MASHAV - ISRAEL’S AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION CONTENTS

1 FROM THE DESK OF THE HEAD OF MASHAV HAIM DIVON

3 EQUAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN CAREGIVING IN HIV/AIDS MAZAL RENFORD

8 EDUCATION FOR ALL: TRAINING TEACHERS IN INDIGENOUS AREAS YUDITH ROSENTHAL

13 PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION: UNDP AND MASHAV TRI-LATERAL COOPERATION IN BENIN AVNIT RIFKIN

17 THE MILLENNIUM CITIES INITIATIVE: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO REDUCING URBAN POVERTY AND GENERATING SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY

CONTENTSDR. SUSAN M. BLAUSTEIN

22 INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE TRAINING IN MEDICINE: MARKING 20 YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TAL SHAHAR & ALISON YADAN

25 LEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES IN ETHIOPIA AVNIT RIFKIN

28 SHALOM CLUBS

30 MASHAV NEWS

39 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

MASHAV Shalom Magazine for the Alumni of MASHAV Training Courses is Israel’s Agency for International published by Haigud Society for Transfer of Technology. Development Cooperation Haigud, a government company and non-profit organization, serves Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the financial and administrative arm of MASHAV, and functions as a State of Israel professional unit to assist in the implementation of MASHAV activities. F Israel is in a unique position in the international development arena: It ROM began as a developing country, and continued to be so for many years after its establishment as a state in 1948. Many of us remember the austerity measures of the 1950s and the early 60s - the shortage of basic commodities and food rationing. I At the same time, Israel received generous assistance from a few friendly THE countries, and from Jewish communities in the Diaspora. The fact that we were able to overcome severe challenges and build a strong society with an

advanced economy was, for us, the first lesson regarding the importance D of sharing with other developing and newly independent countries. This tradition was bequeathed to us by the founders of the State of Israel. MASHAV ESK – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, is honored to continue this tradition over 50 years later.

Recently I accompanied Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign

Affairs, Avigdor Liberman in his historic visit to Africa. The minister visited OF Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda, where he met with foreign

leaders; signed political, economic and development cooperation agreements

and inaugurated joint projects between Israel and the African host countries. THE FM Liberman stated that he had the opportunity to witness the great esteem with which MASHAV is held and its important contribution to the people of

Africa as they deal with developmental challenges. H EAD

OF MASHAV

Signing cooperation agreement with The Economic Community of West African States – ECOWAS: (from left to right) Ambassador Yaacov Revach, Director Africa Division, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs; FM Avigdor Liberman; Ambassador Haim Divon; and Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean de Dieu Somda

1 Distributing Israeli-made agricultural equipment in Kenya: (from left to right) Ambassador Haim Divon, Head of MASHAV; Israel Ambassador to Kenya, Yaacov Keidar; Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman; Mr. David Stower, Director General, Ministry of Water and Irrigation; Prof. Jacqueline Oduol, Secertary of Children Affairs, Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Development

Since its inception, MASHAV’s work has been guided by the basic approach that development work is organic in nature. It is impossible to concentrate efforts in one area, such as food security, without providing proper attention to health care, community building and education. Only through a sustainable and comprehensive development program can measured results be obtained and the desired impact can be felt by those who need assistance the most.

A single individual can change an institution, a community, policy, and reality. This is our inspiration. Israel could have chosen not to be involved in the field of international development cooperation in light of its own difficulties. But that was never the case. We are proud that in spite of our own challenges we did not spare any effort in sharing what was relevant to our own development experience for the benefit of others.

There is no single approach to overcoming the immense development challenges before us. We take pride in what our small nation has contributed throughout the decades, and we will continue to contribute towards the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals. 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.

Sincerely,

HAIM DIVON

Head of MASHAV Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation

2 EQUAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN CAREGIVING IN HIV/AIDS

MAZAL RENFORD

In the 1970s and ‘80s, women were beginning to take their first steps forward toward attaining equality. Those achievements have been eroded, however, as a consequence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and women are reverting to the roles of caregivers or receivers of care. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), one of the consequences of HIV infection is violence against women. Women often lack the power to insist on safe and responsible sexual practices, unaware of their Ihuman rights and not realizing the choice lies in their hands. The consequences of HIV/AIDS reach beyond the women’s health to affect their roles as mothers, caregivers, and contributors to the economic support of their families.

POLICY CHANGES – A NECESSARY STEP

Violence against women, and other infringements of human rights, still represent a massive constraint on women’s capacity to share responsibilities. The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men can only be attained if and when policies and programs address the structural causes of that inequality and focus on empowering women and girls, both socially and economically. Indeed, social protection must be recognized as a key element of social development policy, in supporting women of all ages and in all households. Adequate mechanisms can protect the most vulnerable, raise people above the poverty line, and give them the opportunity to support themselves and cope with their problems.

STRATEGIES FOR EMPOWERMENT

Empowerment strategies must include creating jobs for women and facilitating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship development. Civil society must be strengthened through community mobilization, supported by educational campaigns that will reduce stigma and discrimination, in order to raise both social support and economic resources.

In the present situation of financial downturn, the impact of gender inequality on women must be taken into consideration, in order to identify policy responses and mechanisms for safeguarding women, particularly in their roles as caregivers. Social policies and mechanisms are ever more urgently needed to address women’s vulnerability in the current climate, especially since women have traditionally lagged behind in terms of training, education and information.

WORKING HARD TO FIND SOLUTIONS

Having reviewed some of the problems, what can be done to give women a voice? What practical steps should be used to ensure the equal sharing of responsibilities between women

3 MCTC Workshop on Care and Support of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS, in cooperation with UNICEF Regional Office, West and Central Africa, 2009

and men? MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International projects to implement and with the feeling of equality and Development Cooperation, and its professional extension, shared responsibilities. Such people make a difference, the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center creating a multiplier effect and eventually a critical mass (MCTC), have been working to answer that very question. which can influence the status quo.

MASHAV promotes the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men as an integral part of its training programs. At MCTC, emphasis is placed on TRAINING IN THE CONTEXT building women’s capacity through access to education, OF HIV/AIDS information, finance and health services. Training activities are regularly conducted on socio-economic development, In the current situation, the feminization of HIV/AIDS with gender as a cross-cutting issue, reaching tens of infection is increasing (60% of the adults living with thousands of women and men in the developing world. HIV/AIDS in the sub-Saharan countries are women), and The beneficiaries of these programs are professionals from the need for caregiving of the sick and their dependents all over the world, working for the achievement of the has reached enormous proportions. To address these dire Millennium Development Goals, specifically, eradicating circumstances, MCTC/MASHAV offers activities to train poverty and promoting gender equality. professionals on topics such as, “Education for Sexual MCTC, a voice in the arena of women’s empowerment, Health and Prevention of AIDS Among Adolescents” and offers regular trainings on topics covering socio-economic “Care and Support of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS,” the issues1. Participants in these activities, men and women latter in cooperation with the UNICEF, Regional Office for alike, return to their communities, equipped with relevant West and Central Africa [See BOX].

1. Examples include: ‘Women’s Leadership’, ‘Support Systems for Women Entrepreneurs’, ‘Women’s Vocational Training and Development of Entrepreneurial Skills’, to ‘The Use of Media for Social Change’, ‘Access of Women to Microcredit and Microenterprise for Women’, ‘Capacity Building of Women’s Organizations - Strengthening Civil Society’, ‘Developing Income Generating Activities for Women in Rural Areas, through Rural Tourism’.

4 Getting acquainted – group activity during the workshop

These training programs are designed for male and as women are discriminated against and cultural and female participants, coming from different perspectives, to legal barriers obstruct their decision-making process and understand that HIV/AIDS must be seen as a holistic issue choices, women will remain vulnerable. The linkages from the contexts of health, education, welfare and with between women’s status in society and the increased equal sharing of responsibility between women and men. demands made on their time as a result of the HIV epidemic The programs offer effective and innovative tools for HIV have to be recognized and overcome. From our experience, prevention and for strengthening the self-esteem, health we have also learned the importance of incorporating men and awareness of youth (especially females), thus setting into all programs dealing with social change and economic the foundations for their own personal empowerment. development. This enables them to enter into an ongoing process of understanding their role in the equal sharing of We fully realize the special threat that HIV/AIDS poses responsibility and becoming agents of change in their own to women. Combating this threat involves much more communities. than improving women’s health conditions. For as long

“HIV/AIDS MUST BE SEEN AS A HOLISTIC ISSUE FROM THE CONTEXTS OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, AND WITH EQUAL SHARING OF RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN WOMEN AND MEN”

4 5 CARE AND SUPPORT OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS

A TRAINING WORKSHOP IN COOPERATION WITH

UNICEF – REGIONAL OFFICE, WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

MICHEL KAHN & YVONNE LIPMAN

The topic of Psycho-Social Care for AIDS Orphans was first offered by the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC) in 2007. As a result of the enthusiasm shown by the participants who studied in that workshop, similar programs reflecting the developing attitude to the topic have been conducted every year since then, in cooperation with UNICEF’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa.

Research shows that HIV/AIDS orphans lack psycho-social care and are not developing coping skills needed to deal with the loss and stigma with which they are forced to live. Although there are not many AIDS orphans in Israel, it was felt that because of our extensive experience in dealing with trauma, we would be able to provide the participants with tools which could be adapted for use with children affected by HIV/AIDS. The workshop program that was developed emphasized aspects of coping with illness and loss, stigma, post-traumatic syndrome, psycho- social care, team work, planning projects and alternative ways of dealing with stress and trauma.

During the planning for this workshop, consultations were made with the lecturers who took part in previous activities, and the program was adapted in advance. Analyzing the evaluations from the previous year helped us shape the program and emphasize the most relevant aspects of these topics.

The topic of “Care and Support of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS” is emotionally charged; therefore, it was important to create a cohesive and supportive group. To facilitate this, games were used in a “Getting Acquainted” session, which generated laughter and led to success in breaking the ice.

6 7 The workshop “Using the Mask as a Liberating Tool” continued with some acquaintance-session techniques using songs and theatre. The workshop, which refers to society’s stigmatization of the HIV/AIDS victims, was quite inspirational, and the psycho-social care concept was very enlightening, especially when the lecturer spoke about using the various art forms as a means for providing such care. Using mainly low and no-cost materials, the participants experienced diverse therapy treatments such as music, art, bibliotherapy, storytelling, puppets, play therapy, and animal therapy. The participants found these methods to be very informative and helpful, and felt that they had acquired new skills for helping traumatized children, including those affected by AIDS, as well as their caregivers.

The sessions on “Dealing with Loss” presented the participants with an invaluable opportunity to come to terms with often unexpressed mourning for their own dear ones. They mentioned that it was essential to do this in order to help others going through the same process. Similarly the program for the prevention of AIDS among adolescents, “Cultural Perspectives on Health, Illness and AIDS,” was presented in a highly participatory manner and showed the participants some alternative ways for caregivers and children affected by AIDS to express their feelings.

The group also went out on practical observation visits to medical centers, a children’s hospital and a baby clinic. At the end of the program, the participants wrote proposals for projects, which they could implement individually or in groups, according to their countries of origin, and in which they themselves would be actively involved. One such example was a joint project, proposed and planned to be carried out between the participants from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, called “The West African Center to Improve the Quality of Care and Support for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS.” The project will collect and synchronize all the information available on AIDS in those countries, as well as evaluate programs and follow up on their effectiveness. MCTC offers a listening ear to its participants and follow-up advice with the projects, even after the participants have returned to their home country. MASHAV and MCTC are striving to raise the standard of living for women and children living with or caring for someone with HIV/AIDS. The most vulnerable in our society, those without a voice, are precisely the ones for which we need to work the hardest.

6 7 EDUCATION FOR ALL: TRAINING TEACHERS IN INDIGENOUS AREAS

YUDITH ROSENTHAL

Education opens doors for all individuals and communities. It is central to providing children, youth and adults with the skills necessary for achieving better living standards for themselves and for their communities. As such, education is the crucial foundation for reaching the Millennium Development Goals.

ECHANGES AND CHALLENGES The changes taking place in today’s world have a powerful and immediate influence on the nature and functions of the professional educators, whose role is to mediate between students and the world around them. To address this challenge, the educational system must concern itself with developing, supporting, and improving its most vital resources -teachers, principals, supervisors, and counselors - to enable them to cope with their important responsibilities.

According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), there is a severe shortage of teachers worldwide. An estimated 18 million additional teachers are needed globally, if Universal Primary Education is to be achieved by the year 2015. An even greater number of teachers will be required if adequate provision for secondary, higher, technical and vocational, or non-formal education is to be assured. This shortage of qualified teachers is one of the biggest challenges to achieving the Education for All goals. Moreover, education does not reach all. In many developing countries, poverty, geographical isolation, gender, ethnicity and language are mighty obstacles to overcome on the path to education. One way of tackling these challenges is by increasing the number and quality of teachers in marginalized and disadvantaged communities.

THE OFRI CENTER: TAKING STEPS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES

To meet this challenge, the Aharon Ofri International Training Center designed a special program geared towards training teachers in indigenous areas. The program’s main objectives are to expose educational personnel from marginalized communities to the newest educational trends and methodologies, and to create a multiplying effect through the training the trainers approach.

The first seminar, for twenty-two teachers from Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, took place at the Ofri Center in January 2009. Among the participants were senior lecturers at teachers colleges, primary and secondary school supervisors and principles, and coordinators of teachers enrichment programs.

8 PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

The three-week seminar addressed issues faced by today’s professional educational staff and included the following criteria and aims:

Developing a master plan for primary and secondary education in indigenous communities.

Providing tools for equitable and quality education for all school-age children, including those with special needs.

Creating tools and guidelines for curricular development.

Educating the educators on teaching methods for specific subjects-matters (such as science, language, etc.), as well as for interdisciplinary subject areas.

Providing guidelines for establishing pedagogical resource centers, regionally and locally, to use for teacher training and support.

Enabling participants to choose the methods and tools suitable to the particular needs of their environments.

Prepare a base for future teacher training activities according to the needs of the different countries and institutions.

9 The training program was designed to impact the educational arena from the bottom up. The results would be reflected in the improvement of the education Danilo García Cáceres and Pablo methods in the education establishments Chimborazo, of Ecuador, participated of each participant, which would then be reproduced at the regional level, and finally, in the “Training Teachers in Indigenous on a national scale. The program was also placed under the official auspices of the Areas” course, held at the Ofri Center in Israeli Embassy in Ecuador and had the Jerusalem from January 10 to February institutional support of the “Runacunapac Yachac,” the Rural Autonomous Network 5, 2009, for teaching professionals from of Community Educational Centers, and the Bilingual Intercultural Provincial Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. On their Department. Accordingly, the certification return to their country, they designed that the participants will receive from the program will give them academic backing and implemented an educational in their professional careers.

program for professional updating of Methodologically, the program is divided into two modules for each part which schoolteachers in indigenous areas. incorporate themes including:

This is their report.  Interculturality and cultural revaluation

10 11  Intercultural education and teaching The training program was carried out with practices in rural contexts great success. Participants included thirty- eight teachers from the bilingual intercultural  Empowerment and motivation of teachers in the improvement of their pedagogic education centers of thirty different indigenous attitudes communities within the Simiatug parish, effectively fulfilling the objectives set in the  Learning methodologies program design. Former alumni Danilo García

 Pedagogic currents based on constructivism and Pablo Chimborazo assumed responsibility for the different activities carried out during the  Curriculum design based on appropriate course. implementation practices

 The teacher as community leader The next stage of this ambitious program is slated to be carried out in Esmeraldas Province,  Values in education the hometown of another MASHAV courses alumnus. On March 18, 2009, the program was inaugurated at the main square in Simiatug, before the entire community. Proceedings were led by the Ambassador of Israel in Ecuador, with the participation of indigenous local authorities and the Ecuador alumni in Israel, including Raúl Añapa, Pablo Chimborazo, and Danilo García, as well as former Ecuadorian alumni from other MASHAV courses.

10 11 Lectures and discussions were led by Israeli experts to contributing to human capacity building worldwide, in various fields, and included analysis of educational based on knowledge and experience accumulated by the planning through written material and professional visits. State of Israel. The South American teachers met with local institutional Educational professionals all over the world face the administrators and got acquainted with projects at the challenge of providing quality education to meet the national and regional level. Upon completion of the new demands of the 21st century. Through its seminars, seminar, the participants prepared a final project, based workshops, guidance, and training, the Ofri Center works on their own professional interests. to address this challenge. Teachers play a crucial role The program also included study tours to different types in achieving quality Education for All. The Ofri Center of schools (at all levels), educational centers, such as endeavors to ensure that their role is clearly articulated centers of science and art universities, teachers training and further reflected in national policies, which will institutions, and pedagogical resource centers. eventually foster a motivated, valued, and effective In conjunction with the UN’s Millennium Development teaching force. Education leads to empowerment – the Goals and the global agenda, the Ofri Center is committed surest guarantee of sustainable growth.

12 PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION:

UNDP AND MASHAV TRI-LATERAL COOPERATION IN BENIN

AVNIT RIFKIN

In June 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, and UNDP Africa (United Nations Development Program). The aim was to address some of UNDP’s principal challenges on the African continent, and to take steps toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. In December 2008, Israel signed on to join UNDP in supporting developing countries, including Senegal and Benin, by Iproviding knowledge of and technological abilities in agriculture, water, food, health and education.

MASHAV’s plan of action incorporated a wide range of issues, such as food security, water management, agriculture, technology, sustainable development, and crop production, with the focus on alleviating poverty while working on capacity building.

Following the agreement, MASHAV delegates visited the Songhai Center in Benin. The Songhai Center was created in 1980 by Father Godfrey Nzamujo, and seeks to create viable socio-economic environments in Africa through training, production, research and development of sustainable agricultural practices. The Center serves as a training facility for participants from eleven African countries.

Following MASHAV’s professional visit, a UNDP delegation arrived in Israel in January 2009, to finalize the details of the MASHAV-UNDP cooperation program.

THE SONGHAI CENTER VISION

The only way to fight poverty effectively, according to Songhai’s vision, is to make the poor person an active and efficient producer. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies and environments that engender entrepreneurial capacities.

The Songhai Center believes that building strong internal markets is crucial to fighting poverty effectively and achieving sustainable development. These markets can only be created by recognizing and servicing the diverse needs and values of the community. For agriculture to become a viable force of development, it must be extensive and holistic, going beyond purely agricultural knowledge, such as integrated production, animal husbandry, fish farming, and appropriate technologies to include education in management,

13 In order to avoid using expensive and environmentally harmful chemical fertilizers, compost is produced with plant waste and animal excrements. The restructuring of impoverished soils is done by organic fertilization.

organization, and planning. In pursuing these goals, Songhai is involved in various activities, highlighting sectors leading up to and resulting from agricultural production.

Father Nzamujo, Director of the Songhai Center, defines the concept of sustainable development as increasing productivity while protecting and enhancing the environment. To achieve that, two crucial factors must be considered: The importance of increasing the community’s capacity of production, and the need to re-design production and development systems based on a new understanding of reality.

The appropriate human resource development is a critical factor in African development. For the Songhai Center, development is first and foremost building a local human resource base, which is capable of being in the driver’s seat and becoming a catalyst for change.

MASHAV’S DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION PROGRAM

The State of Israel is in an unparalleled position in the international development arena. It began as a developing country, and continued to be so for many years after its establishment as a state in 1948. The fact that the young nation was able to overcome severe challenges and build a strong society with an advanced economy was the first lesson regarding the importance of sharing this knowledge with other developing and newly independent countries.

The centrality of human resources and institutional capacity enrichment to the development process has attained global consensus. MASHAV’s activities are based on a “train the trainers” approach to institutional and human capacity building, with professional training courses conducted in Israel and in the host country. These courses are geared toward educating the leaders of the future, for education leads to empowerment, the surest guarantee of sustainable growth.

14 As one of the oldest international development agencies in the world, MASHAV is unique in two very important aspects:

 Proven solutions to development challenges. The wealth of knowledge and expertise accumulated in Israel for more than 61 years is harnessed to meet today’s development challenges, and these experiences are shared with developing countries.

 The message that difficulties and development challenges are surmountable. Considering the hardships that Israel had to face: difficult climatic

Two types of fish farming are practiced at Songhai: basins and ponds. The different species of fish raised are tilapia and catfish. To reduce feeding costs, housefly larvae are collected internally. Each month, around 4 – 6 tons of larvae are produced as fish food. Cassava roots and maize stalk are also fed to the fish, and the intestines of animals slaughtered for sale are transformed into granules and added to the feed composition. The water from the ponds is rich in minerals and is used to water the vegetable gardens.

14 15 To put the finishing touches on the practice of integration and bring together all the sectors, a biogas production system was established. Methane is produced from animal excrement, plant waste, and sewage water taken from showers and toilets. This is used as a source of energy. Today, the methane from the system feeds the kitchens of the student farmers’ canteen and the center’s restaurants

conditions; large waves of new immigrants arriving  Achieve effectiveness through an approach that is from different countries and backgrounds; a hostile result-oriented and demand-driven, rather than supply neighborhood; poor infrastructure; and few natural driven. resources, Israel is a living proof that success is possible  Build horizontal partnerships. for other countries as well.  Invest in human capacity building rather than in MASHAV’s International Development Cooperation infrastructure. Program encourages professionals throughout the No one country or aid agency can single-handedly tackle developing world to adapt Israel’s field-tested know- the causes leading to extreme poverty. Therefore, the need how and technologies to their own country’s unique to combine efforts and resources is essential if the donor development realities and potential. As a small agency, community is to realize the Millennium Development MASHAV has to carefully plan its programming in order to Goals (MDGs), set by the international community to halve bring about the desired impact and change. Therefore the poverty by 2015. This platform of tri-lateral cooperation following guidelines were set: with the UNDP reflects Israel’s spirit of partnership, and its  Concentrate on fields and disciplines in which Israel has commitment to international development cooperation to a comparative advantage, know-how and experience. ensure sustainable development around the world.

16 THE MILLENNIUM CITIES INITIATIVE:

A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO REDUCING URBAN POVERTY AND GENERATING SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY

DR. SUSAN M. BLAUSTEIN

Dr. Susan Blaustein is a founder and Co-Director of the Millennium Cities Initiative, a project of The Earth Institute, at Columbia University. She is a member of the boards of the Millennium Promise, the Atlantic Council and the advisory board of Global Urban Development. She has reported on conflict in the Balkans for the International Crisis Group and on politics, economics and social justice issues from Southeast Asia and the DU.S. for publications such as The New Yorker, Harper’s, The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times.

In recent years, official development assistance has trended toward sectoral support, filling pressing needs in the domains of public health, water and sanitation, education, or governance. With this approach, donors are able to see and monitor progress in their chosen areas, take pride in a sense of accomplishment, and report these accomplishments back to their constituencies, including taxpayers who are feeling a sharp economic pinch themselves and may be questioning if overseas development assistance should continue to be a national government priority.

One unhappy consequence of this explicitly segmented approach is that the notion of the urban region as an integrated organism, requiring a full, coordinated diet of multi-sector interventions to ensure its ongoing economic, social, and environmental health, has faded into the background. Strangely, and somewhat incoherently, this tendency coincides with the global embrace of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of fundamental objectives adopted by the United Nations aimed at improving access to fundamental human rights such as health, education, clean water and sanitation, gender equality, environmental protection, and sustainable economic development. As the limited success of even the best sector-focused development projects have revealed, the MDGs can be fully achieved only in concert: If the farmer is unlucky enough to succumb to malaria during the planting season, no matter the improved seeds or fertilizers he has been given, he will not be able to get them into the ground in time for the rainy season. If the elimination of fees and provision of better equipped facilities make it possible for young girls to finish elementary school, but their families need them to spend their days collecting water, rather than attending secondary school, those girls will not achieve their potential either as learners or earners, distinct gender inequality will persist, and the much-needed demographic transition to a diminished total fertility rate will probably not occur.

17 In cities and urban regions, an integrated approach is harvesting significant agricultural surpluses, the next move just as essential. The mother who walks an hour each way is to add value to their production by taking full advantage to gather cooking fuel or to bring a sick child to the local of urban infrastructure for agricultural processing, clinic is neither earning nor studying during that hour, manufacturing, transportation, and distribution of their because the bus doesn’t go where she needs, or even if products to domestic, regional and international markets. it does, it costs too much. To demonstrate the importance Helping to transform these combined rural-urban of a full-frontal approach to achieving the Goals in urban dynamics into regional economic growth engines is central areas, the Earth Institute at Columbia University launched to MCI’s agenda. Toward this end, the MCI is helping to the Millennium Cities Initiative during 2005 in order to mobilize substantial public and private capital investment assist mid-sized sub-Saharan African cities in addressing long overdue in all of the Millennium Cities – primarily these complex challenges. The current roster of Millennium in infrastructure, but also in a variety of economic and Cities includes: Mekelle, Ethiopia; Kumasi, Ghana; Kisumu, social sectors capable of creating local livelihood Kenya; Blantyre, Malawi; Bamako and Segou, Mali; Akure opportunities that enable businesses and households to and Kaduna, Nigeria, and Louga, Senegal. thrive in place, rather than be forced to migrate to Africa’s overcrowded “megacities” such as Nairobi, Dakar, Lagos, In general, the cities chosen are capitals of the regions and Kinshasa. where the Millennium Villages Project (a joint undertaking of the Earth Institute, UNDP, the non-profit Millennium To further advance the global MDG agenda, the MCI is Promise, and an increasing number of donors and matching external partners with the Millennium Cities to host governments), is assisting smallholder farmers in help meet clearly identified needs in the social sector. Bi- making the transition from sub-subsistence agriculture to and multi-lateral, corporate and non-profit development sustainable commercial agriculture, together with related partners have already delivered to these severely non-agricultural economic activities. underserved metropolitan areas whole series of medical

With more than half of the world’s population now living trainings, screenings and other direct services; medical in towns or cities, and the clear majority of the world’s supplies and equipment, and research expertise in a gross national income coming from urbanized regions, it is wide spectrum of fields, from preventing gender violence clearly vital that the fundamental human rights embodied and fostering early childhood development, to enhancing in the MDGs be achieved in urban areas. Indeed, to escape the regulatory environment for investment; and increasing extreme poverty and ascend the ladder of economic the potential for carbon trading under the Kyoto growth and development, one essential component of a Protocols. necessarily complex set of solutions includes strong and To accomplish these objectives, the MCI has adopted a well functioning cities. Urban regions must be capable five-part methodology, beginning with two distinct areas of delivering essential human services; constructing of investigation undertaken in each Millennium City: and managing adequate infrastructure, transportation,  A series of needs-assessments and cost-analysis for and telecommunications connectivity; and supporting a key MDG related sectors, more precisely measuring healthy, productive, and engaged citizenry with access the steps required to achieve the MDGs in areas such to the essential exchange of information necessary both as public health, education, water and sanitation, and to thrive in today’s global economy and to participate gender equality, and in the international community of ideas. Succeeding in this quest by the MDG target date of 2015 will require  The concurrent formulation, through careful research, a series of systematically conceived, carefully targeted, of a public and private investment strategy predicated wide-ranging interventions across all economic and social on the city’s and region’s strongest assets, while sectors. Measuring the size of the gap in each sector, identifying and leveraging essential infrastructure thinking deeply about how to meet these challenges, and improvements to help attract and retain increased aiding this carefully selected group of cities in their efforts inflows of foreign direct investment. to do so, constitutes the main purpose of the MCI. These two research trajectories converge in the third Strengthening farm-to-market linkages is a key strategy phase of our work, when MCI’s findings are shared with for promoting economic development in these urban stakeholders so that, as fully informed citizens, they can regions. Once the farmers in the Millennium Villages begin determine their own development priorities and generate

18 19 a comprehensive development strategy for their city and development is inextricably interconnected, meaning that urban region. partial success in some aspects of the MDGs remains quite vulnerable to the other “weak links.” With mothers still In sum, the Millennium Cities Initiative has engaged in dying from childbirth and their children dying of malaria, a comprehensive approach to achieving the Millennium the clock is fast running out, and MCI’s comprehensive Development Goals in urban regions, because cities’ and approach to poverty reduction, public health, and donors’ best-intentioned attempts to accomplish the MDGs sustainable prosperity offers hope for the world at a time individually and incrementally have not been working when the need for rapid and long-lasting solutions is well enough to succeed. Despite donors’ understandable extraordinarily urgent. interest in addressing one problem at a time, the fact is that all significant economic, social, and environmental

EDITOR’S NOTE: MASHAV’s programs in the Millennium Cities of Kumasi, Kisumu, and Mekelle as well as in the Millennium Village of Koraro, provide field-tested solutions to development challenges. Cooperation within the framework of the Millennium Cities Initiative and the Millennium Villages Project can be viewed as models of MASHAV’s goal to cooperate and coordinate its programs with donor and partner countries alike to achieve international sustainable development. Following are a few examples of MCI-MASHAV Cooperation:

KUMASI, GHANA

Excerpt from a report by Abenaa Akuamoa- care, and support for persons infected with HIV/ Boateng, MCI Project Manager, Kumasi, Ghana AIDS. The courses have also empowered health teams to plan and implement programs aimed at MASHAV and the Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI) the prevention of non-communicable diseases that joined together in October 2006 to assist the city of are on the rise. To address the unacceptably high Kumasi in achieving the Millennium Development rate of neonatal mortality, MASHAV funded a three Goals (MDGs), through the transfer of knowledge month TOT course on neonatal nursing for two supported by model projects. To date, MASHAV has doctors and two nurses in Israel. MASHAV has also been actively involved in the health and education sectors of the Kumasi Metropolis. In the health constructed, refurbished and equipped two new sector, MASHAV has funded eight on-site courses Mother and Baby Units (MBU) in the Kumasi South targeted at strengthening the capacity of health and Suntreso Hospitals, in order to decongest the service providers to provide effective and efficient MBU at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), care in many different areas, including trauma and improve the care for neonates, and ultimately, medical emergencies, neonatal nursing, nutrition reduce neonatal mortality.

19 Mother and Baby Units in Kumasi: Improving care of neonates

The Government of Ghana’s Educational for teachers aimed at upgrading their skills and Restructuring Program of 2004 incorporated knowledge in order to effectively address the kindergartens into the formal education system. children’s’ needs. A MASHAV delegation including With this revision, providing early childhood Ms. Beth-Eden Kite, Director, MASHAV Training education has become a major challenge for the Department, Mr. Meir Cohen, Director, MASHAV Ghana Education Service. The MCI, in consultation Projects Department, and Dr. Yossi Baratz, with the Kumasi Metro Education unit, identified MASHAV’s Special Medical Advisor, visited the the need to strengthen the capacity of teachers Kumasi Metropolis in February 2009 to view the in the kindergartens to adequately address this challenge. To this end, the MCI, through MASHAV, projects, interact with key stakeholders, and map has empowered the Mount Carmel International out the path of collaboration for the next two Training Centre in Israel (MCTC) to provide courses years.

KISUMU, KENYA

Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city, has one of The MASHAV-MCI cooperation in Kisumu is Kenya’s highest poverty levels. Severe deficiencies currently formulating proposals to address many in housing, water, sanitation and appropriate solid of the most pressing challenges. Included in this are support of the health sector, and the training waste disposal have slowed development, and of the medical staff, including doctors, nurses and the disease burden (untreated HIV/AIDS, malaria management. Another issue addressed is disaster and other infectious diseases) is very high. Over preparedness and management, with an emphasis 60% of the population lives in peri-urban settings, on mitigation measures such as the provision of practicing unregulated, subsistence-level urban ambulances and fire engines, and training in life- agriculture. The city is working to improve its saving techniques. MASHAV-MCI is also working infrastructural capacity. on local economic development, emphasizing

20 capacity-building and setting up strategic planning units (SPU) in the council, as well as developing a plan for the city structure. Also addressed are environmental development issues, with an emphasis on technology for waste management, greening the city and capacity-building. Education development, with emphasis on school planning and early childhood development, is a priority as well, as is youth development, focusing on employment creation and opportunities for income generation for the energetic majority of Kisumu, most of who are in the informal sector.

MASHAV-MCI, in cooperation with the local African governments, will continue striving assist communities in developing countries to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

21 INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE TRAINING IN MEDICINE:

MARKING 20 YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

TAL SHAHAR & ALISON YADAN

The Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University is the largest teaching hospital in the country and is proud to be one of Israel’s leading health science teaching institutions. Since its establishment in 1964, the goals of the Faculty have been excellence in medical education and medical care, combined with a broad approach to health problems. The Faculty has had a profound influence on the country’s health standards through the academic supervision of seven teaching general hospitals, as well as rehabilitation centers and psychiatric institutions, Twhich together serve over 40% of Israel’s population. The medical facilities affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine offer healthcare services to a diverse population from different ethnic origins, cultural backgrounds and socio-economic levels.

THE INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE TRAINING IN MEDICINE

In 1988, representatives from both the School of Continuing Medical Education at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Israel’s National Agency for International Cooperation (MASHAV) met to establish a unique program offering clinical training to qualified physicians from developing countries. One of the main objectives was to create a program which would respond to the WHO (World Health Organization) mission of “Health for All by A.D. 2000.” And so, the International Postgraduate Training in Medicine program was launched. Twenty years later, we are celebrating the successful completion of sixty training courses, in which approximately 1,400 physicians, from over 100 different countries, have participated.

WHY IN ISRAEL?

Hospitals and medical facilities in Israel offer state-of-the-art medical treatment in every aspect of clinical medicine, from the latest technology, to advances in equipment, to cutting- edge research. One of the key elements of our facilities’ success is our devotion to clinical and basic research, which has led Israel to become a world leader in the field. In addition, hospitals are constantly pioneering new approaches and technologies that will benefit their patients.

Doctors joining the program not only observe, but immerse themselves in the stimulating environment of a vigorous and rapidly developing country. Moreover, the doctors are exposed to the ever-expanding needs and requirements of the 21st century. They experience the exciting challenge of being confronted with medical situations unfamiliar to them, and they are able to receive hands-on training in new methods of treatment, using advanced

22 equipment that may not yet be available in their own The participants receive a temporary license to practice countries. Upon their return home, these doctors are able to medicine from the Israeli Ministry of Health and are covered implement and share the knowledge they acquired in Israel by malpractice and health insurance throughout the in hospitals and medical systems around the world. program. Attendance at the hospitals is required Sunday through Thursday. The visiting doctors actively participate in the daily routines of the departments, including seminars, ABOUT THE PROGRAM conferences, supervised rounds, bedside instruction, The program, which is conducted in English, offers surgery and other procedures. In addition, lectures are held a two-and-a-half-month postgraduate clinical training in on topics in medicine, health sciences and cultural aspects medicine to overseas physicians, who are on varying rungs of Israel. Participants are taken on tours of the country and of the medical ladder. The relatively short length of the are invited to attend social activities organized especially course has allowed female physicians to play an important for them. The program also includes basic instruction in role in participating, and in fact, 30% of our alumni are emergency medicine and primary life support (ACLS), as women. Following a meticulous recruitment process, the well as a medically-oriented Internet workshop. A few selected participants are assigned to different departments Hebrew-language lessons are offered as well, to provide in hospitals and rehabilitation centers affiliated with the doctors with a basic daily vocabulary. the Sackler Faculty of Medicine. These departments are Throughout the training, the participants selected according to the participants’ various specialized are encouraged to share their fields of interest. own medical expertise and On the first day of the course, each participant is establish ties with the medical personally escorted to the hospital by a staff member of the professionals in Israel. This International Postgraduate Training in Medicine, to meet exchange of knowledge with the head of the department responsible for tutoring benefits both sides. The the participant during the training. Together, they build an participants have an individualized program tailored to meet the participant’s opportunity to utilize the needs and goals. skills they acquired in

23 A festive Graduation Ceremony is held to celebrate the conclusion of the training program. It is attended by members of the foreign Diplomatic Corps serving in Israel, heads of hospital departments, and tutors and hospital staff who have been involved in the visiting physicians’ lives during their stay. During the ceremony, the participants are awarded a Graduation Certificate indicating the relevant discipline, signed by MASHAV and the Tel Aviv University. An ACLS Certificate is awarded to those physicians who passed the mandatory exam.

After twenty years and sixty courses, the facts speak for themselves. Our alumni continually express to us the profound impact their experience had on them, as well as their deep gratitude for the opportunity to study in Israel. Many return for further training or visits.

Israel toward improving medical systems in their home It is this positive feedback that motivates us to constantly countries. The Israeli physicians have the opportunity to improve and amend the program’s structure to meet the get acquainted with the participants’ local communities ever-changing needs of the developing world. Through and diseases. The sharing of knowledge so integral to the coming years, the courses may change structurally; the program leads to bilateral research and professional however, the goals remain the same - to share Israel’s exchange visits. cutting-edge knowledge with the developing world!

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24 LEADING THE FIGHT AGAINST NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES IN ETHIOPIA

AVNIT RIFKIN

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are affecting about a quarter of the world’s population and primarily the poorest people. These diseases are the hallmark of poverty and are a major cause for its persistence in all developing countries, particularly in Africa. They may also have a major influence on the spread and intensity of the three large epidemics – AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria – but have been largely neglected by developed countries, where they are practically Nnonexistent. Up to 50% of the entire African population suffers from NTDs, and negative health effects include retardation of growth, anemia, poor cognitive functioning and liver disease.

Professor Zvi Bentwich, head of the Center for Tropical Diseases and AIDS (CEMTA) of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, believes that there is a connection between NTDs and the AIDS epidemic in Africa. He states that “though responsible for serious morbidity, and affecting general growth and mental abilities, NTDs have been largely neglected by the Western developed countries. Eradication of all NTDs is achievable for an extremely modest cost, which is much less than what it takes to fight the more recognized epidemics like AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.”

Taking steps to address this public health threat, MASHAV organized a groundbreaking workshop focusing on deworming. The workshop, part of MASHAV’s new approach in the field of eradicating and controlling communicable and infectious diseases, was held in October, 2008 in Mekelle, Ethiopia.

The workshop was developed in preparation for the launch of the actual deworming project. Participants included local health workers and school teachers, as both these parties were responsible for carrying out the project in their communities.

The workshop was opened officially by Dr. Gebraab Barnabas, Director of the Regional Health Bureau, under whose auspices the workshop took place. Dr. Barnabas expressed strong support for the deworming project, promising to do whatever possible in order to facilitate and help make it a reality. Similar support was voiced by the Mayor of Mekelle and the head of the local education office.

The participation of both health workers and teachers in the workshop was extremely successful for both parties, making this the first ever cooperation between the two groups. The success of the deworming project in Mekelle relies on the health education component and the ability to reach as large an audience as possible, and not simply on the medications alone, so it was essential to engender intense collaboration between the education and the health systems.

25 Professor Bentwich with the participants in the Deworming Workshop in Mekelle D EWORMING W ORKSHOP

26 27 The success of this unique workshop was possible thanks to the combined efforts of the cooperating parties: Tigray’s Regional Bureaus of Health and Education and the local school authorities, the Earth Institute’s Millennium Cities Initiative-MCI [See article on page 17], the Center for National Health Development in Ethiopia (CNHDE), CEMTA, MASHAV, and the Israeli Embassy in Ethiopia.

The joint deworming program combines the provision and administration of antihelminthic medications, which consist of a few pills given every four to six months, with an educational program on how to improve hygiene and protect populations from exposure to the parasites. The workshop raised a new awareness regarding the lack of latrines and water taps in a significant number of schools in Mekelle. Since latrines and access to clean water are critical for preventing re-exposure and re-infection, MASHAV, in cooperation with the Municipality of Mekelle, constructed new latrines and water taps in thirty schools in the town.

Prof. Bentwich concludes: “Eradication of NTDs is an extremely potent and powerful way to improve the well-being of the poorest populations in the world afflicted with these diseases. The cumulative experience gained from the Ethiopian endeavor can be copied and transferred to other countries in Africa, Asia and South America. The essentials of the program can be used as a template to train health personnel and local populations, and, together with the provision of medications, can be implemented widely. The success of the program is clearly dependent on a comprehensive approach that combines therapy, health education, improved sanitation, and access to Latrines and access to clean water are critical in fighting NTDs: Newly constructed latrines and water taps in Mekelle clean water. There is no other health intervention in the world that is anywhere near it in cost-effectiveness and profound impact on general health.”

27 SHALOM CLUBS

The Paraguay Shalom Club recently carried out two notable activities for the benefit of the community.

In April 2009, a very successful trip was made to the Chaco

ARAGUAY Region in Paraguay to bring to the indigenous community P of Jerusalen donations collected during the 2009 solidarity campaign organized by the Paraguay Shalom Club and the Friends of Israel Cultural Society in the solidarity program in which assistance is proffered to fellowmen. The delegation, made up of Nelly Prado, Gilda Medina, Ruben Aquino and Eduardo Zaracho, spent a day with the natives of the Enxlet community and delivered the donations, consisting of school equipment, medications, clothing, food and other goods.

The campaign was made possible through the support received from the Honorary Consulate of Israel in Paraguay, B’nai B’rith Paraguay and the Kadima affiliate, the Paraguay-Israel Cultural Institute, the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, the Alliance Israelite of Paraguay, the Union Hebraica of Paraguay and many other persons and institutions who joined together with the members of the Shalom Club.

In June 2009, members of the Shalom Club and the Friends of the Israel Cultural Society, following the invitation of the Municipality of San Lorenzo del Campo Grande, promoted the planting of trees along the city’s bicycle path; a site that in the future will be inaugurated as the “Bicentenary Forest of the Republic of Paraguay.”

This activity is part of the Shalom Association’s cultural expansion and environmental protection program. The area chosen is of approximately 5000 m² and it is planned to plant over one hundred native and exotic trees. This occasion was attended by a delegation of ex-alumni, municipal authorities and forestry engineering students. Also present was Engineer Ronaldo Dietze, coordinator of the “Paraguay respira a todo pulmon” (Paraguay takes a deep breath) program, who praised the initiative and cited as an example the work of the MASHAV ex-alumni.

28 29 In June 2009, the Shalom Club of El Salvador organized an impressive event to mark World Environment Day in the village of Jerusalen, about 80 km from the

ALVADOR capital city. This village suffered serious damage in the great earthquake of 2001, and the Israeli S

L Embassy and the Jewish community also made a

E large contribution to the renovation efforts.

The festive event was organized by the president of the Shalom Club (Dr. Ildiko de Tesak) in conjunction with the local Ministry of the Environment, and with the participation also of the mayoress of the village of Jerusalen, the Israeli Ambassador in El Salvador, H.E. Matanya Cohen, and the local community.

In the course of the event 500 trees were planted in the avenue at the entrance to the village by students of the local high school; the first tree was planted jointly by the hosting mayor and the Israeli ambassador to El Salvador. During the ceremony Rosa Elena de Valencia, the new president of the Shalom Club of the branch of the city of San Vicente, near the village of Jerusalen, was sworn in.

28 2299 MASHAV http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News

FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS AFRICA

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman arrived in September 2nd, 2009 in Ethiopia, to begin his visit to Africa. FM Liberman was accompanied by a large economic delegation, as well as by government officials, including Ambassador Haim Divon, head of MASHAV. FM Liberman and Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum Mesfin, signed a cooperation agreement between Israel and Ethiopia. During his visit to Ethiopia, FM Liberman inaugurated the Butajira Center of Excellence for Horticulture for developing human resources in agriculture in Ethiopia, a tripartite project of the two countries and the USAID [See page 38].

The Foreign Minister continued his tour of Africa, meeting in Kenya, with the President of the State and the various Program. MASHAV and HABITAT have cooperated for the past three years, government ministers. FM Liberman and addressing the needs and problems of urbanizationin Africa, South America, Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula and Asia. signed a declaration of cooperation in the The FM next stop was Ghana, where he met with President John Evans areas of health, agriculture, education, Atta Mills. FM Liberman and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional security, emergency services, energy, water Integration, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, signed a cooperation agreement and irrigation. Following this agreement, according to which Israel will assist Ghana in increasing fish production for FM Liberman and the Kenyan Minister of export and local consumption. The ministers also signed a joint declaration Water and Irrigation signed an agreement to expand cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education, medicine, to increase cooperation between the two water management, and pisciculture, and to increase trade between the countries in the management of water two states. resources and in the introduction of modern FM Liberman continued to Nigeria, where he signed a cooperation irrigation methods to the agricultural agreement between ECOWAS (The Economic Community of West African sector. States) and MASHAV with emphasis on reducing poverty and preservation While in Kenya, FM Liberman participated and protection of the environment. The FM concluded his tour of Africa in in a signing ceremony renewing Israel’s Uganda. FM Liberman stated that the aim of the agreements signed is to agreement of cooperation with HABITAT transform good intentions into reality, and to continue the fertile cooperation - The United Nations Human Settlements between the African states and Israel.

M A S H AV 30 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News AGRITECH ISRAEL 2009: TOMORROW’S AGRICULTURE – TODAY

The renowned International Agritech Israel Exhibition took science and technology, extension, and farming would all place at the Tel Aviv fairgrounds in May 2009, presenting be utilized to create a new and better equilibrium between the ever improving agro-technologies of Israel. the supply and demand of quality food for all.

Israel’s agricultural sector is characterized by an intensive system of production stemming from the need to overcome the scarcity in natural resources, particularly water and arable land. The constant growth in agricultural production is due to the close cooperation between researchers, extensionists, farmers and agriculture-related industries, which together develop and apply new methods in all agricultural branches. The result is modern agriculture flourishing in a country in which over half its land is desert.

During the exhibition, MASHAV took part in the International Conference on “The Global Food Crisis: Ambassador Haim Divon, Head of MASHAV takes the stand Meeting the Challenge.” The conference was a unique and during the International Conference. Sitting from right to left: unprecedented occasion in which the best minds, from Israel Father Godfrey Nzamujo, Songhai Center; H.E Mr. and abroad, policy makers as well as professionals, joined Gilbert Houngbo, Prime Minister of the Togolese Republic, together to provide an ample scope of analysis based on former Head of Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP; Mrs. Fernanda Guerieri, the Food and Agriculture their experiences. The analysis incorporated various points Organization of the United Nations (FAO); of view regarding how policy, planning, management, Mr. Daly Belgasmi, Director, World Food Program, Geneva

DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ADDRESSES MASHAV SYMPOSIUM

On July 1, 2009, MASHAV launched a symposium for the staff of its professional training centers. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon opened the symposium by addressing the participants. Deputy FM Ayalon noted that, “Israel is committed to meeting the challenges of development. MASHAV is a very important element in Israel’s foreign policy - morally, politically and economically.” Ambassador Haim Divon, Head of MASHAV, briefed the participants in the symposium on MASHAV’s commitment to meeting the Millennium Development Goals, including adapting activities to the development Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon challenges of the 21st century, and adjusting its targets to the changing needs of the developing world. a quarter of a million trainees in Israel and abroad. Deputy MASHAV conducts extensive training programs, both in FM Ayalon, who began his career at the Foreign Ministry Israel and abroad, in a wide variety of fields, including in MASHAV, noted that he looks forward to meeting once agriculture, health, empowerment of women, socio- again with the MASHAV experts, who translate into action economic development, and education. The work is carried Israel’s desire to share experience and expertise with other out at professional training centers, in cooperation with countries. “The knowledge that we share with the nations relevant government ministries. Over the course of fifty-one of the world helps improve life in many countries while years, MASHAV has provided hands-on instruction to over strengthening our ties with them.”

31 MARKI N G 25 YEARS OF MCTC-TIFF CO OPERATION

A s t h e S t u d y To u r f o r T h a i E d u c a t o r s , h e l d u n d e r t h e a u s p i c e s o f t h e T h a i I s r a e l Fr i e n d s h i p Fo u n d a t i o n ( T I F F ) , c a m e t o a n e n d i n A p r i l 2 0 0 9 , a re m a r k a b l e c e l e b r a t i o n t o o k p l a c e a t t h e G o l d a M e i r M o u n t C a r m e l I n t e r n a t i o n a l Tr a i n i n g C e n t e r ( M C TC ) t o m a r k t w e n t y- f i v e y e a r s o f M A S H AV / M C TC cooperation with TIFF. Several former Israeli Ambassadors, H o n o r a r y-C o n s u l s t o T h a i l a n d , a n d M C TC s t a f f m e m b e r s , b o t h p a s t a n d p re s e n t , a t t e n d e d t h e e v e n t . A t re e w a s p l a n t e d i n t h e M C TC g a rd e n f o r M o m A n o n g N i l u b o l , Pre s i d e n t o f T I F F, a n d w a r m a n d a p p re c i a t i v e s p e e c h e s w e re m a d e i n h e r h o n o r b y t h e d i s t i n g u i s h e d g u e s t s . M C TC D i re c t o r M a z a l Re n f o rd ex p re s s e d t h e p ro f o u n d g r a t i t u d e f o r M o m A n o n g ’ s g re a t s t r i d e s i n c re a t i n g ‘ c i t i z e n s o f Ambassador Benjamin A vileah of MASHAV looks on as t h e f u t u re , ’ t h ro u g h h e r i n i t i a t i v e s a n d i n v o l v e m e n t Course Director Janette Hirschmann presents Mom Anong i n I s r a e l i - T h a i c o o p e r a t i o n i n t h e f i e l d s o f e d u c a t i o n, Nilubol, President of the Thai Israel Friendship Foundation, science and culture. with a gift during her celebratory visit to MCTC.

ISRAELI DELE G ATION ADDRESSES UN COMMISSION ON SUS TAI NABLE DEVELOPMENT

I n Fe b r u a r y 2 0 0 9 , a n I s r a e l i d e l e g a t i o n a d d re s s e d t h e A d d re s s i n g i s s u e s o f d e s e r t i f i c a t i o n a n d d ro u g h t , l a n d Economic and Social Council’s annual Commission on u s e , a n d d e v e l o p m e n t a c ro s s Af r i c a , t h e d e l e g a t i o n o f f e re d S u s t a i n a b l e D e v e l o p m e n t ( CS D 1 7 ) a t t h e U N H e a d q u a r t e r s I s r a e l ’ s ex p e r t i s e a n d i n s i g h t o n t h e c o m p l ex i s s u e s f a c i n g i n N e w Yo r k . T h e d e l e g a t i o n i n c l u d e d re p re s e n t a t i v e s f ro m global sustainable development. t h e I s r a e l i M i n i s t r i e s o f Fo re i g n Af f a i r s a n d A g r i c u l t u re .

CICA-MASHAV SEMI NAR ON ADVANCED AGRICU LTU RE FOR DEVELOPMENT

I n O c t o b e r 2 0 0 8 , C I CA S e c re t a r i a t ( t h e C o n f e re n c e o n o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t c o o p e r a t i o n, a n d ex p re s s e d I n t e r a c t i o n a n d C o n f i d e n c e B u i l d i n g M e a s u re s i n A s i a ) I s r a e l ’ s re a d i n e s s t o c o n t r i b u t e t o w a rd s c o n f i d e n c e b u i l d i n g c o n d u c t e d a s e m i n a r o n “A d v a n c e d A g r i c u l t u re f o r measures between governments and peoples. D e v e l o p m e n t ” i n c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h M A S H AV. C I CA i s a multinational forum aimed at enhancing worldwide c o o p e r a t i o n t o w a rd s t h e p ro m o t i o n o f p e a c e , s e c u r i t y a n d s t a b i l i t y, i n A s i a a n d i n t h e re s t o f t h e w o r l d . T h e s e m i n a r b ro u g h t t o g e t h e r re p re s e n t a t i v e s f ro m C I CA M e m b e r S t a t e s , b o t h a t t h e p o l i t i c a l a n d t h e p ro f e s s i o n a l l e v e l s , w h o s h a re d n a t i o n a l ex p e r i e n c e s a n d ex c h a n g e d v i e w s o n common challenges, innovative technologies, and effective instruments for agricultural development.

T h e s e m i n a r w a s j o i n t l y o rg a n i z e d b y M A S H AV a n d Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the professional aspects implemented in partnership with CINADCO (The Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation). The seminar demonstrated M A S H AV’ s re a d i n e s s t o c o o p e r a t e w i t h C I CA i n t h e f i e l d Ambassador Divon and CICA Secretariat delegates

MASHAV 32 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News WATER EXPERTS FROM JORDAN

A delegation of high-level water experts from Jordan visited Israel in the beginning of November 2008 to learn about Israeli technology and techniques. The Jordanian experts came as part of a program organized by MASHAV and CINADCO The program covered many subjects, including fertilization and pressurized irrigation, administration of urban water, and treatment of recycled water for irrigation. Over the course of the coming year, Israeli and Jordanian water experts will share their expertise in four week-long workshops, two of which will take place in Israel, and two in Jordan.

MASHAV-WHO PUBLIC HEALTH AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COURSE

The second course on Public Health and Emergency after an event. During the course, presenters spoke about Management (PHEM Euro 2) was held in Israel in June risk management as a framework for policy making and 2009. The course was hosted and implemented jointly planning within the national development process, and the by MASHAV, the Israeli Ministry of Health, and the World participants were provided with opportunities to practice Health Organization (WHO). The objective of the course the knowledge and skills presented. Participants in the was to foster health security in the regions from which the course included representatives from Albania, Armenia, participants came, and to enhance the capacity of their Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, respective health care systems by providing the participants Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Tajikistan and Ukraine. Upon the completion with the principles, knowledge, policies, and skills needed of the program, participants remarked that the course for disaster preparedness and response. significantly enhanced the knowledge and skill level they The course addressed various types of emergencies, needed in order to improve their countries’ health systems including natural, man-made and technological disasters, with regard to preparation for, response to, and recovery and focused on managerial practices before, during and from disasters.

ETHIOPIA, ISRAEL, AND GERMANY LAUNCH TRIPARTITE AGRICULTURAL PROJECT

In June 2009, Ethiopia, Israel, and Germany launched a tripartite agricultural development project, to enable Ethiopia to enhance small-scale irrigation development activities in different parts of the nation. Expected to benefit over 1,000 farmers, the pilot project will be implemented in the regions of Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, and South Ethiopia Peoples’ States. The project will complement the government’s efforts geared toward ensuring food security and self-sufficiency. The three-year project was launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the premises of the Israeli Embassy, in the presence of Beshir Abdulahi, Ethiopia’s Agriculture and Rural Development State Minister, Dr. Claas From left to right: German Ambassador to Ethiopia, Dr. Claas Dieter Knoop; Agriculture and Rural Development Dieter Knoop, German Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Oded State Minister, Beshir Abdulahi Israeli Ambassador to Ben-Haim, Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia. Ethiopia, Oded Ben-Haim. Photo: Andrea Bahm – GTZ

33 MASHAV-UN DESA INTER-SESSIONAL EVENT FOR CSD-17

In March 2009, the Government of Israel, through MASHAV T h e w o r k s h o p w a s a i m e d a t s h a r i n g I s r a e l i ex p e r i e n c e s , and in collaboration with the United Nations Department p ro v e n m e t h o d s , a n d b e s t p r a c t i c e s f o r d e v e l o p i n g o f E c o n o m i c a n d S o c i a l Af f a i r s ( U N D E S A ) , o rg a n i z e d p r a c t i c a l m e t h o d s o f re v e r s i n g t re n d s o f s o i l d e g r a d a t i o n. a c a p a c i t y b u i l d i n g w o r k s h o p a t a n i n t e r- s e s s i o n a l e v e n t To p i c s i n c l u d e d h y d ro l o g i c a l s t r a t e g i e s a n d i n f o r m a t i o n o n f o r CS D- 1 7 o n “ T h e Ro l e o f N a t i v e a n d D e s e r t -A d a p t e d n a t i v e a n d d e s e r t - a d a p t e d p l a n t s p e c i e s , w i t h t h e g o a l o f S p e c i e s f o r t h e Pu r p o s e o f S l o w i n g D e s e r t i f i c a t i o n . ” T h e p ro m o t i n g m e t h o d s f o r i m p ro v i n g b o t h f o o d s e c u r i t y a n d w o r k s h o p w a s h e l d a t t h e A r a v a I n s t i t u t e f o r E n v i ro n m e n t a l economic opportunity. S t u d i e s , l o c a t e d o n K i b b u t z Ke t u r a i n t h e s o u t h o f I s r a e l .

ISRAELI AMBASSAD OR TO UN SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH TH E UNDP

I s r a e l s i g n e d a p a r t n e r s h i p a g re e m e n t w i t h t h e U n i t e d milestone in UN-Israel cooperation in developing countries. N a t i o n s D e v e l o p m e n t Pro g r a m i n D e c e m b e r 2 0 0 8 , A c c o rd i n g t o t h e a g re e m e n t , I s r a e l w i l l s h a re i t s ex p e r t i s e p ro m i s i n g s u p p o r t t o d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r i e s , m a i n l y i n a n d t e c h n o l o g i c a l a b i l i t i e s i n t h e f i e l d s o f a g r i c u l t u re , Af r i c a . T h e d o c u m e n t w a s s i g n e d b y H. E G a b r i e l a S h a l e v, water, food, health and education. I s r a e l i A m b a s s a d o r t o t h e U N a n d m a r k s a g ro u n d b re a k i n g

MCTC WORKSHOP ON PREVENTI N G TRAFFICKI N G OF HUMAN BEI N GS

I n m a y 2 0 0 9 , t h e G o l d a M e i r M o u n t C a r m e l I n t e r n a t i o n a l Tr a i n i n g C e n t e r ( M C TC ) i n H a i f a , h o s t e d i t s t h i rd I n t e r n a t i o n a l Wo r k s h o p o n Pre v e n t i n g Tr a f f i c k i n g o f H u m a n B e i n g s , i n c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h M A S H AV, a l o n g w i t h t h e International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Center for International Migration a n d I n t e g r a t i o n ( C I M I ) a n d t h e J o i n t Distribution Committee (JDC), as part of t h e w o r l d w i d e e f f o r t t o t a c k l e t h i s i m m e n s e humanitarian problem.

The topic of Preventing Trafficking of Human Beings emerged as a direct consequence of MCTC’s 2005 biennial International seventeen countries from the African, Asian, Central and Eastern Women Leaders’ Conference on Migration European, and Latin American continents, where trafficking in human and Gender Issues within the Millennium beings is a grave issue. Development Goals. Since then, a series of activities conducted by MCTC have taken G u e s t o f H o n o r, M m e N d i o re N d i a y e , I O M D e p u t y D i re c t o r-G e n e r a l , place regularly, both in Israel and abroad, e m p h a s i z e d t h re e k e y i s s u e s : Pre v e n t i n g t r a f f i c k i n g b y f o c u s i n g o n ro o t on this vitally important and timely topic. c a u s e s , s t re n g t h e n i n g p ro t e c t i o n f o r a l l m i g r a n t s , a n d s t re n g t h e n i n g The International Workshop was attended by re s e a rc h a n d e v a l u a t i o n. M C TC h o p e s t o t a c k l e s o m e o f t h e m o s t u rg e n t thirty experienced professionals, representing topics in its 2010 program.

MASHAV 34 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News ISRAELI WATER EXPERTS HOLD SEMINAR IN BAKU

A five-day seminar on Water Resources Management for program at Israel’s Kibbutz Shfayim, called on Azerbaijan Combating Desertification was held in April 2009 in Baku, to continue to cooperate with Israel on new technological Azerbaijan. The seminar was co-sponsored by the Embassy developments in the fields of ecology and agriculture. of Israel and the UN Development Program Office. Two Israeli water resource experts shared their experiences with twenty-seven Azerbaijani specialists from various fields, including representatives from the Ministry of Ecology and National Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as Azerbaijan’s Water Commission and NGOs.

The final day of the seminar was attended by Firdovsi Aliyev, the Deputy Minister of Ecology and National Resources of Azerbaijan Arthur Lenk, Israel’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, and Bruno Pouezat, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan. Deputy Minister Aliyev, who himself is a graduate of the MASHAV training

MASHAV-UNDP COOPERATION IN UZBEKISTAN

Israeli experts in the field of agriculture conducted a seminar the influence of nutrition and forage reserve on milk on Sustainable Development of Cattle Breeding within the productivity, and introduced the participants to modern framework of MASHAV-UNDP, with the cooperation of the technologies and innovations in the field of agro-chemistry Uzbek Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management. and agronomy. The seminar covered topics such as cattle rationing, and

STUDY TOUR FOR TURKISH EXPERTS

In March 2009, a delegation of twenty-two professionals participants his organization’s assistance in advancing their working in the field of the education of hearing-impaired projects. With this enthusiastic support, the group members children attended an intensive ten day workshop in Haifa, were able to return to Istanbul with plans to establish Israel. The program was carried out by the Golda Meir Istanbul’s first pilot-project center for the support of very Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC). Their young hearing-impaired children and their families. visit was the fourth in a series of activities between MCTC, in cooperation with the Jewish Distribution Committee (JDC), and the Association of Deaf Children and Their Parents (TIS&IED), an Istanbul-based organization for the education and support of hearing-impaired infants, pre-schoolers and their parents. In addition to interactive lectures from prominent Israeli experts, the program also included tours of Israeli centers which are dedicated to educating very young children with hearing-impairment.

At the ceremony marking the end of the tour, H.E. Mr. Namik Tan, Turkish Ambassador to Israel, spoke warmly of the project. Head of MASHAV, Ambassador Haim Divon, expressed MASHAV’s enthusiasm for continued cooperation with Turkey. Mr. Ami Bergman from JDC offered the

35 THE MI NIS TRY OF FOREIGN AFFAI RS CELEBRATES AFRICA DAY 2009

I n J u n e 2 0 0 9 , u n d e r t h e a u s p i c e s o f t h e D e p u t y Pr i m e a t t e n d a n c e a t t h e e v e n t w e re a m b a s s a d o r s a n d m e m b e r s M i n i s t e r a n d M i n i s t e r o f Fo re i g n Af f a i r s , Av i g d o r L i b e r m a n, o f t h e D i p l o m a t i c C o r p s f ro m Af r i c a a n d o t h e r c o u n t r i e s , t h e M i n i s t r y o f Fo re i g n Af f a i r s h o s t e d a s p e c i a l p ro g r a m s e n i o r o f f i c i a l s o f t h e M i n i s t r y o f Fo re i g n Af f a i r s , m e m b e r s a n d re c e p t i o n i n h o n o r o f Af r i c a D a y 2 0 0 9 . D r. U z i La n d a u , o f t h e I s r a e l -Af r i c a Fr i e n d s h i p S o c i e t y, re p re s e n t a t i v e s M i n i s t e r o f N a t i o n a l I n f r a s t r u c t u re s , a d d re s s e d t h e o f g o v e r n m e n t a l m i n i s t r i e s , re p re s e n t a t i v e s o f c o m m e rc i a l a u d i e n c e . T h e c e l e b r a t i o n o f Af r i c a D a y i n I s r a e l h a s b e c o m e c o m p a n i e s a c t i v e i n Af r i c a , p a r t i c i p a n t s i n M A S H AV a t r a d i t i o n, w h i c h ex p re s s e s t h e l o n g - t e r m f r i e n d s h i p a n d c o u r s e s f ro m Af r i c a a n d re p re s e n t a t i v e s o f a c a d e m i c c o o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n I s r a e l a n d t h e Af r i c a n n a t i o n s . I n i n s t i t u t i o n s .

Africa Day (from left t o righ t ): H.E. Mr Sam Azubuike Dada Olise, Nigerian Ambassador t o Israel; Ambassador Yaacov (Jacques) Revach Deputy Direct or General f or Africa, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Uzi Landau, Minist er of National Infrastructures, H.E. Mr. Fesseha Asghedom Tessema, Ambassador of Ethiopia (FDRE), Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Israel; and Ambassador Haim Div on, Head of MASHAV

RES TORI N G SIGHT IN VI ETNAM

T h e I s r a e l i E m b a s s y i n V i e t n a m , w i t h t h e s u p p o r t o f t o g e t h e r w i t h l o c a l s t a f f, re s t o r i n g s i g h t t o m a n y o f t h e M A S H AV a n d t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e I s r a e l i N G O “ E y e f ro m patients. Israeli ophthalmologists also train the local Z i o n, ” t h e J e w i s h D i s t r i b u t i o n C o m m i t t e e ( J D C ) , a n d t h e personnel, and ophthalmological equipment and supplies Vietnamese National Institute of Ophthalmology (VNIO), are donated by the Government of Israel. c a r r i e d o u t a h u m a n i t a r i a n m i s s i o n i n N g h e A n a n d N i n h Binh provinces in February 2009.

T h e t w o- w e e k m i s s i o n i n c l u d e d f o u r l e a d i n g I s r a e l i ophthalmologists, who, accompanied by Vietnamese d o c t o r s a n d n u r s e s , c o n d u c t e d o v e r 2 0 0 s u rg i c a l p ro c e d u re s t o re s t o re e y e s i g h t . Fo r m a n y y e a r s , M A S H AV has been conducting “eye-camps,” – blindness prevention a n d e y e - c a re m i s s i o n s i n p a r t n e r c o u n t r i e s . T h e s e m i s s i o n s , d e s i g n e d t o t re a t p a t i e n t s s u f f e r i n g f ro m v a r i o u s d e g re e s o f b l i n d n e s s a n d o c u l a r d i s e a s e , a re u n d e r t a k e n b y t e a m s o f I s r a e l i o p h t h a l m o l o g i s t s a n d o p e r a t e o n t h e p re m i s e s o f l o c a l h o s p i t a l s o r c l i n i c s . H u n d re d s o f s u rg i c a l p ro c e d u re s a re p e rf o r m e d b y t h e v i s i t i n g I s r a e l i t e a m s w h i c h w o r k

MASHAV 36 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News 37 MASHAV-FAO COOPERATION AGREEMENT

MASHAV and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the with the agreement to join forces in the future for the sake United Nations (FAO), signed an agreement in Rome in of common goals. The FAO is pleased with the inclusion of November 2008, to assist developing countries in reaching Israeli expertise and know-how in matters that are essential the Millennium Development Goals through a joint program for agricultural development in arid and semi-arid areas. focused on capacity building. MASHAV pledged to work with FAO to design, implement and monitor professional training projects, seminars and workshops, which will be held both in Israel and developing countries. MASHAV also promised to provide experts to assist FAO in capacity building programs. In return, FAO offered its qualified staff as trainers for MASHAV-sponsored workshops within the framework of a joint program held at headquarters, at regional and sub-regional levels and at offices throughout the country.

The Israeli delegation expressed deep satisfaction with the strengthening of ties between the two organizations, and

ISRAELI HUMANITARIAN AID TO SRI LANKA

A shipment of medical equipment and medicines, crisis was created in the northeastern region of the country, contributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and leaving 300,000 people homeless and forced to live under the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), in cooperation terrible conditions. The humanitarian shipment, which with the Ministry of Health, was delivered to the Sri was collected and organized by MASHAV, Israel’s National Lankan health authorities on June 2009. Agency for International Development Cooperation, was presented by Ruth Kahanoff, MFA deputy Director General The MFA had responded to the request of the Sri Lankan for Asia and the Pacific, who was visiting Colombo, the president, who requested the assistance of the international capital of Sri Lanka. community. Due to the war against the Tamil rebels, a severe

MASHAV LAUNCHES NEW LOGO

Israel’s international development cooperation program began in 1958, only a decade after the country’s War of Independence, with the establishment of MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation. Since its inception, over 250,000 professionals from all over the world participated in MASHAV’s training activities both in Israel and abroad. In accordance with the Millennium Development Goals, MASHAV has refocused its programs from supply-driven to demand-driven, in order to assist countries in fulfilling their national development strategies. Moreover, MASHAV’s priorities emphasize working together with partner countries, UN organizations, aid agencies, the civil society and the private sector to further national capacities.

3377 USAID – MASHAV – MOARD ENHANCING JOINT AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN ETHIOPIA

The Butajira Center of Ex cellence f or Horticulture in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is undergoing a successful agricultural and the dissemination of know-how, focusing on selected development process within the framework of the agricultural topics in specific, targeted agricultural fields. “Agricultural Development-led Industrialization” (ADLI) Upon completion of the First Phase of the Joint Program development strategy, facing the challenge of enhancing (2006-2009) the parties agreed to extend and continue the agricultural development in a predominantly rural Joint Technical Cooperation Agreement. In this context the agricultural setting, where about 85% of the population is engaged in small-scale, traditional farming. Following second phase will be carried out during the period of 2010 this initiative, poverty reduction strategies and other - 2011. This joint technical cooperation program is targeted related programs were developed in collaboration with the to coincide with the national development objectives international donor community. of Ethiopia and aims at contributing to the sustainable development of the horticultural sector, by enhancing Within this operating framework, a Joint Technical capacity building, management and implementation. Cooperation Program Agreement was signed in February 2005 between the USAID Technical Assistance Program to The Program was initially based on three major agricultural Ethiopia; the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development topics identified as priority areas: Bio-technology/Nursery of Ethiopia - MoARD; and Israel’s Agency for International Development; Water & Irrigation and Livestock Husbandry. Development Cooperation – MASHAV, through its During the implementation process, the parties expanded professional affiliate CINADCO - the Center for International the program activities by adding the topic of Horticulture Agricultural Development Cooperation. Nursery Development for Improved and High-quality This Joint Technical Cooperation Program was formulated Selected Tree Crops. The Second Phase of the Joint Program with the aim of enhancing food security in Ethiopia by will focus on Biotechnology and increasing laboratory introducing and assimilating advanced agricultural production capabilities, as well as on the transition practices, supported by appropriate technologies, from research to large scale production of high quality capacity building, advisory consultancies, study trips propagation matter.

MASHAV 38 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News 39 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

and useful course. I could learn Dear Readers: something new, meet new friends and visit interesting places during Shalom Magazine reaches you once again, bringing word about field trips. I will keep my memories MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation deep in my mind and heart. of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Let me wish to all of you all good MASHAV continues its development work throughout the world, health, good luck, peace and success training thousands of professionals each year and striving to both in your professional and your alleviate shared global problems, encouraging its graduates to personal life. Keep in touch. adapt the knowledge acquired in the training courses to their With compliments, respective cultural and social realities, economic potential, natural resources and regional priorities. Shalom Magazine remains a strong Jiri Sklenar link between MASHAV and its graduates everywhere, addressing Ant. Smutneho 295/84 issues that lie at the core of development. 664 47 Strelice u Brna CZECH REPUBLIC As computers become more accessible, many more of you are going on-line. You can learn about MASHAV’s many programs [email protected] 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. ›

You can also find MASHAV in Facebook (“Israel Center for February 2009 International Cooperation”) and in Twitter (MASHAVisrael). Dear Editor,

In addition, we are developing a new digital newsletter, which will I am happy to receive Shalom include information on exciting innovations that we – and you, our Magazine on the Spring Holidays in graduates – are making in various fields. In this regard, if you have 2009. The magazine helps me have a new e-mail address, please forward it, enabling us to update our the new information about MCTC in database and provide you with this important information. Israel. I was lucky that the Ministry of Training and Education of Viet With warm regards, Nam sent me to the International AVNIT RIFKIN Course on Bilingual and Multilingual Editor Language for Early Childhood Education at MCTC in Haifa from Shalom Magazine November 15 to December 5, 2001, P.O.Box 34140 organized by the Ministry of Foreign Jerusalem 91341 Affairs, Israel. ISRAEL [email protected] Despite the many years passed, I have still memories from my teachers and staffs that helped me This letter was sent to Jacob Lomas, Manes) my deep thanks for the understand better and respect the Director of the Israel Meteorological interesting lectures, advice and the culture and history of Israel. I am Center: open approach to all participants, still able to use knowledge gained to January 2009 and for your readiness and patience solve problems in my work dealing to explain and hand over your Dear friends, with Bilingual Language Education knowledge and experience. I am back in the Czech Republic. for Ethnic Children. I would like to I was very pleased to meet you I would like to express my gratitude express my thanks to the Ministry of all. Let me express to Giora, to Mr. to the Department of International Foreign Affair of Israel, and to the Lomas as well as to other lecturers Cooperation MASHAV for allowing Ambassador in Viet Nam, who helped (Mr. Moshe Mandel, Mr. Collin, Mr. me to take part in the very good me so much.

38 3399 I take this opportunity to send my all of you and wishing to you and learhed’ for the development of our thanks to my teachers and staffs your family happy and prosperous region. We can use this forum to get in MCTC. I wish they are happiness future. in touch with one another and plan and health. Thank you very much developments of rural population Yours sincerely, for having still me in mind to who are lagging behind in every posting Shalom Magazine. Dr. N L Ulluvisheva aspect of human development. Best regards, Navy Hospital With Regards, Le Bich Ngoc Colombo Magessa, Boniface M. 6/6/31 Dang Van Ngu SRI LANKA Program Officer HaNoi [email protected] Tanzania Association of Foresters VIETNAM P.O.Box 1925 [email protected] Moshi-Kilimanjaro › TANZANIA [email protected]

› This letter was sent to NISPED – the Negev Institute for Strategies of › Peace and Development March 2009 February 2009 This letter was sent to Joyce Dear Editor, Dear friends, Fried at the Hebrew University Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Shalom! First of all I would like My experience in Israel last Environmental Quality Sciences: to thank once again the Israeli November was simply THE BEST, Ministry of Foreign Affair, MASHAV I HAVE EVER HAD! It was the April 2009 program and the Sackler Faculty perfect match between learning of Medicine, for providing me Dear Madam: by doing (theory and practice) and opportunity to participate the 58th I am glad to inform you that the lot of travels around Israel. I can’t Post graduate training program in research proposal I submitted put into words what an amazing emergency medicine. We were 22 during our training there was experience it had been for me, and participants from various countries. conducted and the results were now – almost two months later This was the best time of my life. presented in an agency, regional, – I can say unto you that I have You gave us the best opportunity to national and international research met with the Government officials benefit from your shared experience forum. This was also published i.e. the director of cooperatives and knowledge in various medicine in research journals. Said output in the Ministry of Cooperatives in specialties. I can’t forget kindness garnered awards and recognition in Tanzania Dr.Kashuriza, and we staff of the Sackler Faculty of many research forums. have arranged for a meeting with Medicine especially Prof. Maymon, I would like also to inform you cooperative stakeholders in Allison, Tal and Daphna. All the that I’m designated as Chairman Tanzania to see how better remembrances remain with me of the Department of Agriculture, Tanzania cooperatives can do for forever in my heart and mind. Graduate School and Research the economy of the country with Coordinator of the College of I would like to bring in your kind experience from Israel (the case Agriculture (Nueva Vizcaya State attention that after my return from study of Israel). University, Bayombong, Nueva Israel, I applied the knowledge It would give me a great pleasure Vizcaya). I am also the Alumni acquired in the course in my to meet Mr. Goldman and Dr. Paz Relations Officer of the said Hospital. I have organized a few again to share these thoughts with University. training programs in Trauma them here in Tanzania. You will I am taking this opportunity to Management for our staff.(eg. be updated every step before the extend my heartfelt gratitude to Nurses. Paramedics). As a military actual day of the workshop. I was MASHAV and HUJI for laying the doctor such training program was also thinking that maybe we can foundations that led me to what helpful to me and my country. initiate a reunion for all of NISPED I am today. The things that I have I would like to use this opportunity past graduates through the local learned in your International Course to extend my sincerest gratitude to Shalom Club to `practice what we did not only benefit me personally

40 EDITORIAL BOARD Youval Tal Ltd. Tal Youval : AN Haigud Society for of Technology Transfer 34140 P.O.Box Jerusalem 91341

: BUTBUL & ENFORD G BY ESIGN

IVON RIED ARHI A R D Avnit RifkinAvnit ERMAN : 41 F F D H AZAL FRA AIM ERSHON VI RAPHIC UBLISHED RODUCTION DITOR AACOV OYCE P Printed in Israel ISSN 0792-8262 Jerusalem Z Director CINADCO The Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation Ministry of Agriculture Bet Dagan M Director Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Center Training Haifa J Course Coordinator Division for External studies and of Agricultural,Faculty Food Environmental Quality Sciences Hebrew University of Jerusalem Rehovot E P G EDITORIAL BOARD H Deputy Director General Affairs Ministry of Foreign Head of MASHAV Jerusalem O Director Policy PlanningMASHAV and External Relations Department Jerusalem Y Deputy Director General of Technology Haigud Society for Transfer Jerusalem G Ambassador (retired) Affairs Israel Ministry of Foreign CHINA FRANCE Integration 91400-orsay January 2009 Department Guangxi Province › 9, Rue9, Aristide Briand The Agriculture [email protected] a Chairman Of Assistance The To André Lokisso lu’Epotu Of Demobilized Child Soldiers (Aidc) in this continent, to fight against different poverty and to promote initiatives of the sustainable development in Africa. and Shalom, regards Warm (AIDC) and myself have pleasure (AIDC) and myself have pleasure to wish you during this New Year the a good Health, the true Peace, true Happiness and Success in all and activities that you projects will initiate. Thank you very much for all that you have given us as in 2008. We values and acquired hope that 2009 will give us more opportunities to work together for and reintegration the rehabilitation with in difficulty, children of African a view to consolidate the peace This letter Edenwas sentKite, toDepartment, Director Beth- of Training MASHAV: Dear Ms. Kite, of the ASSISTANCE The Team OF TO THE INTEGRATION DEMOBILIZED CHILD SOLDIERS a lot of advanced acknowledge of acknowledge a lot of advanced drip irrigation, seeds, greenhouses, and processing products agricultural our want to send We storage, etc. Israeli to all the highly appreciation help through people who gave us your ministry. from us. We successfully learned learned successfully us. We from June 2009 THE PHILIPINES [email protected] e Associate Professor › College of Agriculture Nueva Vizcaya State University Nueva Vizcaya State Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya 3700 Bayombong, Nueva Dr. Bernardo S. Umaguing working so hard and so responsible, and so responsible, working so hard offering a high-level training to the requirements according relative departments and working relative staff of your country gave us a lot of support and assistance; Agriculture of Embassy of Israel to Agriculture China. During the training in Israel, the working staff of your ministry and Ezra Shoshani, the especially to Dr. Science and counsellor of MASHAV, members of the training delegation. our appreciation want to express We the leaders and to the Minister, concluded on June 26, 2009. On June 24, the Minister of Agriculture general of Guangxi met the director Department and the Agriculture 10-days training of Modern Israeli for Guangxi Technology Agriculture Department successfully Agriculture Under the support and concentration of the working staff the your ministry, and leaders from Dear Sirs, This letter Staff:was sent to CINADCO more power! May God bless you more always! yours, Respectfully general. attend to able be would I that hope I of your international again one and Thank you the future. courses in but most specially my students, my students, specially but most and my country in communities