eNEWSLETTER EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF IN TEL AVIV November-December 2018

Marking the International Day on Elimination of Violence against Women -25 November And Human Rights Day -10 December

“Not until the half of our population represented by women and girls can live free from fear, violence and everyday insecurity, can we truly say we live in a fair and equal world." — UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Violence against women and girls as one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. The Embassy of Slovenia dedicated the last two months to this important issue.

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik participated as a guest speaker at the special meeting of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality on 19 November 2018. The meeting marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and it began with opening of the photo exhibition 'Violence on Her Skin – to Live a Life Free of Violence', launched by the Embassy of Slovenia in Israel, and prepared by the Slovenian Police in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of Slovenia.

The session of the Committee, chaired by the Member of Knesset Aida Touma-Sliman, addressed the issue of violence against women in Israel and internationally, as Ambassadors of Finland, Canada, Ecuador, Ghana and Croatia also participated, as well as representatives of civil society in Israel. The session was broadcasted on TV.

LT:Ambassador of Slovenia Barbara Sušnik addressed the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality. RT: Slovenian exhibition in Knesset. Photos: VTA

1 Ambassador Barbara Sušnik addressed participants of the round table on Gender based Violence, organised by Ad'ar – Forum of Professionals to oppose the murder of women, in Haifa on 27 November 2018.

The Round table was held to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and 70 years of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Member of Knesset and Chairperson of the Committee on Status of Women and Gender Equality Aida Touma-Sliman also participated.

The roundtable was part of EU-funded project with Ad'ar.

Photo: VTA

Marking the International Day on Elimination of Violence against Women, Ambassador Ms. Barbara Sušnik opened the Slovenian exhibition 'Violence on Her Skin - To Live a Life Free of Violence' in Kibutz Tuval in Galilee, on 28 November, 2018 in cooperation with Northern Goals and its Chairman, Honorary Consul of Slovenia Mr. Eival Gilady.

The opening of the exhibition followed the annual meeting of workers and professionals of the program Horizon for teen girls and young women.

Northern Goals is dedicated to reducing social gaps and promoting equal opportunities in education and welfare in the geographic and social periphery of Israel. Chairman of Northern Goals and Honorary Consul of Slovenia Mr. Eival Gilady, Director of Horizon program Ms. Lina Hizbon Sabah, Ambassador Ms. Barbara Sušnik and Director General of Northern Goals Ms. Limor Lev; Photo: VTA

2 Northern Goals runs Early childhood programs Steps; Horizon programs for teen girls and young women at risk; Family Forward programs for families in poverty; Migdal Or programs for blind and visually impaired; and Kerem Centers providing treatment of sexually abused children and teens. Ambassador Sušnik visited also the Early Childhood Center in Druze village Yarka that participates in the program Steps of Ambassador Ms. Barbara Sušnik addressed the participants. Photo: VTA Northern Goals.

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik participated at the Every Woman Treaty for the eradication of violence against women and girls event on 27 November 2018 in Jerusalem, organized by El HaLev and Everywoman international organization. In her address, Ambassador Sušnik stressed that violence against women is a human rights violation and a form of gender discrimination. The CEO of El Halev Yudit Sidikman explained the importance of empowerment and self-defense in eradicating violence against women and girls. All the participants joined the Every Woman Treaty, calling for life free from all forms of violence for every women and girl, everywhere.

LT: Ambassador Barbara Sušnik stressed that violence against women is a human rights violation and a form of gender discrimination.(photo by El Halev), RT: The CEO of El HaLev Yudit Sidikman explained the importance of empowerment and self-defence in eradicating violence against women and girls.

3 El HaLev ("To the Heart”) is an Israeli non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through martial arts and self-defense training. The EU Study on the role of self-defense in the prevention of violence against women shows that self-defense is effective in preventing violence, and in terms of empowerment, self- defense is one of the few interventions that does not limit women's freedom, as it seeks to expand it.

The Embassy of Slovenia participated at the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women event in Lod on 13 December 2018. The opening of the Slovenian exhibition 'Violence on Her Skin – To live a life free of violence' was followed by speeches of the Ambassador Barbara Sušnik, President of PANIM Hadashot Heli Friedman and the Director of the Community Center Chicago in Lod Fatat Ezenati. Capoeira special exhibit against violence against women was performed by 'Haredim to Ketsev', and the Nazareth Fringe Theater's 'Playback' performance with the participation of film and television actor Hisham Sliman concluded the evening.

The opening of the Slovenian exhibition 'Violence on Her Skin – To live a life free of violence', with Ambassador of Slovenia Barbara Sušnik. Photos: VTA

Capoeira by 'Haredim to Ketsev', Photo: VTA Nazareth Fringe Theater's 'Playback' performance with Hisham Sliman, Photo: VTA

4 Women at local elections In 2018, local elections were held in Slovenia and in Israel. In both countries, there was increased number of women candidates, as well as elected women mayors and municipal councilor.

In Slovenia, local elections were held on 18 November and 2 December 2018. 212 mayors were elected, among them 22 women (10,5 %) – an increase after previous election (7,5 %). 1.110 women were elected to municipal or city council (33 %) – also an increase after previous election (31,8 %).

In Israel, local elections were held on 30 October and 13 November 2018. A record number of women candidates participated. Number of women council members in local authorities increased significantly and the number of women mayors almost doubled – 13 women were elected mayors, compared to only 5 in 2013.

Despite the positive trend in both countries, women remain to be underrepresented.

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik addressed the Conference organised by the Association of Women's Power and the Local Coalition 2018 at Tel Aviv University on 19 December 2018. The Conference offered an overview of the achievements of women in last Israeli local elections.

Ambassador Sušnik presented what Slovenia is doing in terms of gender equality and women empowerment, and more specifically the National Programme for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men as well as action plans for gender equality for municipalities, and stressed the importance of positive discrimination, including the legally binding gender quotas for national and local elections.

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik and Dr. Mazal Shaul, Executive Director of WePower.Photos: VTA

5 The exhibition Jewish Soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Army on the Isonzo front during the First World War in Galilee on 12 December, 2018

The exhibition Jewish Soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Army on the Isonzo front during the First World War was opened at the Western Galilee College in Akko on 12 December 2018, marking the centennial of the First World War. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik expressed, in her opening remarks, hope that the exhibition adds knowledge, information and insights into the history and life of the Jewish people in the territory of today's Slovenia.

Dr. Haim Sperber, Head of Multi-Disciplinary department, Dr. Boaz Cohen, Holocaust Studies Program Department Ambassador Barbara Sušnik and Dr. Petra Svoljšak at the opening of the exhibition. Photos: VTA

A lecture by Dr. Petra Svoljšak, Head of the Slovenian Milko Kos Historical Institute followed, in cooperation with Dr. Haim Sperber, Head of Multi-Disciplinary department, and Prof. Dr. Boaz Cohen, Holocaust Studies Program Department of the Western Galilee College followed.

The exhibition was prepared by the Milko Kos Historical Institute and the Center of Jewish Cultural Heritage Synagogue Maribor.

The event was sponsored by the Embassy of Slovenia and the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia.

6 EU Human Rights Day Events

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik participated at the roundtable on the humanitarian cases of Israeli citizens missing in Gaza, in the presence of their families, on 6th December 2018. The event was hosted by the EU Ambassador in Israel Emanuele Giaufret, as part of the acitvities marking the Human Rights Days.

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik attended the 7th Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference on 21 November 2018. Ministers of national infrastructure and energy, of public security and strategic affairs, of construction and housing and of justice participated as well as the UN Special Coordinator Nikolay Mladenov, Ambassadors and Members of Knesset. Geopolitical, strategic and security situation of Israel and the Middle East was discussed.

Ambassador Barbara Sušnik and Honorary Consul of Slovenia Eival Gilady at the Conference. Photo: VTA

7 Prof. Dr. Ada Yonath Nobel Laureate for Chemistry was a Special Guest in Ljubljana

On 30 November, 2018 Nobel laureate for chemistry Prof. Dr. Ada Yonath was a special guest at the Symposium of Janko Jamnik for young scientists at the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana.

Prof. Yonath's lecture focused on the reflection on the origin of life. She also spoke about specific - environmentally friendly antibiotics. She said: "In science, I always looked for answers to the challenges that I was interested in, and on my journey, I had great support from people who trusted in my curiosity and trusted my work. I was in Slovenia for the first time in Slovenia in 1986 and I am glad that today I can present my research work, which, despite the Nobel Prize, is still being upgraded in the field of structural biology. At this moment, my great research challenge is linked to the development of effective pathogenic-specific antibiotics that act selectively, individually and are environmentally friendly. "

On November 7, 2018 students and teachers from the II Gimnazija Maribor and the Hebrew Reali School in Haifa visited the Embassy. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik presented the work of the Slovenian Embassy in Israel, discussed bilateral relations and cooperation between Slovenia and Israel, and answered questions. The exchange program between the high schools of Maribor and Haifa started in 2012.

Photo: VTA

Slovenia offers scholarships for 27 months to Israeli university/college students and Ph.D. applicants in the academic year 2019-20. All the information and application forms are available on the CMEPIUS’s website: http://eng.cmepius.si/programmes/bilateral-scholarships/.

8 SLOVENIA

Slovenia among Lonely Planet's top destinations for 2019

Slovenia placed on Lonely Planet's list of top ten best-value destinations for 2019. Photo: STO

Lonely Planet one of the most influential portals for travellers, has released a list of top ten best-value destinations to visit next year, picking Slovenia as one of them.

Slovenia placed tenth on the list , with a comment that "in a single day, you can tour the Venetian-tinged seaside town of Piran, drive through dramatic mountain scenery and dine by the river in the heart of Ljubljana."

The travel authority also highlighted outdoor activities Slovenia offers to travellers, saying they were much more affordable than in other Alpine countries.

The country was also labelled a place of top-quality restaurants and wine shops as well as undiscovered small towns.

Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj have been singled out as places which offer enough secluded corners despite attracting masses in summer.

Slovenia placed on one of the four lists Lonely Planet compiled this year. Next to best- value destinations, it also picked top countries, top cities and top regions.

9 This Merry Day of Culture dedicated to the end of the European Year of Cultural Heritage

The National Gallery of Slovenia. Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

“This Merry Day of Culture” – the event by which we mark the birthday of Slovenia's national poet Prešeren – fell on Monday, 3 December this year and opened the doors of numerous cultural institutions across the country. More than 300 free events took place, including presentations, exhibitions, concerts, lectures, guided tours and workshops. This year’s This Merry Day of Culture was also dedicated to the end of the European Year of Cultural Heritage.

There were many events, from historical themes to modern art, music, science and literature, and events for children.

A closing ceremony at the end of the year of celebration of cultural heritage throughout Europe was held at the National Gallery. The programme featured students from the Ljubljana Conservatory of Music and Ballet, Ambassadors of the European Year of Cultural Heritage Rok Terkaj and Igor Saksida, and Ambassadors of Cultural and Arts Education in the European Year of Cultural Heritage Anja Štefan and Ivan Mitrevski and Žiga X Gombač, of the creative duo Mižavingavski. President of the National Assembly Dejan Židan was the keynote speaker. He stated that “this year placed cultural heritage at the centre of attention and highlighted it as a central component of cultural identity, cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue”.

Through “This Merry Day of Culture”, an initiative that is now in its 19th year, the Ministry of Culture and participating institutions aim to bring culture closer to those who rarely visit cultural institutions. In past years the events have been attended by around 30,000 visitors. Source:www.vlada.si

10 2018 marks 100 years since the passing of Ivan Cankar, one of the most celebrated Slovenian artists

Writer, playwright and poet, Ivan Cankar was a giant of Slovenian written word and a pioneer of modernism in Slovene literature.

As his work makes for an instrumental part of Slovenian cultural heritage, Cankarjev dom - CD Congress Centre, one of the largest cultural and congress centers in the country - proudly carries his name and recognizes Ivan Cankar’s enduring cultural legacy.

To honor the centenary of his passing CD Congress Center decided to commemorate this year in a special way - with a year-round program entitled »Festival Cankar on Cankar«. The Festival began with a large-scale theatre co-production (partnership with National theatre SNG Drama Ljubljana and MGL theatre) and concluded with an extensive overview exhibition opening in June 2018.

Source: https://www.total- slovenia-news.com

The show in the City Museum of Ljubljana chronicled the writer’s life and times, and the exhibition at the CD Gallery focused on the philosophical and literary influences on Cankar's work, which testify to the fact that he was a major Central European author whose work reflected well on the prevailing social, political and cultural trends of his time.

Cankar's Centenary nears end with weeklong celebration and anthology in 21 languages.

11 Slovenia remembering gymnastics legend Štukelj

A sculpture of Olympic gold medallist in gymnastics Leon Štukelj. Photo: Rasto Božič/STA The 120th anniversary of the birth of Leon Štukelj, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in artistic gymnastics and arguably the most successful Slovenian athlete of all time, was marked on Monday with a high-profile ceremony and an exhibition in his native town of Novo Mesto.

The ceremony remembering the six-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion at the emerging velodrome in Novo Mesto was broadcast live by national television and addressed by President .

It was preceded by the opening of an exhibition on Štukelj, who in addition to having been a top-class athlete was also a humanitarian. It was on display at the regional museum in Novo Mesto.

Štukelj was born in 1898 in Rudolfovo, the name of Novo Mesto at the time, and died in 1999 in Maribor as the oldest living Olympic gold medalist at the time, four days before his 101st birthday.

He was 26 when he won his first Olympic gold medal in Paris in 1924. He actually won two golds - in all-around and on the horizontal bar, which he followed up four years later in Amsterdam with the Olympic gold medal on the rings.

Štukelj also won bronze medals at the 1928 Olympics in all-around and in the team competition with Yugoslavia. He was 38 when he won his last Olympic medal in Berlin in 1936, finishing second on the rings. Source: www.vlada.si

12 The Festively Decorated Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia

Festive Ljubljana photo: Dunja Wedam

Ljubljana is ranked among the most attractive European capitals with its December illuminations and Christmas fair. Join the guided tour and experience the true festive atmosphere of the city.

Romantic and magical. This is the best description of Ljubljana during the days of December. You will take a walk through festively decorated Ljubljana with a guide, look for a unique gift at the holiday fair, treat yourself in a renowned pastry shop with mulled wine and honey cookie and get to know the story and concept of the decorations, the creative talent behind which has been, for many years, the renowned painter Zmago Modic. Put on a warm hat, a scarf and gloves and join us! https://www.visitljubljana.com

13 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Women Volleyball The 2019 CEV European Championship Women Volleyball game will be held in Israel on January 9 2019! Come and cheer! The Israel-Slovenia game will be held in Raanana on January 9, 2019 at "Metrowest" Hall, 3 Hapalmach St. Raanana and will be directly broadcasted at Israeli Sport Channel 5.

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The 2020 UEFA European Football Championship The European Qualifiers draw for UEFA EURO 2020 has set the groups to be played from March.

Israel and Slovenia will play against each other in group G: on March 21, 2019 in Israel, and on September 9, 2019 in Slovenia.

Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA

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IMTM 2019 Slovenia will be presented again at IMTM – the 25th INTERNATIONAL MEDITERRANEAN TOURISM MARKET, 12-13 FEB 2019 in TLV CONVENTION CENTER. Come and visit!

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14 WE WISH YOU A NICE HOLIDAY SEASON

AND

A HAPPY 2019!

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