DOCSLIB.ORG

Primary Implementing Organization Unistream

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Primary Implementing Organization Unistream Final Report Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Primary Implementing Organization Unistream 1 Description of Work Unistream’s Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today was an innovative, three-year program that brought together youth from seven socio-economically disadvantaged Arab and Jewish Israeli communities (Akko, Nazareth Ilit, Julis, Netanya, Afula, Sahknin, and Rahat) ages 14-18 to work together toward a mutual goal of developing, establishing and managing their own startup companies. The program employed a people to people approach to conflict mitigation, while supplying participants with tools for economic empowerment – Unistream’s unique mechanism to enacting long term and sustainable impact. The process included brainstorming and formulating an idea, establishing a company, assigning roles, planning and executing market research, writing a business plan and working to raise capital through activities in the Entrepreneurship Centers and peak regional and national events. This specially honed business pedagogy was tailored for maximum meaningful, people to people interaction that would in turn spark the desired change. In the process, participants gained mutual understanding, as evidenced through monitoring and evaluation, for members of the other group, based on shared goals; while at the same time learning valuable business skills and expanding their professional networks that created a conducive environment for socioeconomic advancement. In addition, participants received leadership and social entrepreneurship training, engaging their broader communities through volunteer initiatives extending the impact of the program to indirect beneficiaries. All activities took place under the guidance of Jewish and Arab mentors, which, as discussed below, added both the professional and business elements as well as further Jewish/Arab interaction. Unistream's proposed theory of change was that (1) Youth are agents of change - If we change how youth perceive one another through working together towards mutual goals (i.e. building a start-up and social ventures from scratch), then their prejudices will decrease. This will lead to a ripple effect, impacting their families, peers and communities, thus facilitating widespread social change. (2) Socio economic mobility builds peace - If we equip participants with a practical toolbox of business skills, networking with key leaders, ability to successfully interface with members of other groups, then we will promote the full inclusion of talented Arab- and Jewish-Israelis from the socio-economic periphery into Israeli society in general and the work force in particular. Building on this theory of change, Unistream proposed a two pronged approach to promote greater understanding between Jews and Arabs and inclusion in Israeli society and the business world. First, by introducing disadvantaged Arab and Jewish-Israeli youth to the world of business development, Unistream provided them with tangible skills, fostering cross-sector social integration between the different groups. Secondly, the program provided a rare opportunity for Arab and Jewish-Israeli youth to interact and work towards mutual goals. In Unistream, the appeal for joining lies in the economic development, hence both Jews and Arabs join the program, even if it is their deeply held prejudices. Thus Arab- and Jewish -Israeli 2 youth, who perhaps had been reluctant to even meet members of the other group, find themselves forging relationships that they never would have thought possible. By introducing disadvantaged Arab and Jewish-Israeli youth to the business world and entrepreneurial mindset, while providing them tangible skills, Unistream fostered positive cross-sector social integration between Arab and Jewish Israelis. Consequently, Unistream paved their way to becoming integrated members of Israeli society, committed to coexistence. Results Achieved 1. Objectives The primary objective of Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today was to raise tolerance between Arab and Jewish Israeli youth through professional interactions and cooperation, utilizing the business and entrepreneurial platforms. This included establishing a connection and working relationships between Israeli Jews and Arabs by utilizing these platforms to promote greater understanding, fostering economic opportunities for low-income Israeli Arab and Jewish youth, promoting inclusion in Israeli society in general, and in the workforce in particular, and improving accessibility of Israeli Jews and Arabs to each other, providing disadvantaged Israeli Arab and Jewish youth with knowledge and practical skills to improve their socio-economic status and engaging participants’ families / broader community through social entrepreneurship activities. In order to meet these objectives Unistream provided Israeli Jews and Arabs with opportunities to meet and interact in a supportive and encouraging environment which included all business and entrepreneurship activities at the seven Entrepreneurship Centers, Twinning activities, and peak regional and national events ranging from Business Hackathons, Entrepreneur of the Year Competitions, Innovation Days, to name just a few. The program also granted participants with access to a forum of over 4,700 business mentors that provided their knowledge, skills, expertise, and connections to help promote the socioeconomic mobility of the participants. The participants had the shared goal of business and social ventures which sparked their interest in engaging and working from different ethnic and religious backgrounds while also forging the next generation of socially conscious business leaders. As a result, there was a significant change in behavior and attitudes upon the completion of the program. This is numerically represented via indicators below. 2. Status of Indicators Targ Actual FY3 Baselin Target Result Target Actual et # level Indicator Code and Name Type e Value FY 1 FY1 FY2 FY2 FY3 3 1.6.2-01-cust: Percentage of targeted participants who agree that they have better understanding of the others that 65% 81% 70% 69% 75% 77% Goal / helped in changing their attitude 1 Objective positively MGT NA 1.6.2-12 Number of USG-funded events, trainings, or activities designed 853 1090 to build support for peace or 853 1108 853 978 23.3% 2 reconciliation on a mass scale OP/ PPR NA deviation 1.6.2-14 Number of people participating in USG-supported events, 284 trainings, or activities designed to build OP/ PPR 300 286 340 300 350 27.9% mass support for peace and deviation 3 reconciliation NA Number of joint initiatives developed and presented by Jewish Israeli and Custom NA 9 9 9 9 9 9 4 OI Arab Israeli youth. Number of startups presented at the end Custom NA 18 20 18 22 18 21 5 IR1 of the year competition % Of Participants who agree they increased their level of understanding Custom NA 65% 93% 70% 81% 75% %71 of the business and entrepreneurial 6 IR1 worlds Number of mixed Arab and Jewish Israeli youth events held on a Custom NA 13 13 13 13 13 12 7 IR2 regional/national level 3. Lessons Learned Transformation of the Organization The partnership with USAID has fundamentally transformed Unistream organizationally both in terms of its integration of CMM principles into the DNA of the organization as well as organizationally efficiency and sustainability as it relates to effectiveness and impact. In regards to the former, Unistream had minimal experience executing conflict mitigation programs. In fact, Jewish and Arab participants only interacted at Unistream’s mixed Entrepreneurship Centers, of which there were two at the time and did not have parity between the number of Jewish and Arab participants, and peak events where, in many cases the interactions where strictly that without any structured people to people relationship building. As a result, the program developed with USAID marked the first steps in helping 4 Unistream evolve into an organization that understands the values of shared society as an intrinsic part of fulfilling the organization’s mission. More concretely, Unistream began to expand conflict mitigation programming including developing, for the first time, people to people interaction between participants of Entrepreneurship Centers that were not mixed, harnessing business and entrepreneurship as a means to create a shared goal between Jews and Arabs thus cultivating meaningful relationships, engaging with mentors working with the “other,” developing intentions to expand these ideals in other programs implemented by the organization, etc. More importantly, a lightbulb went on and the mindset of Unistream began to change. When assessing the content and curriculum, Unistream began to look for opportunities to further the objectives and missions. While this might seem small, it fundamentally altered how Unistream addressed its vision and enforced the undeniable fact that creating a shared society between Jews and Arabs in Israel is a requirement to meet all of the organizational objectives. In addition, USAID has some of the most stringent standards of any organization worldwide that have enabled Unistream to become more efficient and sustainable. This included the structure of the approved and vetted CRM system, policies and procedures, audits both internal and external, etc. In parallel, Unistream significantly increased its monitoring and evaluation, beginning with this program but soon expanding beyond, in order to understand areas of strengths and weaknesses and how the programs are “working.” By addressing these areas
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hand in Hand Hand in Hand Integrated Education in Israel, Annual Creating a Better Future Re for Both Jews & Arabs Po R T
    Annual Report 2018-19 1 يدًا بيد יד ביד Hand in Hand Hand in Hand Integrated Education in Israel, Annual Creating a Better Future Re for Both Jews & Arabs po r t 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 2 Our Children “Deserve to Grow Up Not Being Afraid of Each Other ” Annual Report 2018-19 3 يدًا بيد יד ביד Hand in Hand Hand in Hand Israel’s Only Network of Integrated Schools for Jews & Arabs 1,950 Students 6 Locations Across Israel Pre-K through 12 Thousands of Impacted Families 4 Message from Our CEO Dear Friends, Last winter, we held a retreat that brought teachers, alumni, staff, and active parents together for the first time. It was an exhilarating event encapsulating what Hand in Hand is all about - bringing up the next generation, impacting society, building community, and institutionalizing equality. I was especially touched to hear the following words spoken by Sarah Sheikh, a Hand in Hand graduate, who shared: “The Hand in Hand education wired our brains differently – I am wired to assume that there will always be more than one angle to an issue, and I have the ability, for the rest of my life, to listen – even when it’s something that’s difficult to hear.” More than anything, the past year has been about growing. We operated six Hand in Hand schools with 1,835 students and community work reaching some 10,000 people. We laid the groundwork to build a seventh community and school, this time in Nazareth Illit. Our talented educators have been creating new multicultural syllabi, standardizing curricula teaching Arabic as a second language, and developing platforms to share Hand in Hand principles and learning with schools across the country.
    [Show full text]
  • SMALL TOWNS, BIG Opportunities
    feature by RACHMIEL DAYKIN SMALL TOWNS, BIGImpressions oPpORTUNITIES from an out-of-town kehillos tour of IMMANUEL, AFULA, HAR YONA and CARMIEL Photos by Sruli Glausiusz The Immanuel tour was directed by Eliezer Biller, community askan and developer. Har Yona-Belz and Toldos Avraham Yitzchak apartments and mosdos chinuch, including a Litvish cheder. NEWSMAGAZINE November 18, 2020 12 SMALL TOWNS, BIG oPpORTUNITIES Carmiel – Matan Nachliel shul. Givat HaMoreh – Kollel in the Ohel Moshe shul. 2 Kislev 5781 NEWSMAGAZINE 13 hen chareidi Jews from English-speaking countries settle in Eretz Yisrael, they tend to do so in the areas familiar to them, where there are relatively high concentrations of like-minded people speaking their native language. This has given rise to a “pale of settlement,” as it were, where one finds many English-speakers and sometimes even bubble-like American communities. This pale of settlement, for lack of a better name, has Yerushalayim at its center, and stretches out to Ramat Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Ye’arim (Telshe Stone), Modi’in Ilit and Beitar Ilit, each of which Wis within a half-hour drive from Yerushalayim. People who live there may visit Tzfas and Meron, weddings and other events may take them to Bnei Brak, but by and large, the community of English-speaking olim has been keeping to its familiar turf — Yerushalayim and its satellite chareidi towns. However, housing prices went up drastically over the past two decades, and many people can no longer afford to buy a house or apartment within the Yerushalayim orbit. Will this force many English-speaking olim to give up on their dream of settling in Eretz Yisrael? Since the high prices are a challenge to Israeli chareidim as well, a tour was recent- ly conducted by a group of Anglos (as English-speakers living in Eretz Yisrael are sometimes referred to), each serving as representatives for larger groups, to see how Israelis are coping.
    [Show full text]
  • Mahapach-Taghir
    Mahapach-Taghir Mahapach-Taghir: Creating Change through Solidarity between Marginalized Jewish and Arab Communities By Adi Dagan This essay is the latest in our series of ‘Kolot: Voices of Hope’ profiles of Israelis and Palestinians furthering the cause of peace and equality. Find all the profiles in this series here. Mahapach-Taghir (“change” in, respectively, Hebrew and Arabic) is a grassroots Jewish-Arab organization for social change, founded in 1998. Our overall goal is to promote a shared society in Israel with equal opportunities for all, by: (a) Building leadership in Arab and Jewish communities in the periphery – the areas outside Israel’s more urbanized central region – through empowerment and formal and informal education; (b) Promoting solidarity and equality between social groups; and (c) Facilitating participatory democracy, civil leadership, and more effective local governance. The marginalized communities where we work face some of the greatest barriers to quality education and jobs due to discriminatory policies. They are also systematically excluded from decision-making processes at the community, municipal, and national levels. Our organization has been working with Arab and Jewish communities for over 20 years. In that time, we have gained extensive experience – becoming part of the local communities, listening to their needs, and building leadership and Arab-Jewish partnership based on political values of democracy, equality, and human rights. The “Learning Communities” At the heart of Mahapach-Taghir’s work are the Learning Communities. The Learning Community is a holistic, inclusive, and intergenerational empowerment and educational model. It strives to provide equal educational opportunities to children and youth in disempowered marginalized neighborhoods, while encouraging the civic participation of local residents, parents, and college students.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Negev Gala Booklet
    THE HOPE For more than 100 years, JNF has built and repaired the State of Israel. Today our eyes look East and our hearts follow as we continue building Israel together with our friends, donors and partners. There has never been a challenge that we could not overcome. JEWISH NATIONAL FUND OF MANITOBA & SASKATCHEWAN AM YISRAEL CHAI NEGEVHONOURING GALA DR. TED LYONS O.C. MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 T:8.5" IT ALL BEGAN WITH MY DEAR FATHER, RUVIN LYONS Z"L, WHO INSPIRED ME TO BECOME Mazel Tov Teddy Lyons You have always committed your life to THE MAN I AM TODAY. your profession, your family, your friends, and to our community. AS MANY WINNIPEGGERS You are tenacious in your efforts to help. KNOW, HE WAS A BELOVED It’s harder to take a bone from a starving dog than OBSTETRICIAN FOR WELL OVER to have you, EVER, give up on anything. You are one in a million. 50 YEARS, RETIRING AT THE We are all so lucky there is a Teddy Lyons. AGE OF 82. The Bervin JNF Canada House, DAD ENCOURAGED ME TO DO at the site you have visited, THE RESEARCH IN ULTRA- and have generously personally supported, SOUND IN 1964 THAT LED ME TO and your choice of JCFS to receive a THE CAREER THAT CAPTURED portion of the money raised for this wonderful Gala, is itself a statement that embodies all of MY HEART. T:11" these things about you. But bottom line, I SHARE THIS HONOUR WITH YOU are the gift to our Jewish Community.
    [Show full text]
  • A Threshold Crossed Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution WATCH
    HUMAN RIGHTS A Threshold Crossed Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution WATCH A Threshold Crossed Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution Copyright © 2021 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-62313-900-1 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org APRIL 2021 ISBN: 978-1-62313-900-1 A Threshold Crossed Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution Map .................................................................................................................................. i Summary ......................................................................................................................... 2 Definitions of Apartheid and Persecution .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Israel 2020 Human Rights Report
    ISRAEL 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Israel is a multiparty parliamentary democracy. Although it has no constitution, its parliament, the unicameral 120-member Knesset, has enacted a series of “Basic Laws” that enumerate fundamental rights. Certain fundamental laws, orders, and regulations legally depend on the existence of a “state of emergency,” which has been in effect since 1948. Under the Basic Laws, the Knesset has the power to dissolve itself and mandate elections. On March 2, Israel held its third general election within a year, which resulted in a coalition government. On December 23, following the government’s failure to pass a budget, the Knesset dissolved itself, which paved the way for new elections scheduled for March 23, 2021. Under the authority of the prime minister, the Israeli Security Agency combats terrorism and espionage in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The national police, including the border police and the immigration police, are under the authority of the Ministry of Public Security. The Israeli Defense Forces are responsible for external security but also have some domestic security responsibilities and report to the Ministry of Defense. Israeli Security Agency forces operating in the West Bank fall under the Israeli Defense Forces for operations and operational debriefing. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security services. The Israeli military and civilian justice systems have on occasion found members of the security forces to have committed abuses. Significant human
    [Show full text]
  • Mid-Year Impact Report 2020
    Mid-Year Impact Report 2020 This mid-year update is written in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic with its global shut- downs and financial insecurities, and in the shadow of the regional threats of annexation of the Jordan Valley and the Palestinian Territories. The Oasis of Peace model of shared living created between Arabs and Jews based on peace, and mutual respect has sustained the community during both of these threats The Primary School (PS) Beginning in March, the children studied from home during the Corona virus lock-down and only returned to school in May. Closing again for another two weeks because of a positive test, the school re-opened with one week of the school year remaining. Children were greeted by the most fantastic sight - new playground equipment (see below), dedicated in loving memory of the Little Lori purple playground, whose earlier playground was home to 25 years of Primary School students! More equipment will be added this year. During the last three months registration for the new school year with 85 applicants for the 34 spaces for Kindergarten was completed. All available places for the two classes of each grade 1-6 have been filled. Several years of study have gone into the question of growing into a bilingual, multicultural middle school; the planning stage for this is likely to begin this year. Like families around the world, some parents were furloughed from work and had great difficulty paying for tuition and transportation. Parents who could afford to keep one child in school, spoke about needing to take the second child, or both, out.
    [Show full text]
  • On Municipalities 2020
    State of Israel State Comptroller and Ombudsman Audit Reports on Municipalities 2020 Jerusalem | July 2020 מספר קטלוגי 2020-001 ISSN 0793-1948 www.mevaker.gov.il עיצוב: Audit Reports on Municipalities 2020 Table of contents Foreword �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5 Chapter 1 | Horizontal Audits Use of Social Networks by Local Authorities and their Elected Officials ���������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Government Authorities Handling of the Coastal Cliff Erosion Processes ��������������������������������������������� 21 Measures to Increase Road Safety within the Jurisdictions of the Arab Population's Local Authorities ���������� 29 Activities of Local Authorities through Cultural, Youth and Sports Community Centers �������������������������������������������������������������� 37 Operation of Local Authorities through Municipal Non-Profit Associations ������������������������������������� 45 Selected Issues in the Water Infrastructure in Samaria ������������������ 53 Aspects of Conduct in the Local Authorities in Samaria ������������������ 59 Chapter 2 | Reports on Individual Municupalities The Municipality of Karmiel ������������������������������������������������������������� 67 The Municipality of Ramlay - Financial Status and Human Capital Management ����������������������������������������������������� 73 The Municipality of Ramla – Prevention of Spousal Violence and Treating its Victims������������������������������������ 81 ETHOS – The
    [Show full text]
  • The Lord Reigns, Also in These Chaotic Times
    ISRAEL A BoardMAGAZINE for Israel Publication Volume 24 No. 2 - September 2020 The Lord Reigns, also in These Chaotic Times Special Experiences in Jerusalem From the Editor Rev. A. Schot Colophon In this message from the editor, I would like Woerden, they wandered around lonely. to draw your attention to two subjects which Although they always kept in touch, they continually have the board’s attention. They missed the daily conversations. The situation are fi rstly the consequences of the corona- seemed to improve, but at present I do not virus for the workers and the work they do, dare to predict anything. and secondly, our attitude towards the Jewish All these things have a deep impact. The Israel Magazine is a publication of the Board for people in light of the recent events in The As board members and workers, we feel our Israel of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, for the proclamation of the gospel and diaconal aid. Netherlands. dependence on Him, who governs everything. ISSN 2589-8477 The coronavirus pandemic also affects the It is as you can read on the front page of this Editor-in-chief: work of our board. Rev. M.L. Dekker was Israel Magazine: “The Lord reigns, also in Rev. A. Schot going on leave to The Netherlands this these chaotic times.” Editors: summer. However, because of the alarming With respect to the second subject in The J. J. de Jong, J. M. Schot, L. Vogelaar coronavirus situation in Israel, he decided to Netherlands, several voices state it is high Children's pages: postpone his leave.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards Jewish-Arab Normalization in Israel. Israeli Arabs Want a More
    NO. 18 MARCH 2021 Introduction Towards Jewish-Arab Normalization in Israel Israeli Arabs Want a More Pragmatic Politics while Jewish Parties Court the Arab Vote Lidia Averbukh In the run-up to the 2021 elections to the Knesset, Jewish parties are actively courting the votes of Israeli Arabs, who constitute 17 per cent of all Israelis eligible to vote. At the same time, Israeli Arabs are increasingly emphasizing the need for a politics that will help improve their living circumstances and allow them greater political participation. While the Joint List alliance of Arab parties continues to follow its traditional opposi- tionist course and has come to terms with the decision of one of its members, the Islamic Movement (Ra’am), to split away, the election campaign has seen the emergence of new Arab politics, whose actors advocate a more pragmatic approach and are looking to cooperate with Jewish parties. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the identity of the Jewish state of Israel are playing a secondary role. The situation is similar in Israeli local politics, where Jews and Arabs are already engaged in interest-based cooperation. “For many, many years, the Arab public sought to intimidate them. For example, was outside the mainstream of leadership,” it arranged for cameras to be installed at Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the polling stations in Arab districts because during the 2021 election campaign. But of what it alleged was fraudulent voting. there was no reason for this, he commented, In 2015 Netanyahu warned about “Arabs adding that the elections should demon- going in droves to the polling stations”.
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish-Arab Clashes Within Israel
    Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues May 2021 May 2021 Escalations: Jewish-Arab Clashes Within Israel CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 LEAD UP TO EVENTS .............................................................................................................. 2 CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ...................................................................................................... 3 PUBLIC DISCOURSE ................................................................................................................ 6 VIBRANT CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONSE ........................................................................................ 8 ACTIONS AREAS................................................................................................................... 10 INTRODUCTION On May 10, a series of recent clashes that had been largely localized to East Jerusalem escalated into national and regional conflict. An Israeli police raid on the Al Aqsa Mosque, circulated widely on social media, along with escalations at the Damascus Gate and planned evictions in Sheikh Jarrah1, was the spark for Hamas rockets from Gaza, widespread demonstrations in Arab communities within Israel, and violent riots by Arab citizens in mixed cities and neighborhoods. The latter spiraled into some of the worst inter-ethnic violence between Jewish and Arab citizens in history, shaking Israeli society. The escalation within Israel began with
    [Show full text]
  • Infrastructure for Growth 2020 Government of Israel TABLE of CONTENTS
    Infrastructure for Growth 2020 Government of Israel TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction: Acting Director-General, Prime Minister’s Office, Ronen Peretz ............................................ 3 Reader’s Guide ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Summary of infrastructure projects for the years 2020-2024 Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety ................................................................................................ 8 Ministry of Energy ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Ministry of Water Resources ....................................................................................................................... 38 Ministry of Finance ..................................................................................................................................... 48 Ministry of Defense .................................................................................................................................... 50 Ministry of Health ...................................................................................................................................... 53 Ministry of Environmental Protection ......................................................................................................... 57 Ministry of Education ................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]