National Commission for UNESCO

Report on Activities 2004-2005 Written by: Daniel Bar-Elli, Secretary-General, Israel National Commission for UNESCO

Hebrew editing: Yael Lavi-Bleiweiss

English translation: Sagir International Translations Ltd.

Hebrew typing: Hedva Amar, Senior Coordinator, Israel National Commission for UNESCO

Design and layout: Peles, Printing Co.

Published by: Publications Department, Ministry of Education

2 3 Content

1. Introduction------5

2. Activities of the Committees------9 • Education for All • Science • Culture • World Heritage • Social and Human Sciences • Information for All

3. Israel in UNESCO ------40

4. UNESCO in Israel ------44

5. Cooperation with Member States------50

2 3 4 5 1. Introduction The most prominent achievement in 2004-2005 was the election of Israel to four Intergovernmental UNESCO Commissions: International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC), World Heritage Committee (WHC), Man and the Biosphere (MAB) and Management of Social Transformations (MOST). This transition from observer status to an influencing status demands an allocation of appropriate resources in order to strengthen the bilateral relationship between UNESCO and Israel.

This achievement is a by-product of the development of closer professional ties with UNESCO over the past years. The National Commission has successfully developed professional activities with different Sectors at UNESCO, overcoming the previous one-dimensional approach to Israel which had been colored solely by the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Israel National Commission decided to change its policy towards UNESCO from that of a recipient state to a donor state. Israel contributes fifteen percent on top of its membership dues to the Organization, as a donation to special UNESCO

Year Sector/Sphere Program $ Program

Intangible Culture Bukhara Jewish Museum 20,000 Uzbekistan

Management Program 10,000 Auschwitz-Birkenau 2004 World Heritage International Cooperation 25,000 India

Higher Education Post-Doctorate Fellowship 150,000 Worldwide

IBE Analysis of Curricula 20,000 Worldwide

World Heritage Africa Heritage Fund 25,000 Africa 2005 External Relations UNESCO Security 22,000 Worldwide

Communication IPDC 25,000 Worldwide

The improved relations between UNESCO and Israel over these years are also reflected in an improvement in Israel’s status within the European group, and particularly in the resolutions of the General Conference and the Executive Board of UNESCO. The resolutions relating to the question of Jerusalem and to education and culture in the Palestinian Authority areas have become more moderate and balanced. This softer atmosphere has helped promote the gradual emergence of a healthier relationship between Israel and UNESCO.

4 5 Over these two years the Israel National Commission has continued to strengthen and advance the work of the committees in the following fields: Education for All, Culture, World Heritage, Social and Human Sciences, Information for All and Science.

Education for All – activities focus mainly on promoting projects from its subcommittees: the ASPnetwork and environment (SEMEP).

Culture – the Committee is in the process of reorganization and is due to operate on a new platform composed of the Culture Sector Administration, the Pedagogic Secretariat and NGOs.

World Heritage – the Committee has worked to inculcate and implement the World Heritage Convention among decision-makers in planning authorities and NGOs. Two sites were added to the World Heritage list – the Biblical Tels and the Incense Route.

Social and Human Sciences – managed to create opportunities for activities with civil society.

Information for All – there is an enhanced awareness of the digital gap.

Science – the activities of its Committees were diverse – Hydrology (IHP), Man and the Biosphere (MAB), Oceanography (IOC) and Geology (ICGP).

One area where our efforts have been unsuccessful is in the recruiting of resources from Government Ministries. The National Commission’s decision of 2003 called on Government Ministries that are involved in its activities to fund the operations of the relevant committees. This call has not been heeded.

The flow of professional, technical and official missions from UNESCO Headquarters has increased. The different missions that visited Israel were headed by the Deputy Director-General (June 2004, June 2005), the Director of the World Heritage Center (March 2005, September 2005), the Assistant Director-General for Culture (March 2005, October 2005), the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences (January 2005), the President of the General Conference (June 2004) and the Chairperson of the Executive Board (March 2005).

The main purpose of these visits was to promote dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. It was also understood that the one-dimensional nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has ramifications in terms of the development of bilateral relations between UNESCO and Israel.

The National Commission chairpersons actively participated as observers at most meetings of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committees: World Heritage, Social and Human Sciences, Hydrology, Oceanography, Man and the Biosphere and Geology. Israeli experts also attended meetings of the International Bioethics Committee, the UNESCO Chairs and Higher Education.

6 7 Representatives of the Israel National Commission attended the 169th and 171st Sessions of UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris, and it was represented at the 33rd General Conference by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport.

Israeli Delegation to the 33rd General Conference (October 2005) MK Limor Livnat Minister of Education, Culture and Sport Mr. David Kornbluth Israel Ambassador to UNESCO Mr. David Lefler Director-General, Ministry of Science Mr. Ilan Elgar Director, International Organizations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Pnina El-Al Deputy Director, Department of Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Micha Yinon Head, Culture Authority, Ministry of Education, Culture Sport Prof. Michael Turner Chairperson ISWITC. Prof. Niv Ahituv Chairperson, Information for All Committee (IS IFA) Dr. Husam Masalhah Ministry of Science and Technology Ms. Dana Parnas Israel Delegation to UNESCO Mr. Daniel Bar-Elli Secretary-General, Israel National Commission Participants in the 3rd UNESCO Youth Forum (October 2005): Ms. Sukaina Shalbi (Ministry of Education), Ms. Sarit Felber (WUJS).

Over the past two years the National Commission has translated and produced several UNESCO publications relevant to its work; these will be made available on the National Commission’s website.

The National Commission has taken action to protect the UNESCO logos – (MAB), (IOC), (ASP), (WHC), (IHP) – thus preserving the interests of both UNESCO and the National Commission.

Ten Participation Program Requests were allocated a total of $146,000. This allocation is largely responsible for solidifying UNESCO’s presence in Israel. The main conclusion drawn from the Participation Program is the importance of ensuring an ongoing sustainable impact. PP Requests that received a high level of funding ($75,000) did not produce any sustainable activity, while a PP Request that received just $10,000 in the field of bioethics has resulted in the establishment of a UNESCO Chair, the publication of booklets and involvement in ethical issues at UNESCO.

During these two years the Secretariat has worked with the assistance of interns interested in learning about UNESCO’s activities in Israel and around the world: Ms. Andrea Reinhart (USA) and Ms. Talia Preis (UK).

The close cooperation with Israel’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, headed by Ambassador Jacques Revah, should be noted. There was a high level of cooperation in all fields of UNESCO’s competence, also in sponsoring events within UNESCO:

6 7 Concerts on behalf of Israeli organizations – Hand for the Child, Akim, the Weizmann Institute and the Technion. The screening of the premier of the film “Walk on Water” and the film “James’ Journey to Jerusalem” to mark International Tolerance Day was in cooperation with the French and German Ambassadors. A peak event was a Hanukkah Party and candle-lighting ceremony for members of the World Heritage Committee, held on the initiative of the Israel World Heritage Committee Chairperson at UNESCO Headquarters (December 2004).

Over the past two years membership in the National Commission of the Chief Scientists from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology has not been realized in practical terms. During the same period, the National Commission has welcomed new members: Ms. Amira Chaim (Director-General and Chairperson), Professor Sidney Strauss, Chief Scientist (Ministry of Education), Professor Mina Teicher, Chief Scientist (Ministry of Science and Technology), Mr. Roni Leshno-Yaar (Deputy Director-General, International Organizations), Mr. Arthur Avnon (Deputy Director-General, Department of Cultural and Scientific Relations, Foreign Ministry), Dr. Herut Barak, Director General, Oceanography Institute (IOC) and Dr. Binyamin Zeev Begin, Director-General of the Geological Survey (IGCP).

Thanks and best wishes to the retiring members of the Commission: Ms. Ronit Tirosh (Chairperson), Dr. Yuval Cohen (IOC), Dr. Amos Bein (IGCP), Professor Hagit Messer- Yaron (Science) and Mr. Yechiel Leiter (Education). Mr. Meir Shetreet replaced Ms. Limor Livnat (Minister of Education, Culture and Sport) as the President of the Israel National Commission for UNESCO.

We would here also like to thank all the chairpersons and members of the National Commission, subcommittees and steering committees who continue to be active and to contribute to the promotion of its work. Thanks also to those who help us behind the scenes: Ms. Hedva Amar, Mr. Motti Meroz, Mr. Eddy Hershkowitz, Ms. Tammy Weizmann (Ministry of Education), Ms. Pnina El-Al, Mr. Uri Amitai, Mr. Rafi Gamzu, Mr. Ilan Elgar (Foreign Ministry), Mr. Shuka Dorfman and his staff (Antiquities Authority), Mr. Eli Amitai and his staff (Nature and Parks Authority), Mr. Gershon Avni and his staff (JNF), Ms. Nira Peretz and her staff (Israel Government Tourist Corporation) and the Ministries of the Environment, Tourism, and Science and Technology.

The 2006-2007 workplan of the Israel National Commission is dynamic, ongoing and highly flexible in order to adapt to the needs of UNESCO as defined from time to time.

8 9 2. Activities of the Committees Six Committees are active in Israel: Education for All, Culture, World Heritage, Social and Human Sciences, Information for All and Science.

The first three of these committees are headed by ex-officio chairpersons from the Ministries of Education, Science and Culture respectively. The last three committees are chaired by internationally renowned experts in the relevant fields.

The committees operate under the auspices of the secretariat of the Israel National Commission, which also provides services, support and sponsorship of programs and local international conferences.

Education for All Committee Chairperson: Professor Yaacov Katz, Chairperson of the Pedagogic Secretariat, Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport

The Education for All Committee and the Israel National Commission share the sorrow felt by the UNESCO family at the passing of Dr. Cecilia Braslavsky, Director of the International Board of Education (IBE). In cooperation with the Committee, Dr Braslavsky initiated an international comparison of curricula which was recently published by Dr. Aaron Ben-Arot.

General The Education for All Committee is active in several fields – ASPnet; Chairs in Israel, Environmental Education (SEMEP) and Higher Education.

• On the recommendation of the Adult Education Division, the National Commission helped develop a website for the implementation of the 1997 Hamburg Declaration on Adult Learning. • In cooperation with the Perach Project (tutoring of pupils) at the Weizmann Institute of Science, the National Commission initiated a study in several African countries – Gambia, South Africa and Malawi – in order to promote implementation of the Perach program in the Sub-Sahara Region. • The divisions of the Ministry, and particularly the Superintendents Division (Physical Education, Environmental Education, Geography, Health, Youth Advancement, Special Education, Adult Education) cooperate on an ongoing basis with the secretariat, exchanging information and professional literature and planning joint activities in Israel and abroad. • The Committee sponsored the Bilingual School in Jerusalem’s request for a donation from UNESCO (Action Plan) for the development of a bilingual Hebrew and Arabic curriculum. • The Committee supported and sponsored the National Geography Quiz in cooperation with the Superintendent for Geography.

8 9 The Committee managed to develop links with key educational organizations in Israel: Center for Educational Technology, Teacher Colleges (Gordon, Beit Berl, Oranim, Kaye, Sapir and David Yellin) and the Schools of Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at University. Working relations were also developed with the NGOs Meca, Mosaica and the Youth Exchange Council.

Curricula and Study Materials • Israel’s position on the subject was presented to UNESCO, arguing that the focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be diluted and that this subject should be part of a global program dealing with problems in textbooks and study materials relating to areas of conflict. Israel submitted to UNESCO a detailed and updated plan with universal parameters for the development of syllabuses and study materials (in three languages).

10 11 Sponsorship of Educational Programs

Subject Organization Date

Education for Peace and Social Solidarity School of Education, the Hebrew During and After Conflicts. Cyprus, Nigeria, University of Jerusalem (Dr. Zvi June 2005 Northern Ireland, South Africa, Israel, US, Bekkerman) Finland and Rwanda. Director of the Youth Exchange Council Youth Volunteers in the Euro-Med Community March 2005 (Mr. David Krausz)

Environmental Education (SEMEP) Chairperson: Mr. Israel Wasserstein, Superintendent

Several schools participated in the program, using the curriculum prepared by UNESCO.

• At a meeting in Greece, a school training booklet developed in Israel was presented on the subject of education for sustainability (water and ecosystems). • A competition on the subject of water was held by school students under the auspices of the Faculty of Engineering of Tel Aviv University. • The Globe project, which operates in senior high schools, focused on the collection of environmental data (precipitation, climate, seasons, water sources and community action to help the environment); the data is transferred to a database in the US and helps researchers in their work.

Associated Schools Program (ASP) Chairperson – Dr. Yael Harel, Beit Berl College

• Dr. Harel participated in a meeting of the European National Coordinators of the program which was held in Luxembourg (April 2005). • Ceremonies to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the international ASPnetwork were held in New Zealand. Participants from Israel included the honorary president of the network in Israel Dr. Esther Lucas, Dr. Yael Harel and Ms. Aviva Shulman (July 2004). • 25 schools (high schools and junior high schools) and Teacher Colleges are active in the network. • Two new schools joined this year: Shaked School (Ra’anana) and Emek-Hefer School (Ma’abarot), which won the Education Prize for the 2003/2004 school year. • Hayovel School () initiated a Timeun-UN model as part of learning about the decision-making process in the UN, in cooperation with Jewish and Arab schools. • Carmella Goldglass, Principal of Shaked School Ra’anana, initiated a coexistence project for the principals of Jewish and Arab schools. The project is operating for

10 11 the second year in the Central District. At the meetings, the principals grapple with problems of coexistence and ways to respond to problematic situations. • The study booklet “Footsteps in the Grass,” produced by Gordon College, was translated into Arabic. The booklet addresses the issue of encountering and accepting the other. • The network’s representative, Carmella Goldglass, attended a meeting in Alexandria, Egypt organized by the Anna Lind Foundation of the European Union as part of the Euro-Med partners project (September 2005). • The network’s flagship coexistence project was implemented by Shaked, Jaljuliya, Tira and Ben Zvi Schools. • Ramot Hefer School focused on sustainable education – preservation of the sea turtles in Alexander Stream. • Two seminars were held in conjunction with ASP on the initiative of the UNESCO Chair “Education for Multiculturalism and Peace”: Human Rights (December 2004) and Family Day (December 2005).

12 13 International Physical Education and Sports Education Year, 2005 At the Schools Premier League Basketball Championship game for high schools in January 2005, a ceremony was held to mark the announcement of 2005 as International Year. Certificates of excellence that were presented at all school sports competitions included the National Commission logo.

• Shaked School in Ra’anana and Al- Majd School in Tira, from ASPnet, also held a joint Sports Day to mark International Year. • The Ministry devoted Physical Education Week to the theme of International Year (May 2005). • Israel was represented by Mr. Shimoni, Superintendent in the Physical Education Division, at the Athens Conference of Ministers of Sport (MINEP, August 2004) and presented a workplan for the International Year which was published in the Director-General’s Circular. • The Greek Ambassador to UNESCO and the Mayor of Paris initiated a ceremony in Paris to mark the handing over of the Olympic Torch by student Ziad Mustafa from Issawiya to Lotus Amar of on its way to the Olympic Games in Athens.

Higher Education Chairman: Professor Shlomo Grossman, Chairperson, Planning and Budgeting Committee, Council for Higher Education

• In coordination with the Council of Higher Education (CHE) and the chairperson of the Planning and Budgeting Committee, the joint program of UNESCO and the CHE was revived. The program provides ten post-doctorate scholarships for young researchers from developing countries. • In coordination with the Foreign Relations Division, a group of students from Achva College participated in a study tour of the education system in Ethiopia.

12 13 14 15 Visit to Israel of UNESCO Experts

Name of Expert Field Place and Date of Visit

Soo Hyang Choi Director, Early Childhood Division Carmel Center (May 2005)

• A substantial aspect of the Committee’s work is representing Israel at UNESCO conventions and meetings.

Participation in UNESCO Education Conferences

Meeting/Conference Date and Place Representative

Education for All January 2004, France Dr. Aharon Ben-Avot, IBE, Geneva

Attorney Naftali Witman, Council of Lisbon Convention June 2004, France Higher Education

August 2004, Greece Mr. Ofer Shimoni Ministry of Physical Education (MINEP IV) October 2005, Switzerland Education (Physical Education) The Moral and Ethical Dimension Professor Chaim Goren, Tel-Hai of Higher Education and Science September 2004, Romania College (CEPES) Professor Yaacov Katz (Pedagogic International Convention of September 2004, Secretariat), Ms. Lea Rosenberg Education Ministers (ICE) Switzerland (Pedagogic Administration), Mr. Daniel Bar-Elli (UNESCO) October 2004, Environmental Education (SEMEP) Farid Hamdan, Ministry of Education May 2005, Turkey Ms. Shlomit Rahamal, Ministry of Gifted Students October 2004, Hungary Education The Right to Education and November 2004, Professor Rami Yogav, Tel Aviv Education’s Rights Netherlands University

Education for All Dr. Aharon Ben Avot (IBE) November 2004, France Prof. Sarah Guri-Rosenblit, Open Higher Education Research Forum University Prof. Rami Benvenisti, Hebrew Children and Violence; Integrative University of Jerusalem, Ms. Hannah November 2004, France Policy and Local Government Shademi (Psychological Counseling Service), Ministry of Education

14 15 Ms. Tova Ben-Ari (Students Rights), Little Big People – Children’s Rights February 2005, Hungary Ministry of Education Lifelong Education – Literacy and Ms. Maggie Koren (Adult April 2005, France Citizenship Education), Ministry of Education Dr. Yael Harel, ASPnet National ASPnet May 2005, Luxembourg Coordinator, Beit Berl College Dr. Yael Harel, Dr. Esther Lucas, Ms. 50th Anniversary of ASPnet July 2005, New Zealand Aviva Shulman Quality Education for Children at Dr. Ami Volansky, Tel Aviv June 2005, Slovakia Risk University Ms. Carmella Goldglass, Principal, Anna Lind Foundation – ASPnet September 2005, Egypt Shaked School, Ra’anana

Science Committee Professor Mina Teicher (Bar-Ilan University), the Chief Scientist in the Ministry of Science and Technology, replaced Professor Hagit Messer-Yaron (Tel Aviv University) in 2005.

• For almost two years, no Chief Scientist was appointed in the Ministry of Science and the Committee’s work was essentially frozen. • In October 2004, through the secretariat of the National Commission and at the request of the Director-General of the Ministry of Science, a detailed work plan was submitted in the fields of Information for All, Social and Human Science and Science for Peace, for sub-committees: MAB, IOC, IGCP and IHP. The expectation was that the workplan would be budgeted and implemented, but this did not materialize. • The main activities of the Science Committee took place through the sub- committees of Water, Geology, Oceanography and Man and the Biosphere. Sponsorship of Science Program

Subject Date and Place Organization

Upgrading Wastewater for Professor Rafi Smeite, Grand Water January 2004, Unrestricted Use Res.Inst., Technion Ministry of Environment, Nature and Biodiversity June 2004, Tel Aviv Parks Authority, Tel Aviv University Water for Life in the Middle East: October 2004, Turkey Dr. Gershon Baskin, IPCRI Israel-Palestine Meeting of Israeli- Palestinian November 2004, Hungary Beitan, CRB Foundation Science Organization (IPSO) Nurturing a Positive Attitude to Dr. Etti Ararat, Biological Institute, June 2005, Haifa Animals (Biodiversity) Haifa Water, Medicine and December 2005, France Professor Uri Shamir, Technion Biotechnology Micro-organism: Water and Professor Alon Adar, Zuckerberg September 2005, Sde-Boker 16 Aquifer Institute, Ben-Gurion University 17 International Physics Year • To mark the one-hundredth anniversary of the publication of the three legendary studies by Albert Einstein, the year 2005 was declared Einstein Year. • An Israeli delegation headed by Dr. Zvi Paltiel, with young researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science, participated in an international meeting Physics for Tomorrow held in Paris in January 2005. • On the initiative of the Superintendent for Physics, Dr. Michael Sela, a rich program of events and activities took place (see table) and a poster was published of stamp issues from different countries in honor of Einstein. • The Israel Academy of Sciences celebrated International Physics Year at a Conference held in Jerusalem in April 2005, which was attended by a large number of guests from around the world. • The Postal Service issued a stamp to mark Einstein’s Wonderful Centuty

Einstein stamp around the world

16 17 International Physics Year – 2005 Summary of Activities

Activity Organization Date Participants

Opening event of Physics Year UNESCO January Young scientists

Einstein Stamps Poster Museum of Philately All year Secondary Schools

National Science Museum, 7th-12th grade students Exhibition: Particle Physics January – March Haifa and teachers Bloomfield Science Students, teachers and Physics Toy Exhibition Summer 2005 Museum, Jerusalem general public Bloomfield Science Museum Jerusalem in Students, teachers and Einstein Exhibition October cooperation with the general public Hebrew University Bloomfield Science 7th-12th grade students Exhibition of Robots April Museum, Jerusalem and teachers Physics Photography National Center for Physics students in February Competition Physics Teachers senior high schools High school students; teachers and supporters National Physics Olympics Technion April in the national tournament Young Scientists Competition in Bloomfield Science All year Students the spirit of Physics Year Museum, Jerusalem Competition to build models of Bloomfield Science Students and general All year physics toys Museum, Jerusalem public Bloomfield Science Einstein essays competition All year High school students Museum, Jerusalem Ministry of Education, Scientific Industry and Education Davidson Institute, February Industry and academia Seminar Taasiyada National Academy of 11th-12th grade Einstein Heritage Conference April Science students and teachers Physics teachers, Einstein lectures Weizmann Institute All year outstanding students Why Einstein? Hebrew University of Physics and general February Prof. Hanoch Gottfreund Jerusalem knowledge enthusiasts Twenty Scientific Landmarks of Outstanding students the Twentieth Century – Prof. Weizmann Institute March from high schools Chaim Harari

18 19 Geology Chairperson: Dr. Amos Bein, Director of the Geological Institute retired, and was replaced by Dr. Binyamin Zeev Begin (2005).

• During his tenure in office, Dr. Bein was elected member of the Scientific Executive of UNESCO’s International Geological Correlation Program (IGCP). • Israel donated $5,000 towards the activities of Planet Earth Year, an International UNESCO Year in 2008. • A National Geography Quiz was held for junior-high students in 37 schools around Israel, under the auspices of the Geology Museum in Ramat Hasharon. The goal of the quiz was to raise awareness of geography studies in high schools.

Oceanography (IOC) Chairperson: Dr. Yuval Cohen, Director of the National Institute of Oceanography, retired and was replaced by Dr. Herut Barak (2005).

• Israel donated $10,000 towards the development of a Tsunami Warning System in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. Dr. Dov Rosen participated in meetings aimed at developing these systems. • The Oceanography Committee has yet to define its composition and working methods.

Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Chairperson: Professor Tamar Dayan, Tel Aviv University

• During the 33rd General Conference, Israel was elected to the Intergovernmental MAB Council. • Dr. Yehoshua Shakedi of the Nature and Parks Authority represented Israel at the International MAB Council meeting held at UNESCO (October 2004). • An Israeli delegation participated in the Euro-MAB Conference held in : Dr. Eliezer Frankberg (NPA), Mr. Shlomo Brand (Ramot Menashe BR) and Mr. Shlomi Shaked (Judea Plains BR) • The Administration of Planning in the Ministry of the Interior is preparing a National Master Plan for Biosphere in Israel. • In cooperation with the Israel Government Tourist Corporation and Haifa University, the Committee initiated a survey dealing with the interface between Tourism and Ecology in BR in Israel. The first part of the survey has been completed. • Preparation of Israel’s guide on BR has been completed. The guide is currently being edited and will be distributed to all stakeholders. • The Committee assisted in the translation and editing of the Planet Earth Charter into Hebrew.

18 19 • A conference for pupils on the subject of Nurturing a Positive Attitude to Animals was held on the initiative of the Biological Institute in Haifa, and the of the Ministry of Education (June 2005). • The Committee sponsored and assisted in two conferences: Biodiversity – A National Program for Long-Term Ecological Reinforcement and Research, initiated by the Environment Ministry in cooperation with the Committee’s member organizations (June 2004), and Managing and Preserving Mediterranean Ecosystems, initiated by the Yad Hanadiv Foundation (April 2005). • The Committee continued to supervise and monitor the process of development of the Biospheres Reserve in Israel

Carmel Yoav-Yehuda Plain Ramat Menashe

Statutory Inscribed. Biosphere Master Plan submitted. No Plan deposited by the District Status Reserve statutory status Planning Committee * Steering Committee includes local representatives, farmers, * Land swap project with herdsmen, managers of Hacarmel City. communities and economic * Resident involvement coordinators, as well as the Lotem in various rehabilitation and Megiddo Green Associations * Meeting of Urbanix works. and representatives of the Public Steering Committee to * Promoting use of barn Government and the Regional Involvement plan public involvement owls and falcons for Council. (October 2006) biological pest control. * The Community is being * The Blue & Green involved in planning and Association is active on promoting the BR. the Carmel Coast. * Cooperation and coordination with the IDF which undertakes exercises in the area. Monitoring by the Nature and Parks Authority and Academic Institutions: * Winter pools * Monitoring is undertaken Monitoring * Monitoring is undertaken by * Nesting of predatory by the KKL-JNF and and the KKL-JNF and the Nature and birds the Nature and Parks Research Parks Authority * White lily Authority * Deer * Grazing * Fire rehabilitation * Hundreds of rooms for * Park Route. visitors in moshavim and * Regional Festivals: - Path for people with Tourism kibbutzim Bible, wine, food disabilities in Nahal Shofet. projects * Development of routes * Biking, riding and - “Cattle Land” project for car, bike, horse and walking - “Peace Valley” foot.

20 21 * Adoption of sites for * Updates on regional rehabilitation by schools * Joint planning with NPA development in the local * In-service training and KKL-JNF newspaper/website Educational increment for teachers * Possible cooperation * Seminar on Soil and Water Programs * Project in Carmel Coast with Intel * Servicing special needs school; young people * Website populations in activities in the preserving sea turtles “Peace Valley” * Attempts to ensure * Development of * Candidacy for the UNESCO Management orderly signposting in the a Regional Coordination MAB Council is currently being BR Forum prepared * Promoting and * Cooperation with the Key themes implementing the regional public * Submission of candidacy (2008) for 2007 TAMAM-6 Plan * Developing Tel Zafit and * Public involvement Nahal Ha’ela

Hydrology (ISHIP) Chairperson: Professor Daniel Ronen, Ben-Gurion University and the Water Commission

• “The Blue Planet – The Water Cycle” curriculum has been translated into Spanish as part of Israel’s contribution to the International Decade of Sustainable Education. The curriculum was initiated by the Curriculum and Development Division of the Ministry of Education and the Weizmann Institute of Science and aims to inculcate awareness of the water cycle and its importance among junior high school students. The second part of the curriculum allows for the development of a context-oriented curriculum for building an appropriate model for local ecosystems in various countries • The Committee developed international contacts with the UNESCO Center for Arid and Semi-Arid Zones in (CAZALAC). • International Water Prize – the candidacy of Professor Arye Isser of Ben-Gurion University in the was submitted for the UNESCO Water Prize for 2005; the candidacy was not successful. • Cooperation of Israel Research Institutions – on the initiative of the Chairperson of the Committee, the level of coordination between the two institutes – Grand Water Research Institute (Technion) and Zuckerberg Institute (Ben-Gurion) has been improving. The cooperation was demonstrated in a joint conference on the subject: Micro-organisms – Water and Aquifer (September 2005), which was attended by international experts and representatives from the Palestinian Authority. In addition, the Committee sponsored two regional conferences in the field of water. The first was initiated by the Grand Water Research Institute at the Technion and headed by Professor Rafi Smiete, and the second was initiated by the Zuckerberg Institute at Ben-Gurion University and headed by Professor Alon Adar (September 2004).

20 21 • A proposal to UNESCO relating to the development and establishment of a Water Museum in the Mediterranean did not receive support from UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Division. One of the clearest examples of lack of cooperation was the fact that the UNESCO Institute for Water Education (IHE) in Delft, Netherlands ignored proposals for research collaboration submitted by Israel. • On the initiative of IPCRI, with the sponsorship of the Committee and the support of the UNESCO Regional Science Center in Venice, a conference was held on Water for Peace in the Middle East. It was attended by dozens of experts from around the world, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and was held in Antalya, Turkey (October 2005). • The chairperson of the Committee participated in the European Convention of IHP held in England (July 2005). SESAME – Synchrotron Chairperson – Professor Eliezer Rabinowitz, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem.

• Over the past year, the position of co-chairperson of the Israel SESAME Committee changed hands. Professor Moshe Deutsch of Bar-Ilan University retired and was replaced by Professor Moshe Paz-Pasternak of Tel Aviv University. • The International SESAME Council met several times in Jordan while its subcommittees met in France and Egypt. The facility was inaugurated at the beginning of 2004 in an impressive ceremony attended by the Director-General of UNESCO and representatives of the Foreign Ministry. • Israel is continuing to play a key scientific and professional role in the project, which has received the patronage of UNESCO. • The Israel Committee visited the facility in Jordan in November 2005 and was impressed by the progress of the work. • Professor Irwing Shoffer, Chairperson of the International SESAME Committee, received the UNESCO Einstein Medal from the Director-General of UNESCO at a special ceremony in April 2005.

Participation in UNESCO Science Conferences

Meeting/Conference Place and Date Participants

Geology – IGCP February 2004, France Dr. Amos Bein, Geological Survey

March 2004, Finland IHP Council Prof. Daniel Ronen, Ben-Gurion June 2004, France Euro-IHP Conference University July 2005, England

22 23 Water for Life in the Middle October 2004, Turkey Daniel Bar-Elli, UNESCO East (Israel-Palestine) International Man and the Dr. Yehoshua Shakedi, Nature and Parks October 2004, France Biosphere Council Authority Biodiversity – Science and Dr. Eliezer Frankenberg, Nature and January 2005, France Government Parks Authority

April 2005, France Prof. Yoel Zussman, Weizmann Institute

Prof. Eliezer Rabinowitz, Hebrew SESAME University of Jerusalem; Prof. Mina November 2005, Jordan Teicher, Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Eliezer Frankenberg, Nature and Man and the Biosphere; Parks Authority; Mr. Shlomo Brand, October 2005, Austria EURO-MAB KKL-JNF; Mr. Shlomi Shaked, Yoav Regional Council Tsunami Warning System for November 2005, Italy Dr. Dov Rosen, Oceanography Institute the Mediterranean Prof. Mina Teicher, Ministry of Science Science for Peace November 2005, Hungary and Technology

Culture Committee Chairperson: Attorney Micha Yinon, Director of the Culture Authority, Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport

• The past two years at UNESCO were dominated by preparations relating to the Convention on Cultural Diversity. At the 33rd General Conference, Israel voted against the Convention, despite the fact that Israel is home to immigrants from all corners of the earth and has a high level of cultural diversity. Israel is a microcosm laboratory of cultures exposed to active subcultures – Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Eastern-Western and various other ethnic groups. Culture of Peace Activities in the area of a Culture of Peace have taken place over a five-year period. This report relates to the field of culture:

• Visit of the Youth Orchestra to the Middle East – Cyprus, Israel and Greece (2001) • Conference on Cultural Diversity and the Movement (2001) • Jewish-Arab Youth Orchestra (2001) • Jewish Poetry in Andalusian Music, Misgav Institute, Hebrew University (2002) • Mediterranean Music workshops, Mishkenot Sha’ananim (2003) • 10th and 11th International Caricatures Festival, Haifa (2004 and 2005) • The Festival of Festivals – Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Haifa (2003/2004)

22 23 • The Tiles of Peace Exhibition – held in Tel Aviv, displaying miniature works in glass and metal Haifa Caricatures Festival For many years the Municipality of Haifa and the Pentcom Association, together with others partners, have held International Festivals of Caricatures. The Israel National Commission supported and sponsored two festivals – the 10th Festival on Humor and the Environment (October 2004), and the 11th on Tolerance and Road Safety (October 2005). Both these festivals were sponsored by UNESCO. The 10th Festival, Humor and the Environment, marked the commencement of the International Decade of Sustainable Education in Israel. Dozens of caricaturists from around the world participated in these events.

• Competition for the Design of Tableware (“Meal Time”) – three young Israeli designers from ORT Singalovsky Academic College were finalists. • Index Translatum – each year Israel submits the titles of books translated into Hebrew, as reported by the National Library. • Design 21 – Israeli artist Tamar Meshulam won first prize for “Game for Peace,” and David Eltit received a prize for his work “Human Playground.” The Israel National Commission is coordinating the integration of the “Game for Peace” in the ASPnetwork. Two other Israeli artists, Vittorio Arviv and Shelly Freeman, presented their work in Tokyo as part of the exhibition in addition to the Design 21 competition.

24 25 • Viewpoint – a joint Israeli and Palestinian theater under the auspices of the Peres Peace Center received financial support from UNESCO in order to run the project in Israeli and Palestinian schools. • Ciak Festival – the film “My Brother,” based on a story by 12-year old Daniel Zruya, won a prize in the best actors group. The film “Finished” won a prize for the best theme at the Children Making Films festival – Ciak Junior, Italy (June 2005). • Jewish Heritage – the Jewish Art Center at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, headed by Professor Aliza Cohen-Moshlin, has been active for years in the field of documenting synagogues around the vanishing Jewish world. On the recommendation of the National Commission, the center received financial assistance from UNESCO in order to document synagogues in Bukhara and Samarkand. • The Festival of Festivals – Haifa, a city that symbolizes inter-religious tolerance, celebrates the Festival of Festivals every year, an event shared by the three religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism. As a mixed ethnic city, Haifa is a model of coexistence and dialogue between different communities, as well as between native Israelis and new immigrants. The Festival of Festivals cherishes all the religions and enables each community to present its culture through liturgical music, art, literature and theater, as well as through the traditional (suk) market. Coexistence walking tours have been developed in the city. The National Commission assisted and sponsored the project in 2004/2005.

• International Museum Day – the Committee, in cooperation with the Israel branch of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), encouraged visits to museums which were opened to the public free of charge. • Jerusalem Film Festival – the film “Red Tape” by director Danny Rosenberg of the Sam Spiegel School of Cinema and Television, which follows the fate of a toy belonging to a Palestinian boy, won first prize at the 2005 festival. The film, which was supported by the Israel National Commission (2004), also won a prize at the Short Films Festival in Korea (2005) and the Festival of Intercultural Dialogue in India (2004). In 2003 the film won a prize from the UNESCO organization CILECT. • Oud Festival – the Israel National Commission sponsored a “Homage to Rosa Ashkenazi,” a performer from the 1930s who sang in Turkish, Greek and Ladino (November 2004). The National Commission also provided assistance to the most

24 25 recent Oud Festival (November 2005), which brought together both Arab and Jewish artists. • Asian Composers Organization – the Organization held its meeting in Israel (October 2004), and the National Commission sponsored and supported the event as part of the Festival of Classical Music. • Folklore and Tradition Festival – at the initiative of Ma’ataf, in cooperation with “Art for the People” and with the sponsorship of CIOEF Israel, a marathon performance of dance troupes from China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Bulgaria and Israel was held in in July 2004. • Children’s Literature – the book “The Animals Gathering” by Erich Kästner, translated into Hebrew by journalist Michael Dak, won the Andersen Medal (November 2004). • Center for Multiculturalism, Haifa University – a portal is being developed presenting the full range of Israeli culture (Jewish, Christian, Bedouin, Arab, Circassian, Muslim, Druze and other communities). • In cooperation with the South African Embassy, the National Commission initiated the launching of Shmuel Olitzky’s book “Queen of the Desert,” which examines the relationships between children and the environment, at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque (February 2005). • Dialogue in Action – the National Commission sponsored an international interfaith meeting held on the initiative of WUJS, for students from India, England and Israel (November 2005).

26 27 Participation in UNESCO Cultural Conferences

Meeting/Conference Date and Place Representatives

Barcelona Forum Barcelona, 2004 Maya Shavit, Efroni Choir

European Congress for Cultural June 2004, Chaim Shiran, Inbal Center Diversity Atty. David Kornbluth, Foreign Cultural Diversity September 2004, France Ministry International Council of Museums Yitzhak Brenner, Chair, Association of October 2004, Korea – ICOM Museums Shlomo Yitzchaki, Culture Intangible Cultural Heritage December 2004, Russia Administration Mediterranean Culture – Between September 2005, Spain Asher Reich, poet Conflict and Dialogue

International Music Council October 2005, USA Dubi Lentz

World Heritage Committee Chairperson: Professor Michael Turner, Bezalel Academy

• The highlight was the election of Israel to the Intergovernmental World Heritage Committee – UNESCO’s flagship. • The Committee duly submitted to the World Heritage Center its State Report on the implementation of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Convention (1972). In general the report accepts the recommendations of the Think Tanks established by the Committee to promote the issue of conservation in Israel. The report urges the assimilation of the principles and guidelines of the Convention by decision-makers in Government Ministries, NGOs and the relevant Authorities, and in particular advocates the establishment of a National Register of heritage sites and of a Statutory Authority for Conservation. • One of the most important achievements of the Committee is the application of Article 99 of the Israel Planning and Building Law (1965), which allows the Committee to submit opinions relating to the Tentative List. Accordingly, the Committee provided Megiddo, the Incense Route (Moa), Machteshim Country, the Old City of Akko and the White City – Tel Aviv. • The State Comptroller’s report published towards the end of 2005 identified several aspects related to conservation which required immediate intervention, such as: the Committee’s roles, functions and responsibilities, and the establishment of a Conservation Authority. The Committee submitted its comments to the State Comptroller and is monitoring the report’s implementation.

26 27 Capacity Building • The Committee promotes professional development in the various fields of conservation. Over the past two years, the Committee has granted fellowships for training programs overseas to Israeli experts. Architect Lilach Strul (IAA) attended an ICCROM course on Conservation (Rome 2004), Architect Tal Eyal participated in a course on Urban Conservation in Barcelona (2004), Architect Shachar Poni (IAA) attended an ICCROM course on Management of Archeological Information Systems in Rome (2005) and Ms. Elisheva Kamiysky (IAA) participated in a course on Adhesives and Conservation in Seattle, USA (2005). • Representatives of the Committee attended many lectures on the subject of conservation and world heritage at the: Tourist Operators Club (Haifa University), Planners Union, Council of Conservation of Monuments and Sites and Architects Association. The chairperson also appeared at various governmental forums (environment, tourism) and institutions of higher education (Technion, Western Galilee College, Bezalel, Shenkar College and Institute of Technology). World Heritage Sites in Israel • The Committee regularly updates Israel’s Tentative List as approved in Cairns, Australia in December 2001. • The Committee initiated an evaluation process of Israel’s World Heritage sites. Every site nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List must be evaluated by Israel’s Advisory Bodies: ICOMOS (the holy places of the Bahai) and IUCN (the Hula – Bird Migration). This procedure will become an integral part of the evaluation process for each site proposed to UNESCO. • Although the candidacy of the Ancient Arch at Tel Dan was evaluated in September 2004 by ICOMOS, Israel withdrew the nomination due to incompleteness of the nomination. Sponsorship of World Heritage

Subject Organization Date

Department of Architecture, Tel Aviv Conservation of Modern Heritage – Tel Aviv June 2004 University

Critical Modernists – Homage to Tel Aviv Architects Association June 2004

Ancient Akko – Historic City Western Galilee College / Akko Theory and Practice Conservation of Built July 2005 Development Company Culture – Ancient Akko

Monitoring and Management Plan Bezalel Academy October 2004

The as a World Heritage Site December 2004

Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp January 2005 UNESCO Chair- Bezalel The Role of UNESCO in Disaster Situations March 2005

28 29 Think Tanks Eight Think Tanks operated over a period of approximately two years, at different levels of intensity. The report by the Think Tanks was submitted to the members of the Committee for review, and a discussion was held towards defining the roles, functions and composition of the Committee.

• Register of Sites – headed by Dr. Uzi Dahari (Antiquities Authority), recommended the development of a register of sites on a universal level as well as on national and local levels. • Tentative List – headed by Engineer Yaacov Schaffer (Antiquities Authority), recommended the development of a feasibility study for each site on the Tentative List, and the establishment of a procedure for the submission of candidate sites to UNESCO. • Monitoring, Follow-Up and Reporting – headed by Professor Micah Levin (ICOMOS Israel), recommended that a monitoring procedure be defined and formalized in cooperation with the Advisory Bodies. • Education and Capacity Building – headed by Attorney Gideon Koren (ICOMOS Israel), recommended the development of a modular in-service training program for various groups (legal experts, planners, contractors and decision-makers). • Cultural Landscape – headed by Mr. Yuval Peled (Nature and National Parks Authority), dealt with the term “cultural landscapes” in the Israeli context in accordance with the operational guidelines of the Convention, provided an Israeli model. • Twentieth Century Heritage – headed by Professor Aryeh Swan (Docomomo Israel), recommended examining and considering extending the inscription of the White City – Tel Aviv to relevant sites in Israel. • The Great Rift Valley – headed by Dr. Eliezer Frankberg (Nature and National Parks Authority), recommended developing a universal strategy to promote the Great Rift Valley, which extends over 7,000 kilometers. • Authority of Cultural and Natural Heritage in Israel – headed by Daniel Bar-Elli (Israel National Commission), recommended the establishment of a national authority in the field of conservation.

28 29 Expert Visits

Subject Date

Carla Morano (ICOMOS International) Evaluation of the Incense Route July 2003

February 2004 Francesco Bandarin, World Heritage Center Technical Mission in Jerusalem September 2005

John Herd (ICOMOS( Evaluation of Tel Dan September 2004

Henry Cleer (ICOMOS) Evaluation of the Biblical Tels October 2004

Mounir Bouchenaki, Assistant Director- Al-Quds – Bezalel Seminar March 2005 General for Culture

Olivier Hammerlink (IUCN) Evaluation of the Hula September 2005

• In preparation for the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee in Durban, South Africa, a simulation took place relating to the Israel sites – the Biblical tels (Hatzor, Megiddo, Beersheva), the Incense Route and the Desert Cities of the Negev (Halutza, , Ovdat and Mamshith), with the result that the sites were inscribed by UNESCO at the meeting in Durban (July 2005). • Conversely, Israel withdrew the nomination of the Machteshim Country due to the recommendation of the IUCN to the World Heritage Center. • Journalist Yair Kedar received the Euro-Med Prize for his article on the Conservation of Mediterranean Heritage. • The Committee initiated the preparation of position papers on the subjects of: The State of Conservation in Israel, Cultural Landscapes and Standards for Conservation. In addition, the Committee helped the Municipality of Beit Shean prepare a proposal for the establishment of a Conservation Institute as part of the Prime Minister’s Office program for the city (December 2004). Jesus and the Apostles • With the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism and the Antiquities Authority, a feasibility study was initiated to examine its potential as a World Heritage Site. World Heritage Site Inscription Ceremony The ceremony for the inscription of the White City - Tel Aviv as a World Heritage Site was held at the Tel Aviv Cultural Center and attended by Mr. Moshe Katzav (President of Israel), Mr. Ron Huldai (Mayor of Tel Aviv) and Mr. Marcio Barbosa, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, who presented the President with the UNESCO Albert Einstein Medal. An exhibition on the White City at the Helena Rubinstein Museum was sponsored by the Committee (June 2004).

30 31 International Activities • With the goal of strengthening contacts between member states, the Committee supported various international projects: the preparation of a management plan for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp (Poland) and the study of extinct heritage in the communities of India. The Committee was one of the first countries to contribute to the Africa World Heritage Fund.

30 31 Participation at UNESCO World Heritage Conferences

Convention Place Date Participant

Prof. Michael Turner, Dr. Zvika Zuk, China June 2004 World Heritage Committee Prof. Eli Stern Sessions Amb. Jacques Revah, Prof. Michael South Africa July 2005 Turner, Eli Stern, Yosef Katz

England April 2005 Prof. Michael Turner, Bezalel Academy University Heritage Forum Spain September 2004 Prof. Eli Stern, Ben-Gurion University

General Assembly of the France October 2004 Prof. Michael Turner World Heritage Convention Monitoring World Heritage Germany November 2004 Daniel Bar-Elli Sites Venice Convention (1964- Hungary January 2005 Dr. Irit Amit-Cohen, Bar-Ilan University 2004)

Experts Team, Jerusalem France January 2005 Prof. Michael Turner

Outstanding Universal Russia April 2005 Prof. Michael Turner Value Auschwitz International Poland May 2005 Prof. Michael Turner, Arch. Giora Sollar Experts Team Historic Urban Cultural Austria May 2005 Prof. Michael Turner, Raanan Kislev Landscapes Historic Villages and Cities Turkey May 2005 Jon Seligman – ICOMOS WH Tentative List as a Socioeconomic Force in Turkey June 2004 Prof. Michael Turner National Conservation

African Cultural Landscapes Malawi November 2005 Yoav Sagi, Society for Nature Protection

ICCROM General Italy November 2005 Ing. Yaacov Schaffer, IAA Assembly Arch. Jermie Hoffman, Tel Aviv Modern Heritage Russia December 2005 Municipality

32 33 Social and Human Sciences Chair: Professor Avraham (Rami) Friedman, Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center

• The Committee is active in several fields: bioethics, gender, democracy and tolerance, human rights, social transformations and philosophy.

Sponsorship of Social and Human Sciences Programs

Organization Subject Date

Davis Institute for International Relations, In the Test of Nationality: Zionism, June 2004 Hebrew University Israeliness, and Jewish Identity Influence of Research Institutes on Policy- Jerusalem Institute of Israel Studies May 2004 Makers

Pedagogic Secretariat, Ministry of Education Philosophy Examining Art March 2005

Brave New World: Nano-Technologies Porter School of Environmental Studies, Tel – Freedom of Scientific Research and May 2005 Aviv University the Right of Society to Protect the Environment and Health

Children’s Rights • The Committee’s flagship project was Children’s Rights, a joint initiative with Camera Obscura and Educational Television. Three workshops were held by International Schools of Animation from India, Germany, France, Hungary, USA, England and Israel.

• Legal Assistance and Consultation for Youth at Risk in Jerusalem – the project has been implemented thanks to donations from Germany and the Law School at the Hebrew University (2004).

32 33 • To mark International Children’s Rights Day, a first-day stamp cover was issued and a drawing competition held at schools in Israel on the theme Children’s Drawing Rights. • The Israel Charter on the rights of pupils was ratified by the Knesset (Parliament) and enforced in the education system. Bioethics • On the initiative of the National Bioethics Council of Israel headed by Professor Michel Revel, the Israel National Commission and with the assistance of the Ethics Division at UNESCO, a Bioethics Documentation Center was established in cooperation with the Israel Academy of Sciences, UNESCO Bioethics Chair, at Haifa University.

Expert visits

Name Program Date and Place

Henk ten Have UNESCO Bioethics Chair, Haifa University March 2004, Haifa

• Genetic Experiments Law – the validity of the law was extended by five years. The amendment permits research on the subject only. • The Chairperson of the National Bioethics Council of Israel, Professor Michel Revel of the Weizmann Institute, was accepted as a member of the Israel Academy of Science. Professor Revel is also a recipient of the Israel Prize and of the Prime Minister’s EMET (Truth) Prize for 2005. • A seminar was held on the issue of “Pre-Pregnancy Genetics – Diagnosing Diseases and/or Designed Babies? What is Desirable, What is Worthwhile, and What is Permitted?” by the National Bioethics Council. Philosophy • Philosophy Day – a national conference was held for philosophy students and teachers at Tel Aviv University (March 2005). The theme was “Philosophy Examining Art.” The event was in cooperation with the Department of Philosophy at Tel Aviv University and the Superintendent of Philosophy at the Ministry of Education. • A questionnaire on philosophy studies in Israel was submitted to UNESCO. • International Philosophy Olympics (IPO) – the Philosophy Superintendent in the Pedagogic Secretariat initiated a national competition between high schools were philosophy is taught. Two students were selected – Omer Sharir from the Democratic School in Jaffa, who presented an essay on “Representation and Democracy,” and Michael Doran from Aleph Municipal School in Tel Aviv, who presented an essay on “Existentialism as an Instrument.” The Olympics, dedicated to Philosophy and Intercultural Dialogue, were held in Warsaw in May 2005.

34 35 • A conference was held on the subject of Jewish, Israeli and Zionist identities, its cultural, social and political aspects. Researchers from Israel, Germany and the USA attended (June 2004).

34 35 • A first-day stamp cover was issued in honor of Philosophy Day (November 19, 2005). Tolerance • Tolerance Day 2004: A ceremony was held in the Jerusalem in the presence of the Mayor and members of the Tolerance Association • The book “Will Tolerance Prevail?”, the product of a Participation Program Request (1998/99), was published in cooperation with the Spinoza Institute at the Hebrew University. • The Struggle Against Racism – the UNESCO program “International Coalition of Cities Against Racism” was translated into Hebrew in order to implement it. • The book “International Legislation Relating to Anti-Semitism” was published and edited by Professor Dina Porat from the Institute for the Study of Anti-Semitism at Tel Aviv University. • A first-day stamp cover was issued in honor of Tolerance Day (November 16, 2004).

Relationships between Policy-Makers and Researchers • How Can We Exert Influence? – a seminar was held on the Influence of Research Institutions on Policy-Makers, in cooperation with the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. Two new publications were launched at the event and a dialogue workshop was established between researchers and policy-makers (May 2005). Statistics • A wide range of statistical data was requested by the UNESCO Statistics Institute (UIS), mainly on areas where statistics are not readily available: information on libraries in post-high school educational systems or on the dissemination of media. The National Commission initiated a survey with the Central Bureau of Statistics in order to define parameters in Science, Technology and Innovation. The survey was disseminated to the UIS and member states and to the chief scientists in all the Government Ministries.

36 37 Gender • International Women’s Passport – the Beijing Declaration was translated into Hebrew in cooperation with the Gender Department in the UNESCO Strategic Planning Division. Culture of Peace • Over the past two years, the following projects have been implemented: Promoting Religious Dialogue Through Texts: Islam, Judaism, Christianity - Inter- Religious Association (August 2004). Pain as the Starting Point for Dialogue – Ghetto Fighters’ House (August 2004). The Festival of Festivals: The Three Religions – Beit Hagefen (December 2004). Global Peace Dialogue – Givat Haviva (March 2004).

Participation in UNESCO Human and Social Sciences Conferences

Meeting Representative Place/Date

The Intergovernmental Prof. Michel Revel April 2004, August 2004, France Committee of Bioethics (IGBC) Prof. Yaacov Iram, Bar-Ilan World Human Rights Forum May 2004, France University

Philosophy Olympics Ms. Yael Cohen May 2005, Poland

International Bioethics Prof. Michel Revel June 2005, December 2005, Japan Committee (IBC) International Committee for Prof. Avraham (Rami) Friedman July 2005, France Social Transformation (MOST)

Information for All Committee Chairperson: Professor Niv Ahituv, Tel Aviv University

During the 33rd General Conference of UNESCO, Israel was elected to the International Programme for the Development of Communication in Developing Countries (IPDC).

General • The Committee addresses the following aspects: Information society, E- government, Freedom of Expression, Copyright, Developing Media and Means of Communication, Technological Infrastructures, the Internet and the Digitalization of Cultural Heritage. • The Committee is examining its organizational structure – joint representation with the government ministries and civil society.

36 37 • The Committee is considering submitting a proposal to the government to require a digital documentation of all activities in any field receiving state support. • The Committee sponsored and supported the development of websites for Adult Education and a UNESCO Chair in Humanistic Education at the Kibbutzim Teachers College. It also sponsored the bilingual journal Du-Et produced by the Citizens’ Accord Forum (issues 6-9). • The chairperson of the Committee won a prize from the “ILA Association” for his work in the field. During 2004-2005 the Committee ran the following activities on the local and international levels.

Local level • “Digital Gap” – the Institute for the Study of the Internet at Tel Aviv University, in cooperation with the National Commission, held a conference examining economic, social and educational aspects of the digital gap in Israeli society. Dr. Esther Hartig (USA) gave a keynote lecture discussing global aspects of the digital gap (December 2003). • “The Future of Society in a World of Open Information” – The Sapir Academic College organized a conference focusing on social aspects of the digital gap, with the involvement of the Internet Association, Shatil, the Institute for the Study of the Internet at Tel Aviv University and Haifa University (May 2005). • Coexistence and Dialogue between Israelis and through the Internet – this Conference on Israeli-Palestinian dialogue was initiated by NGOs and organized by the Peres Peace Center and the Institute for the Study of the Internet at Tel Aviv University (January 2005). • Virtual Campus in the Middle East – pilot initiative involving Israeli and Palestinian pupils gifted on the internet. This initiative was sponsored by the Committee in cooperation with the Unit for Science-Oriented Youth of Tel Aviv University and the Peres Center for Peace, with the participation of pupils from the Netherlands, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. • Minerva Conference for Digital Heritage Conservation – representatives from the Committee attended the Minerva Conference for the Digitalization of Cultural Heritage, initiated by the European Union (October 2004 and October 2005). A proposal was presented for safeguarding, documenting, preserving and digitalizing disappearing Jewish heritage around the world. International level • On the international level, the chairperson of the Committee participated in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) preparatory meeting in Austria to discuss the drafting of a position paper on the subject of creativity and computer communication technologies (February 2005).

38 39 • He also briefed the Israeli delegation to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis (November 2005). • An annual report was submitted to the European Union on the digitalization of cultural heritage in Israel (Minerva). • The Inter-Governmental Committee for Copyright – Dr. Meir Gabbai, former Director-General of the Ministry of Justice and a member of the Inter-Governmental Committee for Copyright, represented Israel at the Committee meeting which focused on the development of legal tools for protecting copyright in international internet space (June 2005). • Cooperation with the Sectors – three projects were submitted for capacity- building training in the fields of: Localization of Software, E-Government and the Use of Computer Communication Technologies in Agriculture. The reactions from the Sector were far from encouraging. • World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) – members of Israel’s Information for All Committee attended the World Summit on the Information Society which was held in Geneva (December 2003) and Tunis (November 2005) – Professor Niv Ahituv, Ms. Nava Gilad, Dr. Karin Nahon-Barzilai, Dr. Yaffa Wigotzky. • Computer Olympics, Athens – sponsored by UNESCO. Yonatan Moshayov from the “Leyada” School in Jerusalem won the silver medal and Amitai Kamber from Geon Hayarden School in Neve Eitan the bronze medal. Oren Yakar from Rishonim High School, Herzliya (ASP) and Yonatan Rosenschein from Galil High School, Kfar Sava, both received honorable mentions (September 2004). • A Portal of Mediterranean Poetry – was initiated by Helicon for bilingual (Hebrew/Arabic) cultural dialogue featuring poems and translations (2005). • The Committee donated $25,000 to UNESCO’s International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

38 39 3. Israel in UNESCO Until 2004 relations between UNESCO and Israel were colored by the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, one of the main reasons for the reserved attitude towards Israel on the part of the Secretariat and some member states. During 2004 a change was seen in UNESCO’s approach following extensive efforts by the Israeli Ambassador to UNESCO, H.E. Jacques Revah. The National Commission also changed its attitude towards UNESCO, to which Israel is a contributing member state.

UNESCO has been convinced that bilateral relations with Israel are appropriate, quite apart from the conflict. This has also been reflected in the events held by Israel at UNESCO Headquarters.

40 41 Events at UNESCO

Programs initiated and sponsored by Ambassy

Concert – Peace Orchestra February 2005 Friends of Akim

Walk on Water – movie December 2004 Israel Film Fund

Water, Medicine, and Science December 2005 Friends of the Technion

“The Hidden Secret” – Ibn Rushd and February 2004 Eli Gurlitzky Maimonides

Concert – Thelma Yellin School April 2004 Yad LeYad Friends

James’ Journey to Jerusalem April 2005 Tolerance Film Festival

Concert – Philharmonic Orchestra June 2005 Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science

UNESCO’s Mission to Israel An additional dimension to the improved relations was reflected by the missions to Israel of senior UNESCO staff :

• The President of the General Conference, Michael Omolewa, attended the ceremonies marking the inscription of the White City – Tel Aviv as a World Heritage Site (April 2004). • The Executive Board Chairperson, Mr. Heinrich Wrede, visited Israel while attending the International Book Festival in Ramallah. He met with Ms. Limor Livnat, Minister of Education and President of the Israel National Commission (March 2005). • The Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Marcio Barbosa, headed a mission to renew dialogue between the Israeli and Palestinian National Commissions, and to strengthen the organizational basis of the civil society on both sides: Local Government Center, Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization, Institutions of Higher Education, Cultural Ecotourism (June 2004 – 2005).

40 41 • Israeli experts visited UNESCO Headquarters and participated in various working meetings.

Name Date Field

Dr. Yossi Shevel March 2004 Capacity Building (ERC)

Dr. Shlomo Swirsky June 2004 Budget and Gender (SHS) Ms Barbara Swirsky

Dr. Esther Lucas August 2004 ASPnetwork (ED)

Prof. Naomi Chazan March 2005 Gender (BSP)

Prof. Arye Isser April 2005 Water (IHP)

Prof. Ram Yishai April 2005 Medical Ethics (IBC)

Prof. Reuven Feuerstein April 2005 Education Methods (ED)

Reinstating the Post-Doctorate Scholarships Prof. Shlomo Grossman September 2005 Program (ED)

Dialogue in the Middle East On the initiative of the Director-General towards a resumption of dialogue in the Middle East, meetings took place for the third consecutive year in an effort to resume and maintain dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians at the level of the National Commissions and civil society.

• A mission headed by Pierre Sené (Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences) came to the region to examine why the people-to-people initiatives between Israelis and Palestinians are not sustainable (January 2004). • Two missions headed by Deputy Director-General, Mr. Marcio Barbosa (June 2004, June 2005) were aimed at developing a framework for bilateral relations at Government Ministry and civil society level. These missions had results: contact between Israeli and Palestinian researchers was resumed and the Higher Education Fellowships for Post-Doctoral students were renewed, with a preference for Palestinian researchers. Bases were also developed in civil society (the Local Government Center). • A Meeting of the Israeli and Palestinian National Commissions took place at UNESCO, when cultural issues, tourism, media and the free press were discussed. The chairpersons of the Israel World Heritage Committee (Professor Michael Turner) and of the Social and Human Sciences Committee (Professor Avraham [Rami] Friedman) attended, as did their Palestinian counterparts (September 2005).

42 43 • Integrating Arabic Journalism into the Israeli media system was promoted though the journal Du-Et initiated by the Citizens’ Accord Forum, with UNESCO sponsorship. • The Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO), established by Professor Menachem Yaari (President, Israel Academy of Sciences) and Professor Sari Nusseibeh (President, Al-Quds University) has received substantial support from UNESCO in promoting joint scientific research. UNESCO financed meetings of the IPSO International Council at UNESCO HQs (April 2002) and of the International Science for Peace Day in Hungary (November 2005). • La Sapienza Project – an Italian initiative supported by UNESCO, leading to a Master’s Degree, was developed for a consortium of Palestinian and Israeli universities (Al-Quds, Bethlehem, Hebron) (Ben-Gurion, Haifa, Hebrew University, Tel Aviv, Weizmann Institute of Science). The program covers the fields of International Relations, Science and Technology, Agriculture and the Environment, Public Administration, Archeology and Cultural Heritage. Master’s degree students receive academic credit, and their studies are recognized and accredited at these universities. Israel-UNESCO Relations • UNESCO is still operating an “unofficial” office at the American Colony Hotel. This is the remains of activities launched in 1998 to promote contact between Israeli and Palestinian journalists (IPMF). They have not been successful since that time. • Certain Sectors carried out activities in Israel without coordinating their work with the Israel National Commission or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and this led to unnecessary misunderstandings between those involved. These Sectors signed agreements with Israeli NGOs to implement projects, while ignoring the need for public transparency in awarding the contracts. The Israeli Embassy in Paris and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (International Organization and The Cultural and Scientific Cooperation Department) were asked to prevent the recurrence of similar activities in the future.

42 43 4. UNESCO in Israel One of the parameters defined in UNESCO’s plan is the extent to which the Organization’s diverse activities are visible in the member states. This report focuses on several aspects: UNESCO Chairs, Capacity Building, the Dissemination of Information, Sponsorships, the Participation Program and the protection of all UNESCO emblems and logos through the Protection of Emblems Law (1975).

UNESCO Chairs • Over the past two years, three new UNESCO Chairs have been inaugurated in Israel: Urban Design and Conservation (Bezalel Academy) headed by Professor Michael Turner (March 2005), Humanistic Education (Kibbutz Seminary) headed by Dr. Nimrod Aloni (May 2005) and Multicultural Education in Teacher Training (Beit Berl College), headed by Dr. Yael Harel (February 2004). • The “veteran” UNESCO Chairs are: Human Values, Tolerance and Peace (Bar- Ilan University), headed by Professor Yaacov Iram (2001), Interfaith Studies (Study of the Wisdom of World Religions), headed by Dr. Alon Goshen (1999), Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Studies (Haifa University) headed by Professor George Kanagi and Professor Aviva Doron (2000) and Bioethics (Haifa University) headed by Professor Amnon Carmi (2000). • In 2005 an application was submitted to establish a new Chair on the Heritage of the Modern Movement (Tel Aviv University) headed by Professor Moshe Margalit. • The Chairs are involved in diverse activities ranging from the development of an educational game on the subject of tolerance, to the publication of professional literature and international and local conferences. Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Studies Co-Chair, Professor Aviva Doron and Professor George Kanagi, Haifa University

• In cooperation with the Three Cultures Spanish Foundation, a conference was held on the theme “Between Conflict and Dialogue” (Seville, Spain), which examined historical and cultural paradigms, manifestations of cultural variance, minority-majority dynamics and constitutional, economic and social aspects (2004). • Professor Aviva Doron received the Ahad Ha’am Prize for researchers and creative artists who contribute to expanding horizons, for her ongoing involvement in culture (2004). • Meetings of Arab and Jewish poets were held to open new windows into the internal world of the Hebrew and Arabic languages. • The Chair developed a game entitled A Delicate Balance – The Toledo Model for Muslims, Christians and Jews. The game enables students to become

44 45 familiar with other cultures and was presented at conferences and seminars in Bulgaria, Spain, Germany, Poland, Switzerland and Austria, as well as in the European Parliament. Multicultural Peace Education in Teacher Training Chairperson, Dr. Yael Harel, Beit Berl College

• Two seminars were held on the subjects of Human Rights and Democracy (December 2004) and the Multicultural Family (May 2005). Human Values, Tolerance and Peace Chairperson, Professor Yaacov Iram, Bar-Ilan University

• Two seminars were held on: - Basic Values in Education (February 2005). - Conflict Resolution, the Struggle against Racism, Exclusion and Xenophobia, at Dresden University, Germany (July 2004). • Professor Yaacov Iram attended the 14th Congress of the Association for Educational Research in Santiago, Chile (May 2004). • A collection of articles was published entitled “Minority Education and Peace Education of Pluralistic Societies”. • Professor Iram gave a lecture on the subject of “Higher Education for Sustainable Education” at Lowenburg University (September 2005). • The Chair produced two films on the subject of violence and gender. • Workshops were held in cooperation with Al-Quds University and the Universities of Dresden (Germany) and Stanford (USA). The workshops addressed ways to promote understanding and peace education (2005). Urban Design and Conservation Chairperson, Professor Michael Turner, Bezalel Academy

• The Chair has continued its efforts to develop a network of universities to promote dialogue in the Middle East. So far, the UNESCO Chairs in Montreal (Canada), Moscow (Russia), Trondheim (Norway), La Sapienza, Venice (Italy), London (England) and Al-Quds (PA) have joined the initiative. Humanistic Education Chairperson, Dr. Nimrod Aloni, Kibbutzim Seminar Teachers College

The main focus of the Chair is the application of the Humanistic Educational Theory into the education system: pre-school program for the children of migrant workers in Tel Aviv, supervising experimental pre-schools (Holon and ) and experimental schools (Gannei Tikva, Ramle-). - A booklet edited by Dr. Nimrod Aloni was published – The Principles of Humanistic Education.

44 45 - A website was established with support and assistance from the Israel National Commission. - The Chair is continuing its activities to train teachers in a BA program and in an advanced degree program in Civic Education. Bioethics Chairperson, Professor Amnon Carmi, Haifa University

• The Chair has expanded its activities, developing a network of 70 universities around the world. • The Chair has produced 3 training booklets in the field of bioethics: Ethical Studies in Psychiatry (translated into Arabic), Informed Consent (translated into Russian, French, Bulgarian, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese and Turkish) and Communication in the Classroom (translated into Spanish and Hebrew). • The Chair held two international conferences: “Medical Research – Human Rights. World War II and Its Impact on Law and Ethics - 60 Years After,” Haifa (May 2005) and “Ethics Education in Medical Schools,” (March 2004). Bioethics Chairs Publications Bioethics

Professor Amnon Carmi, participated in UNESCO conferences on Ethics in Russia and Bulgaria, 2005.

46 47 Capacity-Building • The Israel National Commission sponsored several programs for the training and professional development of decision-making personnel from several countries. Training took place through courses offered by Mashav – International Cooperation Center of the Foreign Ministry. • Golda Meir Center – Special Needs Education (February 2005) – Early Childhood Education (May 2004) • Galilee College – Public Administration and NGOs (January 2005) – Management of Higher Education Institutions (January 2005) • The National Commission also assisted in the training of Israeli experts:

Lilach Strull, Archeological Conservation (ICCROM), Italy, 2003 Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) Management of Archeological Shahar Poni (IAA) (ICCROM), Italy, 2004 Information Systems Tamar Tuchler, (Rampart), France, July Conservation of Archeological Sites The Council of Site Preservation 2004 UNESCO Fellowship – Urban Tal Eyal, Tel Aviv Municipality Barcelona, Spain, 2004 Conservation

Elisheva Kamyesky (IAA) Adhesives and Conservation Seattle, USA, 2005

Tel Aviv University, Karin Nahon-Barzilai Developing an Index for the Digital Gap 2004-2005

• The “Study Abroad” publication of Universities and Colleges in Israel was updated and distributed to countries around the world, assisting students’ access to higher education (December 2004). Disseminating Information on UNESCO in Israel The National Commission initiated the translation, publication and dissemination of information relating to UNESCO publications to NGOs, local authorities and Government Ministries in Israel.

• Report on the National Commission’s Activities, 2002-2003 – distributed to Members of Knesset, Ministers and Director-Generals of Government Ministries, Institutions of Higher Education, Secretary-Generals, UNESCO staff and regional offices. • “Multidisciplinary Thought in Humanistic Education” – a publication of a UNESCO Chair (Kibbutzim Seminar) - sent to UNESCO Education Sector staff and to Teacher Colleges in Israel. • UNESCO Declaration of Principles of Tolerance – translated into Hebrew, Arabic and English and disseminated to UNESCO Sectors and to Israeli schools.

46 47 • The ASPnet Report 2002-2003 – was sent to all member states. • Real Time – a special edition of the Center for Educational Technology and the ASPnetwork on the subject of Human Rights, Democracy, Tolerance and Dialogue was distributed in thousands of copies to all the ASP schools around the world. • Informed Consent / Communication in the Classroom – Education to Ethics – publications of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics (Haifa University) were distributed to all UNESCO Sectors, member states and to hundreds of Medical Schools around the world. • Adult Education (7) – distributed to all member states. • “How to Love the Child? The Right to Respect the Child” by Janusz Korczac, was translated into Arabic and distributed to all Arab schools in Israel. • School-Based Management by Professor Yitzhak Friedman and Dr. Ami Volansky was distributed to the Education Sector at UNESCO, the Ministry of Education in Cyprus, and to the IIEP. • Jewish Art – newsletter of the Institute for Jewish Art (Hebrew University) distributed around the world. • Cloning – booklet distributed to all professionals in Israel involved in ethics and bioethics. • The Precautionary Principle in Bioethics – distributed to all chief scientists in Government Ministries and to the National Bioethics Council. • A Reader in Conservation – distributed to all the faculties of Geography and Architecture in Israeli universities. • Will Tolerance Prevail? – produced with the assistance of the National Commission and the Spinoza Institute at the Hebrew University, and distributed to researchers in Israel.

Patronage of the Director-General UNESCO

Program Date Subject

11th Festival of Caricatures October 2004 Humor, Environment and Education

48 49 Participation Programs 2004-2005 Participation Program Requests are a UNESCO tool for visibility in member states.

Submitted by Title P.P. Budget $

Beit Berl College Activities of ASP 15,000

Association for Inter-Faith Promoting Interfaith Dialogue 15,000 Encounter

Computerized lexicon on Haifa University 10,000 Multiculturalism in Israel

Bimkom – Planners for Planning Workshops for officials in Government 14,000 Rights Ministries and Local Authorities

Tel Aviv University, Center for Bird Migration along the Great Rift 15,000 Study of Bird Migration Valley, Educational Activities

Pain as a Starting Point for Dialogue Ghetto Fighters’ House 15,000 between Different Cultures

Melton Center for Jewish Yad BeYad Portal 15,000 Education

Kehila for Social and Cultural Coexistence Team – Youth Building a Repair in Israel – Kibbutz 15,000 Good Society Tammuz,

Children of the Middle East The Function of Historical Memory – A 15,000 Association Teacher’s Guide

Camera Obscura Little Big Children’s Rights 17,000

48 49 5. Cooperation with Member States

Poland • Dialogue Forum for Israeli and Polish Students – the forum focused this year on “Remembering the Past and Looking Forward.” The goal of the forum is to develop channels of communication for meaningful dialogue and to provide a platform of cultural exchanges between the peoples. Mutual visits took place by students from Tel Aviv University and from the School of Economics in Warsaw (April-May 2005). • Team of Experts to prepare a management plan for Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp: Mutual visits took place and parameters were defined for the plan (January 2005). France • The French Commission to UNESCO leads the program for dialogue between European and Arab National Commissions. As part of these activities, Israel reported on the level of Arabic language studies in its school system. • Rampart – a professional workshop for the preservation and conservation of monuments, attended by representatives from ICOMOS Israel and the Antiquities Authority.

Palestinian Authority • Training courses were held by Galilee College and sponsored by the Israel National Commission – Management of Health Institutions (30 participants) and Environment (31 participants), government officials and NGO representatives from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (December 2005). • International Palestinian Bookfair in Ramallah – the Commission enabled the fair to take place through contacts with the Ministries of Education, Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Industry and Trade; all the books reached Ramallah. The Israel National Commission coordinated the necessary contacts

50 51 with these Government Ministries and with the UNESCO office in Ramallah (March 2005). Slovenia • Visit by Minister of Culture Ms. Andrea Ritter (February 2004). Nigeria • The Commission provided professional literature in the field of education for the National Muslim Library of Nigeria. The library is intended to serve clerics and research students from universities, as well as the general public. Yugoslavia – Serbia – Montenegro • The artistic director of the “Bital” festival attended a cultural program for visitors of Israeli dance, at the Susan Dallal Center in Tel Aviv (December 2004). Germany – Jordan – Israel – Palestinian Authority • A scientific project on the Dead Sea was initiated by the Helmholtz Research Institute in Germany. Participants from the above countries attended and discussed the themes of biodiversity, climate change and the atmosphere, earth sciences, hydrology, health sciences and the abuse of minerals in the area. Cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Ramallah • As part of this cooperation, UNESCO representatives came through Israel to the Palestinian Authority, where they helped develop professional personnel and relevant programs for the Palestinian.

Subject Name Date

Internal auditing John Pearson March 2004

Education Bruno Lam Quang August 2004

Culture Mounir Bouchenaki March 2005

Education Kamel Braham June 2005

Conservation Papi Andreas June 2005

Environment Beno Boer July 2005

General Stepania Lenocci July 2005

Communications Dafne Mullet August 2005

Planning Philippe Ratt September 2005

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