Shalom Magazine for the Alumni of MASHAV Training Courses is

published by Haigud Society for Transfer of Technology.

Haigud, a government company and non-profit organization, serves

as the financial and administrative arm of MASHAV, and functions as a

professional unit to assist in the implementation of MASHAV activities.

MASHAVCenter for International

Cooperation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

State of Israel

CO

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EN

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CONTENTS

1 FROM THE DESK OF THE HEAD OF MASHAVHAIM DIVON

3 FARMING FOR FOOD SECURITY

YITZHAK ABT

9 WOMEN LEADERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES AT MCTC

YVONNE LIPMAN

12 LOOKING BACKWARD, LOOKING FORWARD: THINKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT

DR. YEHUDAH PAZ

18 ROLLING THE WHEEL OF DEVELOPMENT FORWARD

JULIA MARGULIES

21 SEXUAL HEALTH AND AIDS PREVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS

ANITA NUDELMAN

24 MARKING 50 YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

AVNIT RIFKIN

28 SHALOM CLUBS

30 MASHAV NEWS

39 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FROM THE DESK OF THE HEAD OF MASHAV

MARKING 50 YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

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MASHAV – Israel's Center for International Cooperation, which was

established in 1957, reflects, first and foremost, an ideological and moral

commitment to share know how and expertise with other young emerging

countries and the long standing tradition of extending a helping hand to

the underprivileged.

Golda Meir, who was Israel’s Foreign Minister at the time, visited Africa

in 1958. Following the visit she was determined to turn the Center into a

strong and effective National Aid Agency of the State of Israel, responsible

for designing and implementing human and institutional capacity building

programs in a variety of subjects in more than 130 countries around the

world.

It was not so long ago that Israel was a developing country, facing its

own development challenges. With the help of the international community

and the Jewish Diaspora, Israel experienced rapid growth and transformed

subsistence agriculture into an advanced, modern and efficient economy.

We remember the assistance given to us as a country undergoing the

development process, and for this reason we understand that no country or

region can successfully overcome poverty on its own. We are all linked. We

all share the same planet.

This year marks MASHAV’s 50th anniversary. An International

Conference for Women’s Leadership for Sustainable Development was

the first event to mark MASHAV’s “golden jubilee”, since we believe that

without the empowerment of women in all walks of life we shall never be

able to achieve the Millennium Goals. The conference was organized by and

held at the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC)

in Haifa in cooperation with UNESCO. The President of Liberia, H.E. Ellen

Johnson-Sirleaf; the UN’s Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro;

and Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Tzipi

Livni, opened the conference. In addition women leaders from 39 countries

were in attendance.

Another major event of MASHAV’s anniversary was the International

Conference on “Israel and the African Green Revolution” which was held at

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem. This conference was a reflection

of Israel’s longstanding commitment to the African continent. Prof. Jeffrey

Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, New York,

and Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on the

Millennium Development Goals, was the keynote speaker at the Conference.

Distinguished speakers at the conference also included Dr. William D. Dar,

Director General of ICRISAT (the International Crops Research Institute for

Semi-Arid Tropics); Mr. Gilbert Houngebo, Director Regional Bureau for

Africa, UNDP, New York; and Ms. Federica Marzo, OECD Center, Paris.

The shared goal to halve poverty by 2015 is not insurmountable.

However it is unattainable without new and bold ideas, increased funding,

and coherent pro-poor policies at the international level. MASHAV will

continue its efforts to develop innovative and affordable technologies and

solutions to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, striving for proper all

inclusive access to health care and education, gender equality and the

empowerment of women.

MASHAV will continue to put special emphasis on programs in the

Middle East. Cooperation between countries of this region, will – no doubt

– lead to better understanding of each other, to prosperity shared by all,

to peace and stability. We believe that development cooperation can and

should be used to forge bonds of peaceful cooperation. The joint programs

which are being carried out with Palestinian, Jordanian, Israeli and

Egyptian experts serve as a sound testimony to this notion.

These are worrisome times. The present global financial crisis which is

a devastating addition to the food, energy and climate change crises, poses

enormous challenges for each and every one of us. This is the time to work

in unison and to strengthen our collective determination and commitment

to the development efforts. We must do our utmost to make sure that these

efforts will not be hampered by the current constraints knowing that the

impact of these crises and the response should be targeting both immediate

needs and long term solutions.

HAIM DIVONDeputy Director General

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Head of MASHAV

2

The President of Liberia, H.E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; the President

of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres and Ambassador Divon

T

FARMING FOR FOOD SECURITY

YITZHAK ABT

3

The writer is a Senior Agricultural Consultant to MASHAV and to the Peres Center for Peace.

The present food-commodity crisis, relating particularly to basic grains (rice, wheat,

maize and pulses) is due to a combination of factors: climate change, fuel prices, and rapid

urbanization, including rural exodus and peri-urban informal settlement.

Food demand in India and China is rapidly restricting basic grain commodity trading,

hence the continuous rise in prices. The replacement of grain uses for bio-fuel instead of

food has led to a reduced grain supply to the global food basket, resulting to steeped prices

of basic foods. The most affected sectors are the subsistence communities, particularly in

Africa. Millions of people in these communities are not able to supplement their meager food

basket with purchased grains.

MASHAV, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Center for International Cooperation, has,

over the last five decades, promoted, taught and introduced technologies that can nurture

the transition required from subsistence to diversified and market-oriented agriculture, not

only to enhance family cash income, but also to improve family nutrition. Under present

conditions of high food and grain prices, the survival and welfare of rural, peri-urban and

urban masses is endangered. A major challenge facing Africa is to improve and provide an

acceptable caloric intake to its vast population.

The problem of contemporary global agricultural production is compounded by shortages

of water and changing rainfall patterns, which call for a new mindset regarding how to best

develop and utilize water resources for food and fiber production.

The key to breaking the vicious cycle of subsistence agriculture-based poverty is to introduce

intermediate technologies that can be applied to the human factor in needy communities,

to assist these communities in growing adequate food for their own consumption, and,

perhaps, a bit extra for bartering and sale. Research and development linked to enhanced

rural education programs is a key factor in creating a new generation of farmers, and one

which can be effectively implemented in thousands of schools in Africa.

The main thrust of such programs is to improve the fertility of the soil; prevent aquifer

contamination (eutrophication); use disease-free planting materials; and mulch soil to

reduce wind and water erosion and maintain soil moisture. In addition, agro-forestry based

on planting trees of economic value; semi-intensive livestock production, to supplement

family nutrition; and low-cost post-harvest care and storage systems, further increase

sustenance and communal development. In this model, community participation and

technological leadership is part of the equation. These are but a few examples of what can

be done. Below, in a bit more detail: The introduction of goat and other small livestock enterprises, which are comparatively

low-cost, based on breeds resistant to arid and high temperature conditions. Such

4

programs would be conceived as semi-intensive

management systems. The purpose, for instance, of

raising goats, would be to improve nutritional levels by

producing milk under hygienic conditions.

The introduction of a program to encourage the partial

replacement of basic grain commodities with potatoes,

sweet potatoes and other tubers. Such programs

are particularly relevant to the highlands of Kenya,

Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria and southern Africa. The

key for success is to provide indigenous clean planting

material (tissue culture, in vitro, for propagation.) The

replacement of basic grains with tubers is a practical

means for substituting grain calories, minerals and

vitamins.

The promotion of open low-cost shaded scavenger

poultry hens to provide eggs, primarily to enhance

maternal, fetal, and infant requirements of protein, in

particular relating to infant brain development (e.g.

Omega 3 intake).

The promotion of beekeeping, in order to stimulate

plant pollination and simultaneously provide honey,

both for enriching the subsistence food basket, and for

THE AFRICAN MARKET GARDEN (AMG):INTENSIVE HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR SMALLHOLDERS

The African Market Garden (AMG) is a small-scale

horticultural production package developed by Israeli

experts, based on low-pressure drip-irrigation, a mix

of annual and tree crops, and an “operating system”

which leads the farmer to irrigate according to

scientific principles.

The benefits of using the AMG system include higher

yields of improved quality vegetables and fruits,

the ability to produce crops year round, the most

efficient utilization of water resources, decreased labor

requirements for irrigation and weeding, and greater

likelihood of maintaining the productive capacity of

the soil. The hardware components of the AMG system

are a concrete reservoir, the plastic drip irrigation kit

(a basic unit covers an area of 500 m2), and a water

pump.

In much of semi-arid Africa, gardens for the production

of vegetables, tubers, and fruit for the family and for

the markets, are usually the only form of irrigated

agriculture. The mix of crops allows households to

meet their own needs and sell excess in local markets.

The size of market gardens ranges from tens of square

meters to a few thousand square meters.

Some constraints of present systems are that: Irrigation is labor intensive;

Poor water and nutrient management result in low

and inferior quality yields;

There is a limited production period due to

unfavorable climatic conditions and unavailability

of labor during the rainy season;

There are negative environmental impacts due to

soil salinity and groundwater in surface irrigated

systems.

The African Market Garden overcomes many of these

constraints. It results in a drastic saving in the labor

required for irrigation, and brings marked increases

in yields and improvements in quality. It optimizes the

use of problematic soils, minimizes soil and ground

water contamination and, in semi-arid Africa, it

facilitates the extension of the production season from

the present 5 months of the year to 9 months of the

year. The components of the AMG are the Irrigation

System, the Crop Mix, and the Operating System,

described below:

THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM:The reservoir and the irrigation kit combine to make

up the irrigation system. The reservoir capacity is

determined by the size of the field to be irrigated,

and the long-term evapotranspiration averages in the

BOXI

4 5

region. It is the calibration between these factors that

allows the farmer to irrigate according to scientific

principles even though he/she is not aware of them.

An inexpensive and effective system for building

reservoirs from concrete rings has been developed.

THE IRRIGATION KIT:The irrigation kit uses the pressure of gravity from

a height of one meter to distribute water evenly

throughout a field, and allows: Maintenance of low soil moisture tension and

ample soil aeration;

Water application based on crop

evapotranspiration;

Application of nutrients based on crop demand.

The basic low-pressure drip irrigation kit is composed

of taps, a filter, the main distribution line, and 500

1000 meters of laterals (in which the drippers are

embedded).

THE CROP MIX:The date palm is the anchor of the AMG crop mix

in the Sahelian countries, with 9 trees in a typical

500 m2 garden. There are many reasons for their

incorporation: Date palms are heat loving trees so the Sahelian

climate presents an advantage;

There is a market demand for dates, currently met in

good measure by the import of inferior quality fruit

from the countries to the north;

The strong local demand finds expression in high

prices, meaning good income for the farmer;

Dates can be consumed fresh, or can be dried, thus

contributing to food security;

The partial shade created by the tall date palm

creates an improved microclimate for vegetables,

and for smaller fruit trees growing underneath.

THE OPERATING SYSTEM:Irrigation and plant nutrition management, as follows:

Irrigation water is applied every day. It takes 3-4

hours to complete an irrigation cycle. The continuous

maintenance of low soil moisture tension (due to the

lengthy irrigation period) results, particularly in sandy

soils, in higher growth rates and hence in higher

yields.

Under low-pressure discharge, water moves mainly

horizontally resulting in very little vertical leaching

of nutrients. This special characteristic eliminates the

need to apply soluble fertilizer in the water with every

irrigation event (as practiced in conventional drip

systems).

MAINTENANCE:System maintenance is confined to daily cleaning of

the filter prior to irrigation, and periodical flushing of

the reservoir and laterals.

generating a supplementary cash income. At present,

the world is facing a major scourge of beehive colony

collapse due to a recently identified virus which is

depleting the bee population in beehives throughout

the world. This problem is affecting pollination of basic

grains, tubers and fruit and is causing a lowering of

yields in both developed and developing countries.

The annual global damage of this problem is said to be

some 15 billion dollars. MASHAV has always supported

beekeeping particularly in Africa and it now requires

the scientific cooperation of reputed international

researchers to overcome this very serious problem.

The introduction of rudimentary fish pond culture by

cultivating resilient fish varieties that have a favorable

feed-flesh ratio, as a source of cheap animal protein and

valuable Omega 3 supplements. The catfish (Clarias)

can be easily grown due to its resistance to harsh

environmental conditions. Such a program requires

R&D to improve marine fertility and feeding regimes.

The improvement of soil fertility by applying mulching

systems and cultivating earth worms to produce organic

fertilizer. This type of intermediate technology is an

important aspect of reducing the contamination of

System maintenance is confined to daily cleaning of

the filter prior to irrigation, and periodical flushing of

The introduction of rudimentary fish pond culture by

cultivating resilient fish varieties that have a favorable

6 7

groundwater. These methods can provide substantial

cash savings on fertilizers, particularly for vegetable and

fruit tree gardens.

Clustered development of African Market Gardens, based

on low-cost drip-irrigation, particularly for producing

vegetables and fruits on small holdings of 500-1000

square meters, which – with adequate extension – can

sustain the nutritional requirements of a 6-member

family at an acceptable daily caloric intake per person.

This system can be linked in peri-urban areas to the

use of secondary treated wastewater, especially for the

production of economic tree crops. [See box I].

A promising window of opportunity exists to develop

organic agriculture in Africa based on the replacement of

chemicals to organic inputs. Global markets for organic

agriculture commodities are becoming attractive and

some countries in Africa have grasped this opportunity

to nurture organic farming practices in order to save

imported chemicals inputs and revitalize small scale

family farming. [See box II].

The propagation and planting of valuable trees,

particularly in semi-arid Africa, to ameliorate degraded

lands and provide new products of major nutritional

and industrial uses. The MASHAV-supported program

IPALAC (International Program for Arid Land Crops) has

been involved in the screening of many tree-species

and varieties for adaptation to the semi-arid tropics.

To date, the most promising tree species are Pomme

du Sahel, Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Fig, Marula,

Papaya, Gum Arabica, Hibiscus, and Date. Many of the

fruits which grow on said trees have nutritional value,

as do the leaves of the trees, and these can provide

important medical supplements. The Moringa tree has

promising potential based on indigenous knowledge of

its benefits in feeding fresh and in using its dried leaves

for lengthening the lactation period of women, and in

providing important micro-elements for infants.

For some years, MASHAV has sought an operative method

of linking small farms to larger commercial farm units.

The latter would be the engine of commercial agriculture,

quality production, and would provide units for post-

harvest care, including storage. This implies the promotion

of managed farm enterprises linking large scale farming

with numerous clusters of family farms, which would

produce products that can be profitable both for the small

scale farmer and the commercial enterprise.

This approach is especially relevant to higher value

vegetable and fruit producers, as well as to small

livestock (goats, sheep, pigs, etc.) farmers.

The advantage of this system would be

ORGANIC FARMING FOR AFRICA

A number of countries in Africa are promoting

innovations in organic farming. Based on data

submitted by a senior Israeli organic farming

expert Uri Adler, we learn that in Uganda

over 120,000 hectares are being cultivated

by 33,000 small farmers and in Kenya, over

185,000 hectares are being cultivated in 30,000

small farms. A similar situation is encountered

in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Swaziland and

South Africa. This has resulted in the marketing

of organic coffee, cocoa, sesame, tropical

fruits, spices, all for which export markets

have been found. By training and educating

young farmers in organic farming practices,

basic plant requirements and the timeliness of

cultivation can be effectively achieved a win-

win situation.

BOX II

Introducing sub-tropical and high-quality genetic material:

Growing scions in a nursery in Ethiopia

6 7

“FARMERS OF THE FUTURE”A PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURE EDUCATION

IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Agriculture education in schools is not a new idea. It was practiced in a large number of schools during the Sixties and Seventies. However, towards the end of the Twentieth Century, this program faded away. A major flaw of the program had been the lack of incentives for both the teachers and their students. On many occasions, the students viewed work in the school garden as a punishment.

A well-planned program that takes into consideration the need for incentives – and the introduction of practical skills that can be used by these future farmers – should result in the creation of a “new farmer,” who will easily adopt new technologies, plant new crops, and initiate new production systems.

Our goal is the creation of a new generation of farmers who will be able to adopt new approaches to agriculture production will move the industry out of its present non-sustainable subsistence status, towards becoming a market-oriented sustainable undertaking.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: To produce a syllabus for a hands-on farming

education program in primary schools;

To train teachers on the implementation of the program;

To initiate a pilot program of agriculture education in a large number of village schools in order to study, verify, modify and improve the program in preparation for its adoption on a national scale.

PROGRAM PLAN: Production of a syllabus for teacher training

and one for student education by a group of educators and agricultural experts;

Production of teaching material (books, pamphlets, etc.) based on the syllabus;

Establishment of a center for teacher education;

Building school gardens that include: a water-well equipped with a motor pump and a treadle pump; an African Market Garden; plantations of valuable trees; a household livestock enclosure; a tree nursery and plant-product processing corner;

Education for entrepreneurship: training in processing agricultural products into commercial ones (soap production, processing medicines from plants, food preservation, milk products); training in selling agricultural products in village markets; investment of revenues from sales.

Environmental awareness: causes and effects of land degradation; importance of conserving biodiversity; coping with droughts; maintenance of environmentally sustainable production systems

The school agriculture program should help create a new generation of farmers, aware of the environment and receptive to technological innovation. This new generation will be more eager to adopt intensive farming systems and to better sustain the environment than the present farming community. Parents’ participation in the program will help change attitudes of present-day farmers to the environment, to diversification, and to the merits of school education for their children.

7

A PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURE EDUCATION

BOXIII

8

the research and development techniques being brought

nearer to the production source, by locating such activities

on the commercial farm. Similarly, such commercial farms

would be the source of supplying farm inputs including

planting material to the small holders at the periphery

of the commercial entity. In this way, grading facilities,

packing houses, storage, and an efficient transport delivery

system can be provided. Such arrangements would require,

in some cases, public financial incentives.

MASHAV seeks to initiate its program, “Farmers of the Future,” based on a selection of schools in the different sub-

regions of Africa, where youngsters can be exposed to the

results of research and development that can have direct

meaning to the clan and individual family [See box III]. The eight initiatives mentioned above can be effectively

demonstrated and taught on parcels of 5-10 hectare at each

school. A dynamic, practical and theoretical study program

can then be effectively implemented. This, of course,

implies the employment of teachers, leading farmers and

extension personnel, backed by an ongoing research and

develpment team.

Acknowledgment: This article was inspired by a long standing cooperation with professor emeritus Dov Pasternak who is presently working as principal researcher at the ICRISAT R&D Center in Niger

Ambassador Haim Divon, Head of MASHAV visiting

the AMG Project in Senegal

Irrigation of high value crops such as vegetables and fruit

is an exceptional tool for poverty alleviation. The AMG

low-pressure drip irrigation system is integrated with a full

management package

Drip irrigation facilitates year round production of

vegetables and fruits

I

9

WOMEN LEADERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES AT MCTC

YVONNE LIPMAN

Thus was born the Mount Carmel International Training

Center (MCTC) – the first women’s center ever to deal with

socio-economic affairs and early childhood education.

Mina Ben-Zvi became its Founding Director, a post she held

for twenty six years until her retirement in 1987, when her

Deputy, Fannette Modek, directed the Center for a further

decade. The current incumbent, taking the center into the

twenty first century, is Mazal Renford.

Just as the establishment of MCTC was inspired by the

very first International Women Leaders’ Seminar in

1961, seminars, symposia and conferences on topics of

universal concern remain a regular part of the Center’s

calendar of events. Held annually for the first few years,

the International Conferences for Women Leaders

continue at present to be convened biennially for women

who are active in public affairs, from both developing

and industrialized countries. Their main purpose is to

provide a forum for exchanges of views and experiences on

development themes of current interest for women active in

public life in the developing and industrialized countries,

often on topics declared by the United Nations to be of

international concern.

Since 1961, women leaders have met at MCTC to discuss

a varied range of topics. The years 1975-1985 marked the

Women’s Decade of the United Nations, by which time the

MCTC International Women’s Leaders Conferences were a

regular feature on the international landscape. The topics

discussed in those years were all part of an awakening

in the country, and the world, to the new atmosphere of

inclusive enlightenment. Alongside this, in Israel, came a

burst of legislation assuring the equality of women before

the law.

The Directors of MCTC have traditionally been members

of Soroptimist International of Europe − a women’s

organization working for the goals of friendship and

mutual support among women the world over. This, in turn,

has manifested itself in representation from Soroptimist

members at MCTC Seminars and Conferences, their

presence on the seminar steering committees, and regular

financial support by the German Union of SI/E for the

biennial Conferences.

If the symposium topic was guided by United Nations

agenda, the planning of MCTC’s annual program was

combined with the theme of the International Conference.

Hence, for example, the UN’s ‘Year of the Child’ led to

the Symposium on ‘Childhood, Culture and Community’

in 1979; and the UN’s ‘Year of the Elderly’ inspired the

Symposium ‘From Generation to Generation – Interaction

between the Elderly and the Young’ in 1982.

In more recent years, MCTC has sought cooperation with

In the spring of 1961, sixty-six women participants from African, Asian and Mediterranean countries met in the Israeli port city of Haifa to take part in a six-week-long seminar on “The Role of Women in a Developing Society.” The international gathering was held at the initiative of Foreign Minister Golda Meir, with support from her colleague, Mina Ben-Zvi, former Head of the Women’s Corps in the Israeli army, and with the backing of the Swedish Ambassador to Israel, Inga Thorsson. The Seminar culminated in a Declaration, signed by the participants. They proposed:

“Establishing a center in Israel with a secretariat to serve as a clearing and forwarding agency, collecting suggestions, material and requests; promoting future national and international activities for the advancement of women.”

10 11

““

together”. Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary General

of the United Nations, returned to Israel especially to open

the event, having represented Tanzania at the previous

International Women Leaders’ Conference, in 2005.

The 70 distinguished high-level leaders represented 39

countries and 5 international organizations, and included

government ministers, former or deputy ministers, and

parliamentarians. Many professional women from the

academic, legal, scientific and business worlds participated,

as well as senior officials from UNESCO, UNIFEM, INSTRAW,

the World Bank, and WEDO.

They debated and discussed the issues of Natural

Resources and Sustainable Development; Human Resource

Development; Strengthening Institutional Resources,

and developing a global partnership for sustainable

development, making their views heard and bringing

examples from the best practices in their countries or

international organizations.

Four energetic sessions and 25 presentations later,

a Declaration was put to the Plenary and vigorously

debated and adopted. Received with great enthusiasm,

the Declaration was widely disseminated throughout

the countries represented at the Conference. In sending

it to the UNESCO Director General, UNESCO’s Assistant

Director-General for Strategic Planning, Mr. Hans d’Orville,

recommended that it also be presented to the Secretary-

General of the UN, and to the Presidents of the UN General

Assembly and of ECOSOC ‘both of which are routinely

seized with gender issues and sustainable development’.

In addition to the intense intellectual deliberations during

the Plenary Sessions, delegates had the opportunity to tour

parts of the country, to meet with women business leaders,

parliamentarians, captains of industry, and city mayors,

all of whom opened their doors and generously hosted the

women leaders.

The Conference culminated in a visit to the Knesset (Israeli

Parliament), followed by a Reception at the President’s

Residence, where the President of the State of Israel, H.E.

Shimon Peres, welcomed the group with warmth and

enthusiasm. He drew attention to the fact that “we now live

in a world where borders are disappearing and distances

are less important” and that “in a democracy, every person

has the equal right to be different”. On behalf of the

delegates, Hon. Dr. Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, M.P., First Lady,

Ivory Coast, expressed a feeling of privilege to be present

at a Conference to which representatives of the whole world

came and enabled such plurality of high-level discourse.

international organizations and its biennial conferences

have been brought into the twenty-first century with

such an illustrious partner as the IOM (The International

Organization for Migration), jointly organizing the

International Conference on ‘Migration and Gender Issues

Within the Millennium Development Goals’ in 2005.

In 2007, in the celebrations opening the 50th year of

MASHAV’s international development activities, pride

of place was given to the MCTC 2007 International

Women’s Leadership Conference on ‘Women’s Leadership

for Sustainable Development,’ held in cooperation with

MASHAV and the UNESCO Section for Women and Gender

Equality, Bureau of Strategic Planning. Held in Jerusalem

and Haifa over a 5 day period in late November, the

Conference was attended by an impressive group of world

leaders, and opened by the President of the Republic of

Liberia, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who gave the Keynote

inaugural address. Sirleaf described women as “the nuts

and bolts that hold the chain of sustainable development

We women of the world must participate in the necessary war – not against men – but against poverty, ignorance, inequality and injustice. We women are not better than our men, but we are too good for our own countries and the world to do without our active participation in the struggle for peace and development.

Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel 1969-1974

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Delegates from the 2007 Women’s Leaders Conference with the President of the State of Israel,

Shimon Peres, at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem

46 YEARS OF CONFERENCES FOR WOMEN LEADERS

Community Leaders 1961 � The Role of Voluntary Organizations in the Development of the

Community 1963 � Social and Cultural Integration in Urban Areas 1964 � Eradication of

Illiteracy Amongst Women 1966 � Participation of Women in Social and Educational Development

1968 � Contribution of Women to the Advancement of Developing Countries 1969 � The

Contribution of Women to Development 1970 � Changing Needs in the Education of Women

(Symposium with former seminar participants to evaluate The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International

Training Center’s 1st decade of activities) 1971 � Mass Communication and Development

– Activating Women in the Process of Social Change 1973 � Partnership of Men and Women in

National Development 1975 � Voluntary Action in Development of Society 1977 � Childhood,

Culture and Community 1979 � From Generation to Generation – Interaction between the Elderly

and the Young 1982 � Adult Education – New Trends in the Education and Occupation of Women

1985 � Women’s Share in Promoting Peace and Development 1986 � Our Common Future

– Women in Non-Traditional Occupations Towards 2000-1990 � Women, Family and Society 1994

� Women, Development and Public Policy 1995 � Economic Development, Entrepreneurship

and Gender 1996 � Women’s Leadership – Help Women Help Themselves (in cooperation

with International Council of Women and Soroptimist International) 1998 � The Impact

of Women’s Training on Socio-Economic Development (Symposium, with former participants

to review 4 decades of activities of The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training

Center) 2001 � Women’s Voice in Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building (in cooperation

with Soroptimist International, Israel) 2003 � Migration and Gender Issues within the

Millennium Development Goals (in cooperation with IOM and CIMI) 2005 � Women’s

Leadership for Sustainable Development (in cooperation with UNESCO) 2007

LOOKING BACKWARD, LOOKING FORWARD: THINKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT

TDR. YEHUDAH PAZ

12

The writer is the founder and Chairperson of the Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development (NISPED)

These notes are written while marking MASHAV’s 50th anniversary. This milestone provides an

appropriate point of reference from which to both look backward with pride and forward with

hope. It is a place to pause in thought before once again taking up the challenge of forging the

most appropriate blend of continuity and change. I am grateful for the opportunity given to me to

add my thoughts in the form of a wide-ranging overview; equally, I am grateful for the freedom of

theme and generosity of scope allotted me by the editor, which I utilize in fulsome measure.

Nostalgia is of course the greatest temptation for one whose involvement in Israel’s development

cooperation activity stretches back over several decades. The richness of experience – people,

places, programs; the joys of hopes realized and also the occasional pain of plans gone awry; the

pulse of creative interaction with literally tens of thousands of men and women drawn from more

than three-quarters of the 192 member-countries of the United Nations; the myriads of stories and

anecdotes, of reports and discussions, of creative collaborations and yes, of bitter disagreements

– all, all pull in that direction. Interesting as these might prove to be, the temptation will be

resisted.

In place of nostalgia, I will set out some thoughts on three distinct but related themes. First, some

notes on the roots of Israel’s development activity. No, this is not nostalgia under another name;

it is an attempt to look at those source-roots which reflect matters specifically Israeli, in addition

to those we share with others.

Next, a few notes on sustainable human development, most particularly about those approaches

and understandings which underlie the work of NISPED (the Negev Institute for Strategies

of Peace and Development – my own operative base) in this field. Those chosen (out of the

multitude available) are, in my view, not only significant for development generally considered,

but have also been of relevance to Israel’s own development experience.

Finally, some thoughts as to how to strengthen Israel’s contribution to global development

goals, and to further the work of MASHAV, will be put forward. In so doing, we will be, inevitably,

looking backward and looking forward at the same time.

While there will be remarks on several aspects of sustainable human development, these will

necessarily leave out much of importance. Further, requisite compression leads inevitably to an

overdose of generalizations, often too broad or insufficiently explicated. For these lacunae (and

others as well), my apologies, and a promise of future additions.

SEEKING THE ROOTS: ISRAEL AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

One of the most immediately apparent aspects of Israel’s more-than-fifty-year involvement in

13

development cooperation is the fact that its intensity and

scope is highly disproportionate both to the size of the

country and to its complex political, economic and security

realities.

Israel is, even today, a small country, with only seven million

citizens. It has gone through an intensive development

process; when it was born 60 years ago it was a clearly a

developing country. Its agricultural sector faced challenges

which included poor soil, semi-arid rainfall levels and a

population largely unskilled in relevant areas. Industrial

development was in its infancy, services were fragmentary

and the general standard of living was well below that of

the industrialized nations. The security challenges were

existential in nature and over the decades included major

wars as well as ongoing outbursts of violence.

Further, Israel undertook a massive program of immigrant

absorption; thus, in the first five years of its existence, the

number of new immigrants was greater than 100% of the

initial population. In spite of all this and by dint of great

effort, Israel has succeeded in reaching a significant level

of development. It now possesses a modern economy, in

which sophisticated industries, research and development

undertakings, and high-tech initiatives all play a central

role. Its agriculture is of the highest agro-technical

standard, and this, combined with rural non-agricultural

development, has led to the elimination, of rural poverty

and of rural-urban income divergences.

Annual per capita income is above $20,000 and Israel

is about to become an OECD member. Human resource

development, including education, housing and health

is of a generally high standard. Israel is a functioning

democracy; culture flourishes. A success story, yes,

though not without its blemishes and serious problems in

economic, social and political spheres and of course, the

stark and menacing background of the as-yet-unachieved

peace. But a success story nonetheless.

For our theme, two issues of interest emerge. What of the Israeli development experience is of relevance to the general, global issue of sustainable human development? To this question, we will return below. Secondly, what led this country to concern itself with extensive programs of international development cooperation, despite its limited size and almost unlimited range of problems? Here we hazard an approach to an answer.

It is of interest to note that Israel’s development-

cooperation activity began in its earliest days, in fact during

its first decade of existence. The rationale put forward at

the time for this undertaking found expression in the words

of David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, who

said “...The principles of mutual assistance and equality

should constitute the basis for international relations between peoples ...[and] must be based on the solidarity of all human beings, derived from fraternity and mutual assistance in every sphere of life.” While not unaware of

the significance of international development partnerships

for the promotion of friendship between Israel and the

nations of the global community, nor of their potential

contribution to the furtherance of economic relationships

(a potential undoubtedly advanced by the fact that Israel

as a small nation neither sought to dominate developing

nations’ economies nor to control their natural resources),

Ben Gurion’s theme, which from the outset defined the

undertaking, was of an ideological and conceptual nature.

As a developing nation, Israel saw itself as a “natural”

partner to other developing nations. But Israel also sought

to build its international partnerships not only on the

“hard” foundations of political interest, economic profit,

and strategic advantage, but also, even from the earliest

days of its then far from secure or replete existence, on the

“soft” foundations of solidarity and mutual assistance. From

the outset, Israel’s perception of the most effective and

desirable framework for its international relations included

a significant measure of ideology, in which self-interest and

mutual interest were fundamentally intertwined.

Today, Israel’s imminent entrance into the OECD brings

with it a necessary further expansion of an activity first

begun when resources available (other than human

resources) were so scarce as to be virtually absent. (The OECD

sets requisite levels of development cooperation activity for

all its members.) As it seeks the means and modes to do so,

Israel will face not only concrete but conceptual challenges.

Its ongoing search for an appropriate and effective weld

of pragmatic and value-based concerns will undoubtedly

be central to its response. As in the past half-century, the

concrete work of MASHAV and its partners will reflect this

search. So, too, will the place accorded to development

cooperation on Israel’s national agenda.

THEMATIC NOTES: AN APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

A central concern of NISPED, the Negev Institute for

Strategies of Peace and Development, is the furtherance

of sustainable human development. In its ten years of

existence, NISPED, working in partnership with NGOs

and with relevant government and international agencies

in more than three dozen countries on all five continents,

has conducted training and educational programs, and has

initiated and guided socio-economic projects, relevant to

this theme. It addition, it has worked in partnership with

Palestinian and other Middle Eastern NGOs along these

14 15

lines, and has also developed parallel activities relevant to

Israel’s Arab-Bedouin community.

All these activities have been guided by an approach

to sustainable human development which recognizes

the centrality of this issue in today’s world and seeks to

respond effectively to the challenges it poses.

Of the plethora of elements which compose this approach,

those chosen as examples below share two characteristics:

they are among its most significant components, and they

have played an important role in shaping Israel’s own

development experience.

Few would challenge the contention that sustainable

human development is the greatest challenge facing

humanity. Despite significant advances, an estimated

one fifth of mankind, over one billion people, live in UN-

defined poverty with an income of about $1 per day. More

than one sixth of the world’s population have no direct

access to clean water; almost one seventh do not have

sufficient decent food; and almost one eighth are illiterate.

In twenty-five countries, life expectancy exceeds 78 years,

but in twenty-six it does not reach 50, and in five of these,

does not even make it to 40. Infant mortality is less than

3 per 1000 births in Sweden and more than 184 per 1000

in Angola.

The challenges which the above statistics present to the

world community is to move towards sustainable human

development, and we begin by noting that in essence,

development is seen as a process whose objective is to

provide the entire population with an increasing measure

of satisfaction of basic needs, and is thus human focused.

Expanded infrastructure, increased agricultural and

industrial production, and improved administration are

the means of development; higher levels of basic needs

satisfaction are its aims.

Below are five components of the approach to sustainable

human development which has guided NISPED in its

work.

Development should be perceived as a comprehensive

and an integrative process. Development is frequently

equated with economic growth. However central this

aspect may be, it is very far from the totality. Failure to

include concern for social, administrative, human resource-

related, cultural, and other aspects is an invitation to

limited success at best, and frequently to failure. For

example, it is now widely accepted that investment in

human resource development (education, health, women’s

empowerment, youth involvement, etc.) is at least as vital

a tool for development as is investment in roads or in new

factories, if not more so. Moreover, the comprehensive

perspective must be a dynamic one, going beyond mere

inclusion of these elements to careful consideration of their

influence on and relation to each other. In a word (or three):

comprehensive and integrative.

lines, and has also developed parallel activities relevant to lines, and has also developed parallel activities relevant to lines, and has also developed parallel activities relevant to

14 15

Growing out of this perspective is the understanding

that there is no single universal development model,

equally appropriate for all. Development ought not to be

perceived as a “unisex, one-size-fits-all” formulation, and

its achievement does not rest on appropriate translations

of any single volume (or set of volumes) whose assertions

are equally valid everywhere. It is important to remember

that development must grow out of the needs and priorities

of different nations; that development reflects and rests on

the history, culture and civilization of different peoples; that

paths to development are inevitably shaped by the social,

economic and political realities of a variety of societies.

A further element of importance relates to the

“development actors”. If one asks: “Who is responsible for

national development?” the most frequent response would

be: “The government”. The centrality of governments to

national development is readily apparent. Others would

add: “...with the assistance and support of international

agencies and development cooperation bodies in other

countries...” – again, an obvious and accurate response.

Beyond these, many now point to the business and financial

communities, national and international, as significant

partners in the development process. But we would also

strongly maintain that the wide and direct involvement of

the masses – the people in developing countries themselves

– in the development process is critical for its success. We

at NISPED are concerned with the role of small businesses

and cooperatives in development, not least because these

are effective tools for mass-based participation. Similarly,

community development is, in our view, an integral part of

the development process, not only because of its key role

in the “comprehensive and integrative” approach (above),

but because of its relevance to the direct involvement of

the widest possible swath of the population in the

development process.

This leads to our fourth note on approaches to

development, which relates to governance issues.

Certain aspects of governance relevant to development

are so obvious as to require but brief mention, though

their absence (or limited presence) has weakened the

development process in many nations and has even led to

significant failures. These include the need for transparency,

accountability and democratic control; for honesty and the

elimination of corruption. Equally clear is the significance

of effective legal systems not burdened with impossible-

to-overcome bureaucracy; of personal security and of

human rights. Further, present-day development thinking

also emphasizes the importance of effective links between

government and the world of business. From the above

it will be clear that successful development requires the

input of both government and civil society, of the central

administration and of the bottom-up organizations, such as

cooperatives, trade unions, women’s and youth groups and

other NGOs, and civil society bodies. It is therefore critical

to build effective partnerships between these development

actors, which can maximize their contributions to the

1716

common goal. A further aspect of this partnership

approach involves the need to find the proper balance

between the decentralization of power through community

empowerment and the effective operation of centralized

planning and administration.

Our fifth point is this: for those thinking about

development, it is good to note that in addition to the

economic and social aspects of the development challenge,

and in addition to the ever-present political and strategic

considerations and to the cultural, ethnic and even religious

parameters, lays another element of great significance:

the moral and ethical dimension. The idea that a nation

and its government bear responsibility for the well-being

of all its citizens gained general acceptance only in the

post-World War II era of the mid-Twentieth Century, when it

led to the emergence of the welfare state. The recognition of

a common identity and, by extension, of social responsibility

– in practice as well as in theory – to the citizens of the

global community is the essential value that makes a

hungry child or a poverty plagued community anywhere the concrete concern of men and women everywhere. In

this sense, development economics is anything but a dry,

technical and value-free subject; on the contrary, it is

a value-rich recognition, in theory and in practice, of our

common humanity.

The listing is flawed in a variety of ways, not least by the

omission of reference to the importance of balancing the

rich potentials of globalization and the needs of national

development; or of the need to harness the thrust and

innovation of the free market within a framework of social

justice and equity (the free market with a human face),

but it does cover the essence of our approach. When we

look at the successful aspects of Israel’s own development

experience, we find these “big five” are clearly present.

THE ISRAELI DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE: A CASE- STUDY APPROACH

In Israel’s own development history as in that of all

other nations, a variety of influences, approaches and

undertakings are present. Yet when we look at it

analytically, and particularly if we look at the most widely

recognized aspect, namely rural development (including

the elimination of rural poverty and the achievement of

wide-ranging rural-urban equivalence), we find that the

five above-mentioned elements are clearly present and are

central to its achievement. At the very outset, let me state

a caveat, for the record: no claim to untrammeledsuccessis

made here. Israel’s rural development has faced major

problems and has known painful failures. Serious issues

remain on the agenda. Nonetheless, the balance is

clearly positive, and in an era when rural development

is a prominent global concern and when the challenge of

serious food shortages is all too real, the Israeli experience

does command attention.

From the outset, it was marked by a comprehensive

approach: the constant advances in agronomy, agro-

technology, and usage of water resources were matched by

the creation of effective modes of marketing, storage, and

supply of inputs – all the elements of successful agriculture.

Soon after the birth of the State of Israel, a process of rural

industrialization was initiated, linked to a variety of other

non-agricultural initiatives for rural areas. Effective access

to financial credit and to investment resources was created,

but the social, educational, health, and other human

resource development elements were given equal place in

the process.

Community development was a central element in the mix

from the earliest days. Concern with differing backgrounds

and cultural contexts was always present. Success was

often marred by deep crises – institutional, financial, and

even ideological. Yet the achievements: sophisticated and

successful agriculture, modern industry, robust communities

– are the hallmarks of Israel’s rural development.

A critical element in this achievement was the creation

of an effective working partnership between central

governmental authority and independent, non-govern-

mental institutions. This partnership, which was built from

the earliest days, has proved to be durable and effective.

To it were added, again almost from the outset, the inputs

of relevant academic and research bodies. Israel became

adept in the very rapid translation of new knowledge into

concrete reality, in shortening the time needed to go from

laboratory to field. The development pay-off was very real

and very marked.

A LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Finally, we turn to look at the future, to the inevitable

question: “...And what is yet to be done?” Hopes and needs

are truly numerous, but here I will limit myself to three

salient items.

First and truly central: Israel must continue and expand

its commitment to and activity in the world of development

cooperation. We have noted that Israel has had a far-more-

than-proportionate involvement in this area. The future

ought to bring yet a further expansion. The reasons for this

are manifold. Development cooperation builds friendship

and partnership for nations. It increases all forms of positive

17

and mutually productive interaction, in economic as in other

areas. Moreover, Israel has much to learn and to acquire, in

terms of knowledge, experience, insight and understanding

– from all its partners in development activity.

Development is also an important component of conflict

resolution. All conflict resolution opens a window for

development; failure to climb through it brings not only

the loss of development but a real danger of the loss of

peace, as well. If peace does not bring about real change in

people’s lives – in their standards of living, in their hopes

for their children’s future – then the peace rings hollow. Old

hates can easily revive, and from them, the slope down to

violence is steep and swift. Thus, conflict resolution must be

linked to sustainable human development. The centrality of

peace and of conflict resolution for Israel’s future needs no

explication here.

Clearly, partnership and development cooperation are

the best, and the most desirable of frameworks for Israel’s

international relationships and for shaping its place in the

world. The commitment to development cooperation is

a part of Israel’s self-definition, of who we are and more,

of who we hope and wish to become. Israel’s development

cooperation activity will increase even further as we

become part of the OECD.

Second: Israel’s development cooperation activity has long

centered on training and education, although it has always

contained other elements. Training is vital to development;

in sharing its experience (and at the same time learning from

others), Israel has been able to make a unique contribution.

In the last few years, thinking in MASHAV has moved

towards strengthening the linkage between training and

on-the-ground development activity, and has emphasized

the need to link education to concrete and pragmatic work.

This is a positive move which can bring forward a more

effective Israeli response to development challenges and

can build stronger partnerships with developing nations.

It can also lead to the expansion of joint endeavors with

international agencies and others. In this new departure, no

less than in those activities whose worth has been proven,

MASHAV and the other Israeli institutions in the field ought

to continue to emphasize and to exemplify the value of the

partnership between government and non-governmental,

civil-society bodies in the field of development cooperation.

This partnership characterized Israel’s initial development

activity in the early 1950’s, and it has existed ever since. It

is a key partnership for effective development, including

that of Israel itself.

Finally, I do not think that what follows is too ambitious

an idea to raise, and I do think it might be of significance.

In the global world of high-tech and sophisticated industry,

Israel has increasingly become a center for research and

development in this field.

Over the years, Israel has developed a number of

institutions dealing with many aspects of the human

development process. These institutions have focused on

training, but have always been known for their hands-

on, on-the-ground work in human resource development.

Thus we have acquired not only theoretical and conceptual

understanding in a variety of development-related fields,

including agriculture, health, community development,

education, economic and social initiatives, and more, but

have also added real measures of concrete experience.

Might we not also set ourselves the goal of becoming

a global center for development- cooperation thinking,

planning and analysis – much as we have done in

the technology field? With our own background as

a developing nation, might we not forge such a center

in partnership with the appropriate institutions of other

developing nations, as well as with those of international

agencies, and of the industrialized nations, as well? With

Israel’s widely acknowledged “brain bank” invested in the

process, we might well be able to make a contribution in

which comprehensive and integrative emphases would be

of real value.

IN CONCLUSION...

An attempt has been made to look back and to look

forward; to do so with pride and hope, but with honesty

and self-critique as well.

If I look for a concluding note about development

cooperation, I find it, perhaps, in a paradox. On one hand,

development is the most concrete of endeavors, rooted in

real needs and hopes of men and women, demanding real

answers to the economic, social and cultural aspirations of

human beings and their society. It is a pragmatic, practical,

feet-on-the-ground activity. Yet equally, its pursuit and its

success rest on vision, on hope, on belief in the possibility

of a better future. Vision is a critical element; as the Bible

teaches: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

So we must also keep our eyes on the stars which navigate

our future if we are to succeed. This is then our task: “Feet on the ground, eyes on the stars”. This gives us the key

to our meaningful, hope-filled, deeply rewarding, critical

endeavor – and equally, our reward in its pursuit.

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ROLLING THE WHEEL OF DEVELOPMENT FORWARD

JULIA MARGULIES

TJulia Margulies is the Director General Weitz Center for Development Studies.

The Weitz Center for Development Studies, a non-governmental, non-profit, public

organization, was founded in 1963 in Rehovot to engage in professional activities related to

regional urban and rural development in Israel and in other developing countries. The Center

was established and later headed (until his death in1998) by Professor Raanan Weitz, one of the

leading figures in the planning and development of rural Israel since its independence and until

well into the 1990’s.

Since its establishment, the Center has been dedicated to the study of rural and peripheral areas

in Israel, through extensive research, and has become one of the important sources of information

and knowledge on those areas for Israeli students, scholars and practitioners. Moreover, the Weitz

Center has adopted the mission of sharing the knowledge acquired in Israel in this field with

less developed countries, adapting a working plan to each country’s specific conditions, and

implementing objectives through an extensive program of training, research, planning and

consultancy activities.

The Center has gained international recognition in the development field: In 1972, the

Social and Economic Council of the United Nations recognized and recommended the Center’s

International Postgraduate Training Program in Integrated Regional Development. In 1991, the

Weitz Center Library was designated as the World Bank Depository Library in Israel.

THE REHOVOT APPROACH OF INTEGRATED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT (IRD)

The Weitz Center formulated the internationally recognized “Rehovot Approach” which

promotes integrated socio-economic development at regional and local levels, as a long term

measure for improving adaptation to new functions and demands deriving from changes in

the global economy. The approach’s rural-urban linkage implies that the development of rural

areas is imperative in order to secure the quality of life in cities. Rural areas in most developing

countries have been neglected – agriculture does not allow a fair standard of living, other sources

of income have not been developed, and accessibility to basic human needs – education, health,

potable water and sanitation – is poor. As a result, many human indicators such as malnutrition,

life expectancy, mortality rates and illiteracy are much poorer than at the urban centers.

Moreover, the majority of poor people in the world live in rural areas, and those who wish to

improve their situation have only one path: emigration to urban centers, preferably metropolitan

areas. However, these centers are not able to absorb the influx of population, and they suffer

in return from problems of poor infrastructures, lack of housing, insufficient services and low

personal security.

18

19

Promoting alternative

income generating

activities is imperative:

Carpet weaving small-

scale enterprise in

Azerbaijan

12

3Social forces play an important role in

agricultural development. Since agricultural

production is carried out by a multitude of

individual producers, their willingness and

ability to participate in any process of change

is a sine qua non.

Why is it so important to develop all the sectors in coordination? First, agriculture does not develop by itself, but requires a system of support such as professional advice, facilities which enable access to markets, and so on. Second, even when agriculture develops, many of the hands working in it will be idle unless alternative income generating activities are promoted as well. Developing other activities, such as agro-industries, will create working places and add to internal capital of the rural areas. Third, the rural community also needs services such as education, health, and public facilities.

The Weitz Center for Development Studies has translated this approach into a planning methodology.

The IRD Methodology regards planning in terms of a cross-functional process. Regions are viewed as the meeting points between economic opportunities and social and environmental concerns. The regional development plan presents itself as the point of intersection at the

regional level of the two planning functions – the vertical and the horizontal. The concept of cross function permits the achievement of simultaneous consistency between the following factors: Coordination and interrelationship between the various

levels, from national to regional and local (usually national, regional, district, city and village);

The main question is not if rural development is necessary,

but how to do it best. The apparent shortcomings of

previous strategies in tackling the challenges of poverty

reduction and equitable development – as well as universal

processes such as democratization, decentralization and

globalization – have had significant influences on the

attitudes towards development in recent years.

It is widely recognized today that poverty reduction

requires going beyond a sectoral approach to rural

development. The totality of activities in a particular region

needs to be promoted in order for rural development to

be successful. Mechanisms must be developed for linking

together agriculture, agro-industries, infrastructure, health,

education, information and other areas with a common

goal of raising incomes and creating jobs in rural areas.

For many years, attempts have been made to get the wheel

of rural development rolling by reinforcing one segment of

the economy. These attempts have in most part failed.

The development strategy promoted by the Weitz Center

maintains that, in order to move forward, the wheel of development needs the simultaneous strength of all the segments pushing behind it. The Rehovot Approach is

based on three assumptions:

Agricultural growth is the key to rural

development;

The development of agriculture requires

concomitant development of secondary and

tertiary sectors;

21

Coordination and relationship between the three

economic sectors, primary (agriculture), secondary

(industry), and tertiary (services);

Integration within the regional plan of the economic,

social, organizational and spatial aspects.

The IRD approach avoids the adoption of a structured

“recipe” for regional development. Rather, a flexible

approach, based on local conditions and predominant

institutional structures, is embraced.

Moreover, the Rehovot Approach stresses the fact that

development planning is a dynamic process that enhances

the capacity of territories to contribute to the creation

of economic activities, and to attract investments in

competitive national and international environments.

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

Since its establishment more than 40 years ago, the

Weitz Center has been involved in the dissemination of

the Israeli experience in regional and local development

among developing countries through training and related

activities. Over 5,000 professionals from some 80 countries

in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the

Pacific, and Europe have graduated from this program.

This role has been carried out within the framework

of MASHAV – The Center for International Cooperation

of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The experience

gained by Israeli development institutions has been used

as a practical example for the thousands of professionals

that have been trained in the Center. Professionals from

both national and non-governmental institutions take an

active role in transferring their knowledge via the training

program to the international participants.

All Weitz Center courses are interdisciplinary by

nature, and participants are professionals in the fields

of agriculture, economy, sociology, civil and industrial

engineering, environmental studies, and more. Further

on, following requests from individual governments,

international organizations, and NGO’s, the Weitz Center

conducts tailor-made courses designed according to

specific needs of the commissioning organization. These

courses are conducted either at the Weitz Center or onsite,

and include a follow-up component.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

The globalization process has not diminished the

importance of local development; on the contrary. Future

efforts must concentrate on strengthening local capacities

to cope with globalization and influence its processes.

However, this is not sufficient. Efforts must be made in

regional cooperation among developing countries, as a

way of creating markets and common projects – based on

the utilization and positive exploitation of local resources

and potentialities. In this way, the wheel of development

will gain the momentum to roll on.

The rural community

needs to ensure

education, health

and public facilities:

a rural classroom

in Kenya

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21

A

SEXUAL HEALTH AND AIDS PREVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS

ANITA NUDELMAN

The writer is an applied medical anthropologist, in charge of Health Promotion (including sexual health and HIV prevention) for adolescents in residential schools in Israel, and expert consultant for The Aharon Ofri International Training on “Sexual Health and HIV Prevention.”

A course on Sexual Health and AIDS Prevention for Adolescents, geared towards African

professionals, was developed by Ms. Yonat Liss from MASHAV’s Ofri Training Center, and

myself, based on an educational model implemented in residential schools in Israel. It was

planned according to the new MASHAV policy which recommends that courses and projects

should include a number of professionals belonging to each participating institution, in

order to ensure continuity and to enable a strong impact on communities and countries.

Thus, all the participants in our first course, which took place at the Ofri Center in

November-December 2007, were pivotal decision makers at the four institutions that

collaborate within their home countries: from Uganda – the Population Secretariat, Ministry

of Finance, Planning & Economic Development; from Kenya − the Ministry of Health −

North Rift Valley (Western Kenya); also from Kenya, the Ministry of Health- NASCOP (Kenya

National AIDS/STDs Control Programme), and the Ministry of Youth Affairs-MOYA.

Great feedback was received from all the participants of the first course, who later applied

elements of our culture-sensitive interactive educational approach to develop projects for

promoting adolescent sexual health, ready for implementation in their countries. A second

course took place in Israel during March-April 2008, and was sponsored jointly by MASHAV

and UNAIDS West and Central Africa.

When I was asked to take part in an on-the-spot-training course on AIDS Prevention to

be held in Kenya in August 2008, I decided it would be a good opportunity to contact our

Kenyan and Ugandan course graduates. They immediately expressed interest in meeting,

saying that they wanted to share with me what they had been doing since their course

in Israel, and to get further professional feedback and consultation. The Israeli Embassy

in Nairobi recognized the importance of a continued professional collaboration on such

a significant issue as HIV prevention for adolescents, and organized a one day follow-up

seminar in Nairobi on August 2008. The Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, Maor Elbaz, and

MASHAV officer, Geoffrey Kiringa, worked intensively in the organization of this seminar,

which would not have become a reality without them.

FOLLOW-UP SEMINAR AND REUNION

The Seminar was held at the excellent facilities of the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi, and was

attended by 21 course graduates! This included almost all of the Kenyan and Ugandan

participants from the two above mentioned courses held

at the Ofri Center. The seminar included a discussion

of implementing the educational approach and the

culture-sensitive projects developed in Israel, both at the

institutional and the individual levels. New educational

activities developed in Israel and Kenya were also

presented. The reunion concluded with guided group work,

planning Sexual Health and AIDS Prevention projects and

activities for adolescents for the next c6 months.

Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Yaacov Keidar, was present during a long session in which each graduate shared the professional significance of the course in Israel and how he or she had implemented the educational

approach learned there.

The following is a summary of the salient points raised:

1. The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Kenya (MOYA) has

introduced the project developed in Israel into their

annual budget, which was due to start in September,

2008. In addition, the participants have trained some of

their peers and have collaborated with UNFPA (United

Nations Population Fund), using methods learned in

Israel. There has also been training of peers in a number

of Youth Polytechnic schools, especially in the area of

AIDS prevention. The Director of Training at MOYA has

also expressed interest in attending our next course

in Israel, in order to integrate it nationally into the

Ministry’s activities.

2. One participant, who previously worked for MOYA

and is now a Senior Assistant Director for Curriculum

Development for out-of-school adolescents at KIE (Kenya Institute of Education), has included our

approach in her training for this institution.

3. Ministry of Health (NASCOP): All participants have implemented activities in their respective Districts and trained trainers on sexual health (although many of them have not yet received a separate budget for these activities, due to the political situation in Kenya this year.)

4. Ministry of Health North Rift Valley-Western Kenya: Although this area has been suffering political unrest, the team’s activities have been impressive: Schools and health centers have been targeted

throughout the district, including many groups of displaced youth.

The team has worked closely with counsellors and health trainers, introducing youth activities and trying to make health facilities “youth friendly.”

Activities were introduced in youth groups formed jointly with NASCOP, as well as with other NGOs in the area.

A graduate who works for Handicap International has

introduced these activities and received funding for

peer training, jointly with other NGOs.

In addition, our graduates use a once-a-week

popular radio program, to convey culture-sensitive

messages regarding sexual health to the youth in

their districts.

5. Individual participants in Kenya: The few individual

participants (only one per institution) also have done

important work. A graduate, who is an Assistant Director in the Kenya

Prisons Service − Health Sector, has held workshops

on sexual health in three prisons dealing with youth

rehabilitation.

A graduate who works at the Ministry of Gender and Culture has held seminars with trainers of youth

using interactive methods for HIV prevention.

A graduate who was sponsored by UNESCO and

works for the Ministry of Education has established a

community-based organization in Nairobi to promote

sexual health among youth.

6. Population Secretariat – Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – Uganda: This group has been very active, setting up SHIP − The

Sexual Health Improvement Project − an organization to

promote adolescent sexual health and AIDS prevention,

introducing the program into the Department for

Family Health at the Ministry, and piloting it in schools

throughout the country. They have also designed

a syllabus for an undergraduate course on adolescent

sexuality and sexual health, which was approved by

Makerere University. I must mention here that Ms.

Rivka Uziel-Krispin, the Cultural Attaché to the General

Consulate of Uganda in Israel, has been very supportive

of this group.

7. Personal Commitment: In addition to their official work

to promote adolescent sexual health and AIDS prevention

via their work places, all graduates have shown their

personal commitment by doing volunteer work among

youth in their churches and local communities.

CLOSING REMARKS

Most of the graduates who attended this Seminar are

professionals and government officials, who can guarantee

an effective influence on thousands of adolescents, and on

official policy in their countries. They view the formation

of “a committed and attached working group” during their

training at the Ofri Center, as well as the continued support

received ever since from us, as a turning point in their way

22

of promoting sexual health and HIV prevention among

youth in their countries. The graduates felt that this follow

up enrichment seminar and reunion energized them, that

they received helpful feedback and further professional

consultation, and learned a lot from each other.

Based on my work on applied research and training both

in Israel and in Africa for many years, I believe in a “culture-

sensitive” interactive approach to sexual health and AIDS

prevention. Thus, some of my workshops were planned

jointly with graduates, who introduced local cultural issues

and dilemmas into the discussion, helping me to facilitate

the presentations, as well. This had a great impact on the

course participants, who felt that we were really addressing

them, and not, instead trying to introduce Western or Israeli

ideas which are not applicable in Africa.

Anita Nudelman and African professionals during

the course held at the Ofri Center

Kenyan and Ugandan course graduates with Israeli

Ambassador Keidar and staff in Nairobi

The Ofri Center was established in 1989 as a core

extension of MASHAV, the Center for International

Cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The

Center’s area of expertise is the transmission of

knowledge about education, which is essential

for the development of civil society. It concerns

itself with learning at all levels, from elementary

and secondary school through adult education,

and provides knowledge and training for basic

skills development, civic awareness, community

education, education for special populations,

treatment for youth (including those at-risk), youth

integration, and education for health and AIDS-

prevention.

Adopting the UN’s development goals for the

new millennium and the world agenda the Ofri

Center has made its goal the contribution to the

sustainable development of human resources

internationally, based on knowledge and

experience accumulated in Israel. The Center has

developed a unique, holistic approach that takes

into consideration the emotional and creative

aspects of the pedagogical process. Its working

methods enable program participants to make

practical use of theoretical knowledge in their own

specific locations.

Since its inception, the Ofri Center has trained

thousands of program participants from countries

throughout the world. Top experts in education,

communications, civil development, and community

action have shared a wealth of Israeli knowledge

and experience. The Center cooperates with senior

staff in the Israeli Ministry of Education, academic

experts, government organizations, and non-

governmental organizations (NGOs) with expertise

in these areas. In addition, it communicates and

cooperates with key international organizations

such as UNESCO, OECD, USAID, the World Bank,

and the International Organization

23

THE OFRI CENTER

24 25

MARKING 50 YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

AVNIT RIFKIN

The 25th International Conference for Women Leaders of the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC) was held in November 2007, together with MASHAV and in cooperation with the UNESCO Section for Women and Gender Equality of the Bureau of Strategic Planning. The Conference signaled the commencement of events marking 50 years of MASHAV’s international cooperation activities.

Guests of honor were H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, and Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. The 60 high-level delegates to the Conference represented 40 countries and 5 international organizations, and 11 observers. Among the delegates were government

ministers, former or deputy ministers, and parliamentarians. Many professional women from the academic, legal, scientific, and business worlds participated, as did senior officials from international inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, including UNESCO, UNIFEM, INSTRAW, the World Bank and WEDO. Upon the Conference's conclusion, the women leaders adopted the "Haifa Declaration."

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HAIFA, ISRAEL

MMASHAV, founded in late 1957 by then-Minister of Foreign Affairs Golda Meir, is the culmination of her vision to share Israel’s development experience with other emerging nations. During the past 50 years, over 250,000 professionals from all over the world have taken part in MASHAV’s programs in Israel and abroad. A wide spectrum of short- and long-term consultancies, combined with on-site demonstration activities geared to the transfer of know-how and appropriate technologies, have become MASHAV’s trademark.

As MASHAV celebrates its 50th anniversary, it remains a dynamic organization, committed to drawing on Israel's own

development experience to apply accumulated expertise, innovative and affordable technologies, and creative solutions to

eradicate extreme poverty and hunger the world over, and to strive for proper access to health care, the empowerment of

women, and education for all.

MASHAV’s 50th anniversary was marked at a number of international conferences and symposia held in Israel and

abroad:

24 25

THE REHOVOT CONFERENCE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT REHOVOT, ISRAEL

The Rehovot Conference for Regional Development 2007, was organized by the Weitz

Center for Development Studies in cooperation with MASHAV; the Hebrew University's

Faculty of Agriculture; and the Rehovot municipality. Regional development experts from

Israel and abroad were among the participants.

The Conference's two main goals were to discuss the subject of Israeli experience regarding

regional development in general and that of the Weitz Center in particular, raising awareness

in the international agenda; and to enable graduates of the Weitz Center/MASHAV to present

their accomplishments in regional development in various countries.

Issues discussed at the conference included: Globalization and its influence on developing

nations; adaptation processes of different countries to globalization; regional development

and poverty obliteration policies of various countries; the Israeli experience in regional

development; and development projects from different places around the world.

ISRAEL AND AFRICA: MAKING THE DESERT BLOOM WASHINGTON D.C., USA

The Head of MASHAV, Ambassador Haim Divon,

participated in May 2008, in a special event organized in

Washington, D.C. by The American Jewish Committee (AJC)

entitled: "Israel and Africa: Making the Desert Bloom."

Participating in the event was also the founder of the

Jewish Heart for Africa organization, Sivan Achor.

The desire (and ability) to transform a mostly barren

land into a modern state was a key factor in Israel's rapid

agricultural development. Making optimal use of harsh

land, scarce water, and limited energy sources have driven

Israeli revolutions in agricultural technologies. MASHAV

and the Jewish Heart for Africa are two extraordinary

examples of how Israel’s world-leading technologies are

used to support development in Africa. Through such

projects as African Market Gardens (AMG) and Techno-Agriculture Innovation for Poverty

Alleviation (TIPA), MASHAV aims to promote sustainable development throughout Africa.

The Jewish Heart for Africa is a non-profit organization that brings Israeli solar energy

technologies (for water pumping and lighting) to rural African villages.

THE JERUSALEM ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE CONFERENCE JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

A unique environmental conference took place in Jerusalem in May 2008, initiated by the

Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, and supported by the Jerusalem Municipality,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and a variety

26 27

of other bodies. The two day event brought together national and international speakers

to discuss a range of pressing environmental issues, and to examine Israel's current

environmental situation. Ms. Ofra Farhi, Director of MASHAV’s External Relations and

Planning Department, represented MASHAV in a session entitled: "The Environment Knows

No Boundaries."

THE ISRAELI PRESIDENTIAL CONFERENCE – FACING TOMORROW JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

Facing Tomorrow, President Shimon Peres' first annual conference, took place in Jerusalem

in May 2008. This international convocation attempted to look closely at the trends and

developments that are mapping the future, and to serve as an incubator for some selected

proactive responses. Facing Tomorrow was a conference of focused exploration, a synergistic

gathering of major world leaders, Jews and non-Jews, thinkers and doers, poets and

physicists, rabbis and entrepreneurs, including the next generation of leadership – young

men and women of exceptional promise and originality.

Participants were charged with examining, confronting, and responding to three

intertwining futures: the global tomorrow, the Jewish tomorrow, and the Israeli tomorrow.

Ambassador Haim Divon, Head of MASHAV, was a panelist in the session entitled "Fixing

the World: Mission or Pretension?" which explored the surge of activities that the Jewish

world is experiencing aimed at making the world a better place. In recent years, a variety

of humanitarian, social justice and ecological projects grounded in the Jewish value of

Tikkun Olam (literally: fixing the world) have served to bolster Jewish identity and to create

venues for cooperation between Jews in Israel and Jews around the world.

MASHAV’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: ISRAEL & THE AFRICAN GREEN REVOLUTION JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

Experts from Israel and from the international community gathered in June 2008 at

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem to present various approaches to agricultural

development on the African continent and to discuss how to effectively implement them

in order to alleviate the present food and water crisis. The Conference on Israel and the

African Green Revolution was organized by MASHAV and was attended by hundreds of

delegates representing African states, international aid organizations, members of the

academic establishment, and participants in two of MASHAV's professional training

courses in Israel.

Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, New York, and

Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General on the Millennium Development Goals,

was the keynote speaker at the International Conference. Distinguished speakers at the

conference also included: Dr. William D. Dar, Director General of ICRISAT (the International

Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics); Mr. Gilbert Houngebo, Director Regional

Bureau for Africa, UNDP, New York; and Ms. Federica Marzo, OECD Center, Paris.

In his address, Prof. Sachs mentioned that hundreds of millions of people around the

world suffer from hunger, lack of water, disease, and unemployment – despite the wealth,

advanced technology, and know-how that exist in today's world. Prof. Sachs stated that

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26 27

Africa would like to have Israel as a partner in the continent's green revolution, and that Israel

has the technological expertise that Africa needs in three main fields: agriculture, public health

and medicine, and solar energy.

The main goal of the African Green Revolution is to help impoverished smallholder communities

to make the transformation from subsistence farming to a mixed rural economy of commercial

farming and small-scale industry and services. This transformation will raise incomes, reduce

poverty and hunger, and unleash self-sustaining private-sector-led economic growth. It should

ideally occur as part of other broad changes in society, including a dynamic urban economy, the

development of national-scale infrastructure, the scaling up of public health and education, and

the increased resilience and adaptation to climate change.

The conference explored Israel's contribution to this global challenge, and reflected Israel's

continued commitment to alleviating extreme poverty in Africa, as well as Israel's adherence to

the Millennium Development Goals. Since its establishment 50 years ago, MASHAV has remained

steadfast in the belief that in order to overcome poverty, emphasis must be placed on achieving

and enhancing food security. Agricultural cooperation in Africa has always been a main focus.

THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON DEVELOPMENT NEW YORK, USA

Ambassador Haim Divon, Deputy Director-General of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of MASHAV addressed

a high-level event on the Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs), which took place at the UN on September

2008, within the framework of the UN General Assembly

Meeting on Development. The issue at hand was "Africa’s

development needs: State of implementation of various

commitments, challenges and the way forward."

Ambassador Divon touched upon some of the successes of

the MDGs, as well as challenges that lie ahead, highlighting

that Israeli aid to the MDG program is making a difference

in the lives of people across the globe. In his address, Ambassador Divon stated: "Israel

understands that there is no single approach to overcoming the immense challenges before us.

But we are proud that our small nation can offer so much to those in need. We remind ourselves

that emerging from the past is a journey, not a destination. And achievements along this journey

– be them small or large – help us touch the lives of millions of people around the globe."

He concluded his speech by saying "Israel understands that there is no single approach to

overcoming the immense challenges before us. But we are proud that our small nation can offer

so much to those in need. We remind ourselves that emerging from the past is a journey, not

a destination. And achievements along this journey – be them small or large – help us touch

the lives of millions of people around the globe. Development is a partnership that requires

the commitment of all. And in the words of Israel’s founding father David Ben-Gurion, I am a

realist, as well as an optimist – I believe we can achieve the miracles laid out in the Millennium

Development Goals."

THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON NEW YORK, USA

mbassador Haim Divon, Deputy Director-General of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of MASHAV addressed

a high-level event on the Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs), which took place at the UN on September

2008, within the framework of the UN General Assembly

28 29

The Shalom Club, Paraguay organized

an impressive event to commemorate

Israel’s 60 years of Independence.

Club members, representatives from Amisrael

(The Cultural Association of Friends of Israel), and

distinguished guests joined together for the “Great

March for Peace,” a colorful walk through the

28

SHALOM CLUBS

PE

RU

streets of the capital, Asuncion, which ended with

a festive gathering at the Ñu Guazu Park. Among

the respected guests was the Vice-President of

the Republic, Federico Franco, who mentioned

his recent visit to Jerusalem, and expressed his

commitment to peace and friendship.

Also present were Israeli Honorary Consul to

Paraguay, Max Heber; Dr. Eduardo Zaracho,

president of Amisrael; representatives and members

of B’nai B’rit; representatives from the Cultural

Institute Israel-Paraguay; and many more.

The Shalom Club, Peru members

organized a large “Medical Campaign”

in May 2008 in a local elementary

school, as part of the events organized to

commemorate the Independence of the State of

PA

RA

GU

AY

28 29

Presently, Shalom Club Philippines has 639

members, active in 27 local chapters. One of the

Club’s latest activities, organized jointly with

the Israeli Embassy in the Philippines, was the

“Share a Lunch and Gift” project, which included

distribution of hot meals to destitute children.

Shalom Club members and distinguished

guests gathered at the residence of the

Israeli Ambassador in Cote d’Ivoire,

H.E. Daniel Kedem, to present the design plans

for the new Shalom House which is being built in

Abidjan. Established in 1960, the Shalom Club in

Cote d’Ivoire has over 700 members, all of them

graduates of MASHAV’s professional training

courses.

29

Israel at 60. Shalom Club members arrived at

the school in the District of Comas and organized

helpful, healthy activities for both parents and

children, including a healthy breakfast, general

medical attention, distribution of medicines,

eye-sight check ups, psychological and legal

counseling and beauty treatments. The National

Police Corps was also present, and its members

organized an impressive Canine Show.

A large team of club members, together with the

Israeli Embassy staff, coordinated the successful

event at which many distinguished guests were

present, including the Israeli Ambassador to

Peru H.E. Walid Manzur; and the president of the

Shalom Club, Peru, Ms. Luzmila Canal.

The Shalom Club, Philippines (SCP)

celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

SCP acquired its legal status in July

1998 under the Philippine laws that govern

private corporations, and is a registered Volunteer

Organization with the Philippine National

Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency of the

National Economic and Development Authority.

Guided by this organization’s vision, the Club’s

mission and primary objective is to promote peace

through volunteerism. The theme chosen for this

year’s anniversary celebration is Institutionalizing

the Role of SCP in Philippine Society, via the

“Ambassadors of Peace” Program.

PH

ILIP

PIN

ES

“Share a Lunch Project” in action: Israeli Ambassador

to the Philippines Zvi Aviner-Vapni (center, last row);

Deputy Chief of Mission Yaniv Revach (center, second

row); Shalom Club president Zenny Ubaldo (standing,

third from left); and fellow Shalom Club members

during the event.

CO

TE D

’IVO

IRE

30

ISRAEL JOINS THE OECD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

The Council of the Organization for Economic Cooperation

& Development (OECD) has approved Israel's membership

in the Development Center, an arm of the OECD. The

Development Center, which was set up in 1962 as a semi-

independent body, comprises OECD member states as well

as non-member states. Israel will be represented in the

Center by delegates from the Foreign Affairs and Finance

Ministries.

The purpose of the Development Center is to develop

economic and social ties between the OECD and developing

countries. The Center was established to aid decision-

makers in stimulating growth and improving the living

conditions in developing countries. The Center also serves as

MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

a common platform through which member states can share

their experience in economic and social development.

One of the Center's goals is to create a network of working

ties between research institutes and universities in member

states. Another goal is policy research, which would be

carried out in different areas by participating member

states and an OECD professional team.

There are currently 32 member states active in the

Development Center, of which 23 are members of the

OECD and nine are candidates for the OECD or represent

emerging economies. In its recent expansion, three states

joined the Development Center: Israel, which is a candidate

for membership in the OECD and has 50 years of experience

in international cooperation; Vietnam, which is an emerging

economy in Asia; and Egypt, which holds an important place

in the Arab world as well as among the African nations.

Ambassador Haim Divon, Deputy Director General Ministry

of Foreign Affairs and Head of MASHAV, who attended his

first Governing Board meeting in Paris on March 18, 2008

said, "We view with great importance our participation in

the Development Center, an arm of the OECD. On the one

hand, Israel brings the rich experience it has gained in 50

years of activity through MASHAV throughout the world,

and, on the other hand, feels obligated to fit in with the

policy, goals and operation patterns being formulated in the

context of the Development Center.".

FIRST MASHAV–WHO EUROPE REGIONAL COURSE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The "Public Health and Emergency Management" training

program took place in Israel in June 2008, and focused on

the management of critical public health issues in disasters

and emergencies. The objective of the course was to foster

health and security in the region by enhancing health

systems capacities to prepare for and respond to a crisis

– a focus that has been given increasing priority by the

World Health Organization Regional Committee for Europe

in recent years.

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni

and Mr. Colm Foy, Head of Publications and Media Relations

at the OECD Development Centre

31

This first-of-its-kind regional course was hosted and

supported by MASHAV; the Israeli Ministry of Health;

and the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University;

and included the participation of 22 delegates from 13

countries.

The course addressed all types of emergencies: natural,

human-made and technological, focusing on managerial

practices before, during and after an event. During the

course, the concept of risk management as a framework

for policy making and planning within the national

development process was introduced. The course's aim

was to build capacity in the health system with regard to

preparation for, response to and recovery from disasters,

with inter-sectoral dimensions especially highlighted.

FIRST ISRAEL-VIETNAM VIDEO CONFERENCE ON "WASTE-WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES"

As a part of the efforts to promote the global campaign

on "Green Technologies," the Embassy of Israel in Hanoi,

together with MASHAV and the Economic Division of

the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cooperated with

the Consultant and Inspection Joint Stock Company of

Construction Technology and Equipment of Vietnam

(CONINCO) to organize the first video conference on

"Waste-Water Treatment Technologies". The event took place

at the Vietnam Development Information Center (VDIC)

in January2008, and was linked from MASHAV and the

Israeli Export Institute to the VDIC through the World Bank

in Washington. Over 70 people from relevant ministries,

authorities, and companies attended the Video Conference,

allowing professionals from both countries to exchange

ideas regarding future cooperation opportunities.

SPECIAL STUDY TOUR FOR FIRST NATIONS WOMEN

From 21-30 January, 2008 a group of 16 First Nations Women

from Canada took part in a Special Study Tour at the Golda

Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC) in

Haifa, organized in cooperation with the Assembly of First

Nations, the Canadian Jewish Congress, and sponsored by

the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Foundation Fellowships.

The representatives of the Assembly of First Nations Women

arrived in Haifa from all over Canada to participate in this

first program conducted by MCTC/ MASHAV.

Emphasizing Women’s empowerment and leadership

in Israel, the program enabled the participants to meet

with mainstream and minority Israeli women leaders and

to share experiences. They heard lectures from Israeli

32 MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

GEORGIAN STUDENTS AT MCTC

August 26, 2008 marked the Closing Ceremony of

a two-week Study Tour at the Golda Meir Mount Carmel

International Training Center (MCTC) for young people

from Georgia, on the topic of "Vocational Training for Small

Business Management."

Undeterred by the outbreak of hostilities on their country’s

border just a few days earlier, 21 young women and

men arrived as planned to take part in the program, as

requested by the Israel Embassy in Tbilisi and implemented

in cooperation with MASHAV and the Joint Distribution

Committee (JDC).

In a packed program, the representatives learned every

aspect of entrepreneurship – including how to set up their

own small businesses. In addition to their studies and visits

WATER SAFETY AND SECURITY

Israel NEWTech (Novel Efficient Water Technologies) is a

national program promoting the Israeli water technology

sector. It builds upon Israel's experience in coping with

water scarcity problems, incorporating all the separate

industry elements in order to advance the sector at an

international level.

Within the framework of this national program, MASHAV,

in cooperation with CINADCO, the Center for International

Agricultural Development Cooperation (MASHAV’s

main professional and operational institute in the field

of agriculture), organized two study programs, also in

cooperation with ICWC (the Interstate Commission for

Water Coordination of Central Asia). The first, a seminar

for top managers and water commissioners on "Water

Resources Management – Principles and Practice" and the

second, a course for specialists from Central Asia on "Water

Resource Management and Water Saving Technologies in

Agriculture."

These two unique programs were scheduled in tandem

with WATEC 2007, Israel’s International Water Technologies

Exhibition. Also visiting the Exhibition were 25 engineers

and high level directors from China who were taking

part in MASHAV’s course on "Management of Urban

Water." Participants in two additional MASHAV courses

on "Management of Advanced Irrigation Systems"

for professionals from Nigeria, and "Water Resource

At the signing ceremony: Ambassador Haim Divon, Head of

MASHAV, and Brazilian Minister Geddel Vieira Lima

Management and Urban Supply" for officials from Kenya

and Nigeria also took part in the international event.

During the WATEC 2007 Exhibition, MASHAV headed a

professional session on "Sustainability and Environmental

Challenges of Development" with the participation of over

200 guests. Within this framework, an MOU was signed

between MASHAV and the Ministry of National Integration

of the Federative Republic of Brazil, to promote cooperation

in the fields of water and environment.

Ph

oto

: Azri S

am

in

specialists on the state of women’s empowerment, gender-

budgeting and domestic violence and, from the program’s

highly- regarded guest lecturer, Dr. Cora Voyageur, Associate

Professor of Sociology from Calgary University, were also

able to learn more about the culture, heritage, and facts

and figures concerning the First Nations.

This first pilot tour ended on a highly positive note with

many ideas for future cooperation in the fields of leadership

training, empowerment and youth, and with hopes for

continued cooperative links between the MCTC/MASHAV/

CJC and the First Nations Women.

33

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

A key component in today's concept of international development

cooperation – one which finds expression in the Paris Declaration on

Aid Effectiveness and the Millennium Declaration 2000 – is the need for

greater coordination and cooperation between the many donors providing

development and humanitarian assistance around the world, in an

attempt to attain maximum efficiency and effectiveness. This process must

be implemented in alignment with the development strategies of partner

countries throughout the developing world.

MASHAV shares the goals set by the international community for greater

synergy among donor and partner countries. Towards this end, MASHAV

has signed agreements in partnership with governments, civil society,

international organizations, and Jewish organizations in order to achieve

maximum coordination of international development activities.

Signing the MOU on the establishment of the Dairy Demonstration and

Experimental Project in Vietnam

to Israeli entrepreneurs and manufacturers’

associations, they toured the northern

Israeli countryside and Jerusalem.

The JDC partnered with the Georgian

Red Cross and MASHAV to assist both

Jewish and non-Jewish victims of the

Russia-Georgia conflict. As part of the

JDC’s non-sectarian efforts, the MASHAV

and Georgian Red Cross partnerships will

enable the coordination of medical supply

shipments, relief efforts, and the purchase

of an ambulance. The JDC will continue to

assess the needs of the region and develop

a strategy for long-term aid to victims of

the conflict.

The following are a few of the agreements that MASHAV has recently signed:

DAIRY DEMONSTRATION AND EXPERIMENTAL FARM IN VIETNAM

The Head of MASHAV, Ambassador

Haim Divon, signed a Memorandum of

Understanding with Ho Chi Minh City’s

People’s Committee on the establishment

of a Dairy Demonstration and Experimental

Project. Dairy farming in Vietnam is

developing rapidly, as it is in many other

Southeast Asian countries. This is a result

of increased economic activity and a rise in

per capita income, as well as a continuous

increase in population growth.

The existing knowledge on intensive dairy

production in Israel, based on professional

manpower and modern technologies,

has lead the Vietnamese authorities to

request Israeli assistance with the aim

of facilitating efficient milk production

under local conditions. The Dairy

Demonstration Farm in Vietnam will

be based on Israeli technologies and

know-how and is planned to be located

in the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City. All

professional activities will be carried

out under the guidance of Israeli

MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

experts, operating in accordance with Israeli working

standards.

This project initiative to develop Vietnam's dairy sector will

form a joint base for technical cooperation between the two

countries and will further strengthen cooperative endeavors

and the long-standing close ties between the governments

of Vietnam and Israel.

MASHAV AND UNDP SIGN MOU IN UZBEKISTAN

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed

at the beginning of November 2007 between the UNDP

(the United Nations development Program) Resident

Representative in Uzbekistan, Fikret Akcura, and the Israeli

Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Ami Mehl. The MOU was signed

within the framework of the National Project on Sustainable

Development of the Livestock Sector in Uzbekistan, and

includes the transfer of knowledge and new technologies;

professional training programs; and the provision of high

quality genetic materials and equipment for artificial

livestock insemination.

ISRAEL AND THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (UNDP) SIGN A LETTER OF INTENT

Israel and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

signed, for the first time, a Letter of Intent for cooperation

in the field of agriculture. The signing ceremony took place

during MASHAV’s Conference on "Israel and the African

Green Revolution" held in Jerusalem in June 2008.

UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL SIGNS COOPERATION MOU

The Director-General of UNESCO – the United Nations

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – Mr.

Koïchiro Matsuura, arrived on his first official visit to Israel

in February, 2008.

During his visit, he met with Vice Prime Minister and

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni, and signed an MOU

consolidating the relations between Israel and UNESCO.

The memorandum defines issues of common interest to

both, including: advancing Holocaust education among

the UNESCO member states; the development of education

in the sub-Saharan states: the development of a network

of schools affiliated with UNESCO; and the development

of scientific centers in peripheral areas in Africa – - all

through MASHAV, the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Center for

International Cooperation.

From left to right: Deputy Director General and Head of

MASHAV Haim Divon, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the

Earth Institute at Columbia University and Mr. Gilbert

Houngbo, Director Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP,

at the signing ceremony (Photo: Eyal Falah)

Minister Tzipi Livni and Director General

Koïchiro Matsuura

TRIPARTITE COOPERATION ON SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

of Ethiopia; MASHAV – the Center for International

Development of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and

the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit

(GTZ), all signed in July 2008 a trilateral Declaration of

Intent to carry out the political will expressed by the heads

of their respective governments: to commence cooperation

on enhancing irrigated agriculture capacity in Ethiopia.

Agriculture is the major source of employment, revenue and

export earnings of Ethiopia’s population, and agricultural

development is a priority for the Ethiopian government

– setting irrigation as a major pillar of increasing food

production and achieving nutritional self-sufficiency for the

country.

(Ph

oto

: E

ya

l Fa

lah

)

34

35

The Joint Declaration of Intent was signed in Addis Ababa

by H.E. Ato Ahmed Nasir, State Minister, MoARD of the

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Mr. Ulrich Mohr,

GTZ Country Director; and Ambassador Haim Divon, Deputy

Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Head

of MASHAV, in the presence of H.E. Mr. Ya'akov Amitai,

Ambassador of the State of Israel, and H.E. Dr. Klaas Dieter

Knoop, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany

to Ethiopia.

The Joint Declaration of Intent lays down joint, as well

as specific, responsibilities towards the implementation

of a needs assessment, and the development of a small-

scale irrigation capacity building strategy for the efficient

utilization of water resources by Ethiopian communities

and individual farmer households, in order to increase

agricultural productivity and income, and to reduce

Ethiopia’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

The three parties also agreed to conduct the study in

two experience-exchange missions to Israel and to

Ethiopia.

MASHAV COOPERATION WITH THE SHANGHAI CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER

A Letter of Intent was recently signed by: MASHAV, the

Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMC), the Schneider

Children’s Medical Center of Israel (SCMCI), and Project

HOPE.

Cooperation between the two medical centers started in

1998 through the support and coordination of MASHAV

and Project HOPE. Cooperation within this framework

contributed much to the development of SCMC, helping to

medically treat children from the city of Shanghai and from

many other parts of China.

Future cooperation between the parties will include

exchange visits by medical experts from the two medical

centers, and advanced medical and nursing training of

Chinese experts in Israel.

During the Signing Ceremony at the Shanghai Children’s

Medical Center. From left to right: Uri Gutman, Consul

General of Israel in Shanghai; Dr. John Howe, President &

CEO of Project HOPE; Dr. Joseph Press, Schneider Children’s

Medical Center of Israel; and Mr. Liu Jinfen, President, SCMC

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

VICE PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN MINISTER TZIPI LIVNI RECEIVES AWARD ON

BEHALF OF MASHAV

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi

Livni made an official visit to China in October 2007. During

her visit, FM Livni received from the Chinese government,

on behalf of MASHAV, a Certificate of Appreciation in honor

of 15 years of international cooperation between the two

countries.

In her address, Minister Livni said: "Today we mark two

occasions – specifically, 15 years of development and

cooperation between MASHAV and China, and in general,

the 50th anniversary of MASHAV. It is indeed a time to

celebrate the achievements of the past while preparing

for the future. The relations between our countries are

unlimited in scope and human achievement, as witnessed

by the special ties between Israeli and Chinese experts.

These dedicated men and women from both countries have

worked together to establish a fruitful and sustainable

3736 MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

program of cooperation that has grown and developed

throughout these many years. And MASHAV has made

every effort to cultivate these professional relations and

root them into a program of development cooperation. To

these experts we owe our deepest gratitude. The fact that

MASHAV is today receiving this most prestigious award is

due to the ability of our peoples to work together, to succeed

together, and to strive together towards a better future."

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign

Affairs Tzipi Livni receiving the Award on

behalf of MASHAV

The Government of the Changji Region granted its

prestigious Bofeng Award to MASHAV’s Western China Arid

Zone Agriculture Demonstration Project expert, Yigal Cohen.

The award is a distinction of excellence awarded to people

who contribute to the development of the local community

in the Chagji region. This is the second award bestowed on

the Israeli expert. The first one was the Mountain of Heaven

Award, the highest award of excellence granted yearly

to foreign experts who contribute to the development of

Xinjiang Province in Western China.

Israeli expert Yigal Cohen receiving

the prestigious Bofeng Award

MASHAV’S EXPERT IN CHINA IS THE RECIPIENT OF PRESTIGIOUS BOFENG AWARD

MCTC DIRECTOR HONORED BY THE CITY OF HAIFA

The Director of the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International

Training Center (MCTC), Mrs. Mazal Renford, was awarded

the City of Haifa Award by the Mayor Yona Yahav, in honor of

her ongoing contribution to Haifa life through her successful

work. Renford's enterprise has spread the city’s name

worldwide and has brought international personalities to

the country.

MCTC, MASHAV’s flagship training extension for the

advancement of the status of women, was established

in 1961, 14 years before the United Nations declared

its ‘Development Decade for the Promotion of Women’

and almost 40 years before the UN's declaration of its

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs.) As such, it holds

a unique place in the international training arena, at the

forefront of training for the advancement of the status of

women. Since its inception, MCTC has continued to grow

and evolve, focusing on socio-economic development as

the tool for poverty eradication, constantly stressing the

importance of 'bottom-up development,' and recognizing

the contribution of women to their countries’ development.

37

MASHAV is examining the possibility of setting up a clinic

or adopting one of the affected regions, and upgrading

the medical setup there. An integrated delegation (based

on instructions from the Chinese) is being organized to

examine the needs and build a rehabilitation plan.

Seven tons of medical equipment for the casualties of

the Myanmar earthquake was dispatched to the affected

area. We are examining the possibility of upgrading

the initial medical setup at the camps by providing

training and counseling, and shipping equipment and

medicines.

Aid with an emphasis on medical equipment and

medicines on a large and medium scale was dispatched at

the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 to Nicaragua, Moldova, Uganda, Kenya, Bangui – Central African Republic (for Darfur refugees), Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and the Congo.

Two ambulances were donated for populations in the

outlying regions of Kenya.

MEDICAL AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES

Israel is often called upon to dispatch aid to countries in the wake of flood, famine, and other natural disasters. MASHAV, the Center for International Cooperation of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the body responsible for coordinating Israel’s official humanitarian assistance program. In these cases, MASHAV is able to use its vast experience in crisis response in order to rapidly dispatch the needed supplies, medicines, and medical assistance to countries in crisis.

In the last few years, MASHAV has sent numerous teams to partner countries to instruct professionals in Emergency and Disaster Medicine. These teams train cadres of doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and administrators to deal with mass casualty events and to treat multiple trauma patients, sharing clinical expertise and procedures for organizing a triaged response to mass casualty events. Theoretical training is accompanied by practical simulation exercises, sometimes with the participation of civil defense, firefighters, police, and hospitals, in accordance with scenarios relevant to the specific region.

Also for many years, MASHAV has been conducting "eye-camps" – blindness prevention and eye-care missions in partner countries. These missions, designed to treat patients suffering from various degrees of blindness and ocular disease, are undertaken by teams of 2 Israeli ophthalmologists and operate on the premises of local hospitals or clinics.

Hundreds of surgical procedures are performed by the visiting Israeli teams which work together with local staff, restoring sight to many of the patients. Israeli ophthalmologists also train the local personnel, and ophthalmologic equipment and supplies are donated by the Government of Israel.

The following is a periodic report of MASHAV activities in Humanitarian Assistance, compiled by Dr. Yossi Baratz, MASHAV’s Advisor for Health Matters and Humanitarian Assistance, and Mrs. Yona Yogev, MASHAV – July 2008

Humanitarian Aid Shipments:

In May 2008, a first shipment was sent to China to the

earthquake zone in Sichuan Province, containing 3.5

tons of equipment, including blankets, sleeping bags,

and water purifiers. Later, a jumbo jet was dispatched to

the earthquake zone with equipment valued at US$1.4

million which included tents, blankets, sleeping bags,

medicines, generators, operating beds, equipment

for medical operations, medical devices (such as ECG

devices), and water purification systems. At present,

37

38 39

Eye camps:

Eye camps continue to be held throughout the African

continent: Kakoma, Northern Kenya for Sudanese refugees

in collaboration with the UNHCR; Cameroon, Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Cote d’Ivoire.

Upgrading Medical Infrastructure:

Our medical network in Ethiopia is being expanded and

upgraded.

Two infrastructure upgrading projects were established

in Eritrea: A treatment unit for diving casualties was

established in Massawa, as was an intensive care unit

(ICU) in Asmara.

A dialysis unit was established in Dakar, Senegal, and

assistance in maintenance and training was provided.

Neonatology Units:

MASHAV is in advanced stages of setting up two units in Kumasi, Ghana, to reduce infant mortality. One unit was completed recently, and we are preparing training courses and supplementary counseling to put it into service. Preparations are underway for the construction of the second unit; this will be followed by counseling and training.

Water Issues:

China is making preparations for a joint project with

the Israel Corporation to set up a potable water supply

and purification plant in a district town in the Sichuan Province.

We are carrying out a water supply and purification

project for the Komfo Anokye Medical Center in the city

of Kumasi, Ghana.

EMERGENCY AND DISASTER MEDICINE

Training and counseling was provided in Mumbai, India; Kumasi, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; and Uganda – for all

parties involved in handling disasters, such as relevant

government ministries, the entire medical establishment,

the fire brigade, the local authorities, the airport authority,

the police, and more.

Rehabilitation of the Disabled:

Civil wars have left a large percentage of amputees in the

populations of many countries. Extensive assistance in this

area has been given to Angola, Cameroon and Uzbekistan, including the dispatch of equipment such as wheelchairs

and accessories for the disabled, as well as setting up

workshops to maintain the equipment and accessories sent

by MASHAV to the countries in need.

Mobile clinics:

Cambodia: We are purchasing and outfitting mobile

units in order to set up a medical system for mother and

child care in the rural regions of Cambodia.

Pacific Region: Preparations are underway to station

two doctors in Nauru for a two-month period.

We are formulating a diabetes treatment program in

for the Pacific Region, with a pilot program in Samoa and Palau, including sending experts and building an

extensive program in conjunction with several hospitals

in Israel.

Vanuatu: An Israeli doctor recently completed a one-

and-a-half month mission in family medicine and

organization of public health.

Cooperation with UN organizations:

WHO (World Health Organization): Preparations are

underway to implement a joint program. Decision makers

and experts involved in preparing for emergencies in

Eastern Europe and the CIS recently came to Israel to study

and further their knowledge on the topic. The first phase

took place in June of this year with 25 senior personnel

coming to Israel for this purpose. The second phase involves

promoting a multi-year agreement with the WHO to train

senior personnel in Israel.

UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe): We are working on a plan to promote a joint water

security program in the Eurasian countries.

UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency): Cooperation on water

and sanitation issues at refugee camps (Kakoma, Kenya; Bangui, Central African Republic; Burma; and Chad) is

being promoted. In addition, Israeli experts are slated to be

added to the organization's database of experts.

38 MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

38 39

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Readers:

Once more, Shalom Magazine is being sent to all its graduates around the globe, bringing news about MASHAV, the Center for International Cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This year, we marked MASHAV’s 50th anniversary. Founded in late 1957 by then-Minister of Foreign Affairs Golda Meir, MASHAV is the culmination of her vision to share Israel’s development experience with other emerging nations.

During the past half century, over 250,000 professionals from all over the world have taken part in MASHAV programs in Israel and abroad. Today, they form a wide net of devoted people who continue their work throughout the world, striving to alleviate shared global concerns by adapting their acquired knowledge to local realities.

As computers become more accessible, many more of you are going on-line. You can learn about MASHAV’s many programs and activities on an ongoing basis by going to our Web site at http://mashav.mfa.gov.il where you can also send comments and suggestions.

In addition, we are developing a new digital newsletter, which will include information on exciting innovations that we – and you, our graduates – are making in various fields. In this regard if you have a new e-mail address, please forward it, enabling us to update our database and provide you with this important information.

With warm regards,

AVNIT RIFKIN

Editor

Shalom MagazineShalom MagazineShalomP.O.Box 34140Jerusalem 91341ISRAELshalom@haigud.org.il

February 2008

Dear Editor,Thank you for still having me in

mind for posting your useful Shalom Magazine to me. I attended the

11th International Course on the

Groundwater Research at the Hebrew

University, Rehovot in 1979-80. I have

enjoyed reading the regular features

with other information about in Israel.

I also would like to send my thanks to

the Ministry of Foreign Affair, Israel, for

giving me a scholarship for my study in

Israel. Thank you and May God bless

you all.

Nyan Soe No. 8/B Sabalyone Street,

East Ywama, Insein P.O.

Yangon

MYANMAR

paw@yangon.net.mm

March 2008

Dear Editor,I take this opportunity to send my

congratulations and Good-will message

to you in celebrating the MASHAV’s

50th Anniversary Celebrations this year.

This is not a mean achievement and

a great milestone. And I therefore take

this time to share with you this joyous,

historical and memorable occasion.

I am a Kenyan Environmentalist and

a 1990 UNEP Global 500 Laureate. I

was privileged to be a participant on

scholarship at the SPNI International

Seminar on Environmental Education

Conservation and public Action

held from March 20 to April 10,

1994, sponsored by MASHAV which

also included participating at an

international conference at Eilat.

Currently, I am working as the

Executive Director of Permaculture

Foundation of Kenya, an NGO, which

promotes Permaculture Education and

Training. As a trainer, I personally

propagate MASHAV’s motto “Training

others”. These are permaculture

enthusiastic, local farmers, youth and

women groups, entrepreneurs amongst

others.

The impact of the SPNI seminar was

enormous in terms of acquisition of

relevant environmental conservation

and protection knowledge, skills and

international visibility which have

hugely facilitated my personal growth

in my current work and also for the

development of my region of Kenya.

The seminar provided me with relevant

tools for new work – permaculture

which has a lot of relevance to life in

Israel as 60% of Israel is Negev Desert,

and 20% is sand dune.

Permaculture turns what people

consider as “waste” or “useless” into

wealth and assets typical of Israeli

situations i.e “savananization” program

39

of the Negev desert, remains a world

living example. Kibbutz operations

have also a lot in common with

permaculture principles and ethical

values.

I also had a rare chance, a one time

opportunity to visit the places of

historical and holy significance in

Israel. Once again, I wish you the best

of luck in all MASHAV’s endeavors

while celebrating its 50th Anniversary

this year, and also in its future goals

and plans.

Thanks for sending me Shalom Magazine.

Best regards,

Michael A.N Odula Executive Director

Permaculture Foundation of Kenya,

P.O Box 132

Homa Bay – 40300

KENYA

lvicperm@yahoo.co.uk

�

March 2008

Dear Editor,Let me first congratulate MASHAV

for celebrating its 50th anniversary

during this 2008. If I am too late for

congratulating this mega event, let me

convey the advance one for the coming

100th.

I was one of the lucky 25 participants

in the International R&D Course on

Irrigation and Fertigation in Controlled

Environment held during November

23 to December 16, 2004 at CINADCO.

I can still remember those sweet days

with friends from around the globe.

Our teachers and advisors were very

helpful. The lessons we learnt have

practical implications and we are

trying to translate the same in our

countries.

I would like to convey my sincere

regards and best wishes to every one

associated with MASHAV, CINADCO,

ARO, Shalom Club Members, Shalom

Magazine readers, all participants

till date as well as to each and every

person of Israel.

God bless you.

Sincerely yours

Dr. Amit Baran Sharangi Associate Professor, Department of

Spices and Plantation Crops

Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya

P.O. Krishiviswavidyalaya-741252,

Nadia WB,

INDIA

dr_absharangi@yahoo.co.in

�The following letter was sent to Dr. Ron

Maymon at the Sackler Faculty of

Medicine:

July 2008

Dear Dr. Maymon, Dear Ilana, Dafna and Annette!

I wish to express once more my sincere

gratefulness for your wonderful

program, your endless attention and

care. Due to you these 3 months we

have spent in PARADISE and it is the

view of all MASHAV participants. We

have chosen exactly this word.

We started to understand better and

respect the culture and the history of

Israel. The program was beneficial not

only for professional fields, but also for

relationships and a life experience. This

new country is an example in many

aspects. Your kindness and inspiration

is a reliable basis of the cloudless

future of Israel.

We wish your blossomed country

happiness and peace. I wish you all the

best in your social and private lives.

Thank you!

Nino Eloshvili GEORGIA

nino.eloshvili@gmail.com

�

February 2008

Dear Editor,I received Shalom Magazine for

Alumni of MASHAV Training courses

2007, thank you very much. I would

like to thank the Israel ministry of

Foreign Affairs and MASHAV for

arranging and facilitating the visit. I

would like to thank again the Federal

Ministry of Ethiopia, I-tech through

CDC Ethiopia collaboration with

the Ministry of Health Israel & the

Hadassah AIDS Center, and the Sheba

Medical Center for giving me the

opportunity to be trained in advanced

and practical clinic training on

antiretroviral treatment for prevention

and care for people living with HIV/

AIDS.

I have got very useful practical

clinical training, I am still working on

Antiretroviral treatment counseling and

care for people living with HIV/AIDS

Sincerly yours,

Kitaw Beyene Kokeb P.O.BOX 30151

Addis Ababa

ETHIOPIA

kokebbeyene@yahoo.com

�

February 2008

Dear Editor, First of all I would like to thank the

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and

MASHAV for still according me the

opportunity of receiving the Shalom Magazine though it takes time to reach

me here in Malawi.

I was one of the participants who

attended the workshop on Psycho–

logical and Physical Rehabilitation in

the Community in 1998, at the Golda

Meir Mount Carmel International

Training Center in Haifa. Despite

years have passed, I still have fresh

memories of your peace loving people.

I do miss all the historical places I had

40

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RIA

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RD

41

EDITORIAL BOARD

HAIM DIVON

Deputy Director GeneralMinistry of Foreign AffairsHead of MASHAVJerusalem

OFRA FARHI

DirectorMASHAV Policy Planning and ExternalRelations DepartmentJerusalem

YAACOV ABUTBUL

Deputy Director GeneralHaigud Society for Transfer of TechnologyJerusalem

GERSHON GAN

Ambassador (retired)Israel Ministry of Foreign AffairsJerusalem

ZVI HERMAN

DirectorCINADCO The Center for International Agricultural Development CooperationMinistry of AgricultureBet Dagan

MAZAL RENFORD

DirectorGolda Meir Mount Carmel InternationalTraining CenterHaifa

JOYCE FRIED

Course CoordinatorDivision for External studiesFaculty of Agricultural, Food andEnvironmental Quality SciencesHebrew University of JerusalemRehovot

EDITOR: Avnit Rifkin

PRODUCTION &GRAPHIC DESIGN: Youval Tal Ltd.

PUBLISHED BY: Haigud Society for Transfer of Technology P.O.Box 34140 Jerusalem 91341

Printed in IsraelISSN 0792-8262

visited during my four week stay.

I am still able to use the knowledge

gained, particularly helping people

with psychiatric conditions. I am still

working at National Mental Hospital

here in Malawi. Through the Shalom Magazine am able to know what other

activities you are offering, therefore it

is my plea that I should be always on

your list.

I would like to extend my fond of

memories to all my fellow participants

who attended that workshop. May

peace prevail in Israel.

Shalom,

McEvans E. PhiriZomba Mental Hospital

P.O. Box 38

MALAWI

mephiri61@yahoo.com

�

The following letter was sent to Vivian

Silver, Executive Director of the Negev

Institute for Strategies of Peace and

Development (NISPED):

July 2008

Dear Madam, I’m glad to report that my trip back

to Nigeria, in the company of my

countrymen, was smooth and a fun.

As I sit back in my home now to

recall all the wonderful experiences

that were mine in the past 28 days in

Israel, I lack the appropriate words to

express my profound gratitude to you

for the invaluable part you played in

making this a reality. My family is also

sending their regards to you for taking

good care of me throughout the course

duration.

My promise remains that I shall apply

the knowledge and experience and

networks that I have acquired in the

course of the program to advance the

cause of peace and development in

my environment and area of influence.

Among other things, my stay in Israel

under your program has impressed

upon me that men and women still

exist who are supremely and selflessly

dedicated to the ideals of peace

and development amongst peoples

of the world. Your membership and

commitment to cooperative living

within a kibbutz is one aspect of my

great experiences that people here

are still finding hard to understand.

Perhaps my Nigerian society needs

more of cooperative ideals and values

to counter-balance the prevalent unrest

in our polity in particular and the

society at large.

Once more, I thank you for the

opportunity given me to participate

in the program, as I look forward to

meeting you again either in Nigeria or

Israel.

Kindest regards,

Basil OgbozorNIGERIA

basilogb@yahoo.co.uk

�

This letter was sent to Mazal Renford,

Director of MCTC:

Dear Ms. Renford,I would like to express my best

feelings for your hospitality during

our visit to Israel. We witnessed good

educational examples and practices

for deaf children. The experience we

gained from this trip has been very

useful for me. I hope there will be other

opportunities for us to meet and to

go on with our dialog. I would like to

thank you and the staff of the Mount

Carmel Training Center for your support

and assistance.

Sincerely yours,

Prof.Dr.Adnan Kulaksızo lu Marmara Universitesi

TURKEY

adnank@ma