of _____, 2024 in _____.
In January of this year, The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s military operations in Gaza may plausibly constitute genocide. Numerous human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Doctors Without Borders have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and have condemned the actions and policies of the Israeli government.
Around the world, student movements are demanding that their universities and other institutions divest from Israel, from weapons manufacturers, and from entities tied to grave violations of human rights. The students of Memorial University are adding their voices to this call. We do not believe that places of learning should be tied to such entities and we, collectively, do not wish to be complicit in the violence.
Objectives
The objective of this MoU is to outline tangible steps which MUN Students for Palestine and Memorial can take to respond to the ongoing genocide in Palestine and to ensure that our university is not complicit in this or other human rights violations.
A. EDI-AR in Governance
Memorial will
Take meaningful actions to fulfill prior commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism
Fulfill its commitment under the Scarborough Charter to ensure that the university EDI-AR portfolio permeates “all levels of governance”. This may include changes to position representatives of the EDI-AR portfolio in positions with the authority to make decisions such as on the Board of Regents and/or the President's Executive Council
Ensure Memorial’s EDI-AR portfolio is actively involved in the oversight of points B through F below
B. Disclosure
Memorial will commit to a thorough review of all of its invested assets including endowment, non endowment, and pension funds and to full disclosure of any direct or indirect investments in arms manufacturers or entities complicit in Israeli human rights violations including but not limited to those outlined in the UN and AFSC lists as per Appendix A.
Disclosure of any relevant direct investments will be no later than ___________
Disclosure of any relevant indirect or pooled investments will be no later than _______
C. Divestment
Memorial commits to the following
Sell direct investments in stocks or bonds in any weapons manufacturers or other entities highlighted for divestment as per the UN and AFSC lists included in Appendix A. complete this by __________
Adopt an Investment Policy Statement with a commitment to divest from companies that facilitate and enable human rights violations and violations of international law as part of prolonged military occupations, apartheid, and genocide. This includes but is not limited to entities complicit in Israel’s ongoing campaign of genocide in Palestine. This Investment Policy Statement will be adopted by __________
Engage with investment managers to develop a process and timeline to divest any indirect or pooled funds that do not comply with the above noted policy. This divestment will be completed by _________
Create a process to periodically review investments to ensure they remain aligned with the policy.
D. Boycott
Memorial commits to conduct an internal review of any ongoing ties between Memorial and any weapons manufacturers or entities complicit in Israeli violations of human rights, violations of international law, or apartheid. This includes any contracts for purchase of products or services, as well as any study abroad, work term, or scholarship opportunities facilitated or promoted by Memorial. Namely, this review should include but is not limited to any entities listed in the UN or AFSC lists as cited in Appendix A. It should also include Kraken Robotics Inc until such a time when that company can demonstrate that its operations do not meet the criteria set out here. This review will be completed by __________
Memorial commits to cut ties with any relevant entities that are identified by the above noted review by ___________
E. Statement
Representatives from Memorial and representatives from MUN Students for Palestine commit to work collaboratively to craft a public statement condemning the ongoing genocide, scholasticide and expressing our commitment to supporting peace and human rights
The mutually agreed upon statement will be shared publicly via Memorial’s webpage and via MUN Student for Palestine Instagram page.
F. Support rebuilding of Palestinian universities and scholarship
Memorial will engage with students and faculty to explore opportunities to support the rebuilding of Palestinian scholarship. This may include facilitating opportunities for Palestinian professors at Memorial, scholarships for Palestinian students to attend Memorial, or other avenues.
Settlement of Disputes
Any disputes regarding the interpretation or implementation of this MoU will be resolved only by consultation among the participants and will not be referred to any other third party for settlement.
Amendment
This MoU may be amended with the mutual written consent of the participants.
Contact Information (List all partners’ contact information)
Appendix A
[Full documents to be inserted]