MASHAV - ISRAEL’S AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
CONTENTS
1 FROM THE DESK OF THE HEAD OF MASHAV DANIEL CARMON
3 THE GOLDA MEIR MOUNT CARMEL INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER CELEBRATES ITS JUBILEE! MAZAL RENFORD AND YVONNE LIPMAN
7 GREEN ECONOMY, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ERADICATION ILAN FLUSS
11 WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY INTRODUCING CHANGE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN
KUMASI, GHANA AVIVA BEN HEFER AND JANETTE HIRSCHMAN
15 EMPOWERING SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ETHIOPIA USAID-MASHAV-MOA JOINT TECHNICAL PROGRAM DR. AVIHAI ILAN
18 DEVELOPING THE HUMAN RESOURCE:
CONTENTSYOUNG LEADERS OF ECUADOR CAROLINA DÁVILA EGÜEZ AND MARCO DÁVILA ALARCÓN
21 UPGRADING EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURES AVNIT RIFKIN
26 THE PHILIPPINE-ISRAEL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL TRAINING SHAIKE STERN AND NAVOT HAKLAY
28 A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SLUM UPGRADING YOSSI OFFER
30 SHALOM CLUBS
32 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 - Transfer of Technology for Development. 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 professional unit to assist in the implementation of MASHAV activities. State of Israel II 1 F fter serving my country as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent A Representative at Israel’s Mission to the United Nations in New York ROM and returning back home, it is a great pleasure for me to address you in my new capacity as Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.
For over 53 years, MASHAV has been promoting projects all over the world THE focusing on the centrality of human resources enrichment and institutional capacity building in the area of development. It is very exciting to join this effort and become part of an extraordinary professional mechanism committed to
cooperation throughout the developing world. D
MASHAV is dedicated to providing developing countries with the best of Israel’s experience in development and planning. As a country which has gone ESK through the process of switching from an underdeveloped state in the 1950s to a recent membership in the OECD, we feel we can share with others our firsthand experience in development.
In recent years, Israel has intensified its commitment in international cooperation OF and its involvement in international development diplomacy. That is why in December 2007, during my tenure at the UN, Israel initiated a resolution on Agricultural Technology for Development which enjoyed an overwhelming support THE from the international community, in which the United Nations General Assembly H EAD
OF MASHAV
From left to right: Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Head of MASHAV; Mr. Sha Zukang, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms. Orit Noked; and Mr. Ilan Fluss Director of MASHAV’s Policy Planning and External Relations Department, during the joint Israel- UN DESA High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty
II 1 Ambassador Carmon (right) and Israel’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Oded Ben-Haim (center) visiting a Micro-propagation laboratory within the framework of MASHAV-USAID-MoARD cooperation program
called upon member states to make greater efforts to promote the development and transfer of appropriate technologies. Let me take this opportunity, this time as the Head of MASHAV, to reaffirm my commitment to continue expanding our technical cooperation programs in the coming years, for the benefit of those who need it most.
A large part of the world is facing severe long-term development challenges aggravated by the climate, economic, food and energy crises. Often, our attention is preoccupied with more immediate crises, and long-term challenges are put on the back-burner. Yet, for many countries, they are an urgent matter. We must therefore reach out to ensure social, economic and environmental sustainable development, joining the international community’s efforts to implement the Millennium Development Goals and providing a better livelihood for millions of people around the world. MASHAV will definitely be part of this effort!
Sincerely,
AMBASSADOR DANIEL CARMON
Head of MASHAV Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation
2 1961-2011 THE GOLDA MEIR MOUNT CARMEL INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER CELEBRATES ITS JUBILEE!
MAZAL RENFORD AND YVONNE LIPMAN
he year 2011 marked the 50th anniversary of the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International T Training Center (MCTC) – the first training extension operated by MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation. MCTC was designed for women specializing in topics of socio-economic advancement, and was one of the first training centers in the world in that area of expertise.
MCTC’s establishment was the result of the conviction of Golda Meir, then Foreign Minister of the young State of Israel, that her country, with all its recent experience as a new state, was in a particularly useful position to offer meaningful assistance to women leaders in the newly independent African and Asian states, to help them advance the situation of women in their countries.
Golda Meir had two strong women supporting her in her effort: Inga Thorsson, Ambassador of Sweden to Israel at that time, and Mina Ben-Zvi, a dynamic Israeli leader, who became MCTC’s Founding Director, a position she held for over 25 years. Indeed, Mina Ben-Zvi’s spirit, energy and personality are reflected in the reputation the Center holds today.
Thanks to the efforts of these three women, in May 1961, 66 women participants from African, Asian and Mediterranean countries met in Haifa, Israel, to discuss “The Role of Women in a Developing Society”. The seminar culminated in a signed declaration proposing “establishing a center in Israel … promoting future national and international activities for the advancement of women.” The Mount Carmel Training Center opened its doors in Haifa as the result of that six-week seminar.
Golda Meir (who later became Prime Minister of Israel, 1969-74) believed that women should “make the most of (themselves) by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”
True to Ms. Meir’s philosophy, MCTC encourages the development of women’s leadership, through its training activities. Biennial international conferences are held for women leaders around the world, and in May 2011, exactly 50 years after the Mount Carmel Center opened, it celebrated its the jubilee at its 27th biennial International Women Leaders’ Conference, under the auspices of MASHAV and in cooperation with its international partner, UNESCO.
The 2011 Conference topic was Science, Technology and Innovation: Education and Training for Women and Girls. It was intended for approximately 50 women leaders, active at senior policy-making level – ministers, MPs, professionals from the scientific and academic world, as well as senior officials working in NGOs and international and United Nations specialized agencies in developing and industrialized countries.
2 3 (From left to right) Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, UN Deputy Conference delegate Ms. Stella Tamang speaking Secretary-General; MCTC Director Mazal Renford and Irina on behalf of all past participants Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
can change for the better – that efforts to ensure equality Its objectives were to advance the situation of women in between women and men can produce real progress. All of science, technology, innovation, exploring: this makes you powerful examples for others.” the availability of scientific and technological education and training to women; H.E. Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz, Israel’s Minister of Science and Technology, brought congratulations to MCTC on behalf “the ideal of equality of educational opportunity without of the government of Israel. He noted that the only way regard to race, sex” (UNESCO’s Constitution, Article 2 (b), to bridge gaps is by talking, and stated that “the ultimate 1945); universal language is that of science and technology.” attaining gender parity for women working in the areas In brief 10-15 minute presentations, each distinguished of science, technology and innovations at all levels; speaker – from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, ways of strengthening collaboration among nations Cameroon, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, and international organizations through education and Honduras, Israel, Kosovo, Lithuania, the Maldives, Mexico, training, research and development in science and New Zealand, Romania, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri technology. Lanka and Vietnam, and representatives of the National In addition to knowledge-sharing on topics concerning Innovation Fund (Kazakhstan), Save the Children Norway women in science, technology, and innovation, the and UNECE – presented her case, offering persuasive Conference provided an excellent networking opportunity figures, examples or arguments emphasizing the lack of with relevant stakeholders in the developing world and equity in opportunities for the development of a scientific internationally. career for women, or inequality in access to decision- making sites in research institutions. Equally distinguished Two of the world’s highest-ranking women – the participants from Bhutan, El Salvador, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and the Deputy Myanmar, Nepal, the Palestinian Authority, Thailand and Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Asha-Rose UNESCO participated in the debate. The exchange of Migiro – took part in the Conference Opening Ceremony, experiences after three intense days of discussion was underlining the respect MCTC holds today in the world of unified in a new proposal which the participants named international development cooperation. the Declaration of Haifa.
Each of the two leaders paid tribute to the impact MCTC This comprehensive document incorporates a call to has had on the world of adult education in development. governments, international organizations and other Ms. Bokova described MCTC’s education as a “development stakeholders to ensure that the crucial and central multiplier”, which provided “individuals and societies with place of women and girls in education for science and the tools to respond to change and make the most of it”. technology is promoted, developed and expanded. Dr. Migiro recognized MCTC’s significant contribution to the Conference participants were given the responsibility of status of women in the developing world, saying that the disseminating the Declaration widely and implementing its participants in the Conference were: “proof that the world recommendations.
4 in 1978-9 as a recently qualified teacher and is now Founder and Principal of Bhrikuti School in Nepal, spoke on behalf of all past participants, stating that “the training I received at the Mount Carmel Center was so meaningful and appropriate…. You touched the hearts and minds of millions of women all over the world.”
Ms. Tamang’s moving words illustrated the point that over 35 years of advocacy and activism for women’s empowerment and gender equality has shown that, unless a deliberate effort is made at the very top of the policy-making chain to address gender inequalities, policy commitments in this area as they relate to education (whether formal or non-formal) do not lead to meaningful Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon, unveiling MCTC’s redistributions of knowledge, resources and wealth that commemorative stamp also benefit women and girls.
Sixteen years after the Beijing Declaration 11 years As part of the conference program the participants toured after the Dakar Framework for Action and 12 years after higher education facilities for science and technology the World Conference on Science, it is clear that many in Israel, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, obstacles still remain with regard to women’s and girls’ the University of Haifa, the Robert H. Smith Faculty access science and technology education and the ability to of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the Hebrew participate in it, take an active part in the definition and University, Rehovot Campus, and the Weizmann Institute of implementation of research and development agendas Science. In these institutions the international participants and fully benefit from the outputs of science and met charismatic women professors and researchers, who innovation. shared with them some of Israel’s breakthrough work in The MCTC/MASHAV/UNESCO 2011 International Women different fields and the ways in which Israeli girls and Leaders’ Conference provided a great opportunity for women are encouraged to follow a scientific and technical women in high positions to meet together to review this path. (See box: “Some Israeli Models”.) situation for women in science, technology and innovation Nor were festivities marking the occasion of MCTC’s across the entire world. In the words of Prof. Graziela Elena jubilee overlooked. In Jerusalem, a delightful reception Vâjial, Secretary of State and President of the National was held in honor of the delegates, at the Ministry of Anti-Doping Agency of Romania, and Dr. Meglena Foreign Affairs, celebrating the issue of a postage stamp Plugtschieva, Deputy Chairperson of the Commission for EU to mark 50 years of MCTC. This special ceremony was Affairs of the Bulgarian Parliament, it was “an opportunity held in the presence of Mr. Danny Ayalon, Deputy Foreign to establish some connections with the most powerful Minister, Mr. Rafi Barak, MFA Director-General, and Head women in the whole world” and share their experiences. of MASHAV, Ambassador Haim Divon. Conference delegate They were able to gain “a first-hand insight to the Israeli Ms. Stella Tamang, who attended an MCTC training activity centers of scientific thought and achievements.”
4 Israel
Israel has developed many programs over the years, both governmental and non-governmental, working towards the advancement of women in science and technology and encouraging the education of girls in these fields. These programs are implemented through Israeli universities,
high schools and the employment sector. They include: i Models Promoting Women in Science
The National Council for Advancement of The National Institute for Technological & Hi- Women in Science and Technology, established Tech Training (NITT), which has completed a in 2000. It coordinates the state, public, non- national survey drawing conclusions on how profit and private bodies that work towards the more girls and women would be attracted advancement of women in science, coordinates to studying and working in the sciences and all Israeli programs with the European Union technologies; and increases public awareness about the problems and issues women face with regard to working or studying sciences; The Forum for the Advancement of Women in Academia – a group of women professors from Israeli research universities and colleges, ORT Young Women for the 21st Century, created who have the goal of placing gender equality by Israel’s first certified female pilot, Yael Rom, a at the forefront of university agendas by program which improves teaching and learning creating programs that support women in methods among teachers and pupils; graduate studies and by lobbying for increased participation of women in decision-making positions in higher institutions of education; GES project: Girls to Engineering Studies, a program designed to increase the level and number of girls who study mathematics and Day care for female graduate students and physics in high school, with the goal of reaching more flexible working hours for mothers in the required level to enter engineering studies many institutions of academic studies and in university; higher learning;
The Future Generation of Hi-Tech, an initiative A variety of scholarship programs for women of the Forum of Female Industrialists of the undergraduates and graduates within the Manufacturers’ Association. Its goals are Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport, the to encourage women to choose a career in Ministry of Science and Technology, the science and technology and to encourage Weizmann Institute of Science and the Technion, students, especially girls, to study science and as the Conference participants were able to see & technology in high school; and hear for themselves on their visits to these
institutes of higher education; Technology
Israel Women’s Network, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, with programs that The inspection of all school textbooks by the advance the standing of women and fight Ministry of Education for gender stereotyping gender stereotypes in the education system; since 2009.
Through these different programs, Israel has the experience of promoting women in science and technology, understanding that the role of women in science, technology and innovation is imperative for all aspects of development.
6 GREEN ECONOMY, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ERADICATION
ILAN FLUSS
THEWRITERIS DIRECTOR OF MASHAV’S POLICY PLANNINGAND EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
he United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) will convene T in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012. As mandated by UN General Assembly Resolution 64/236, the principal objective of the Conference is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development; to assess progress made to date and consider remaining gaps in the implementation of agreed commitments; and to address new and emerging challenges. The Conference will also consider two important themes: Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication, and the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development.
With green economy now firmly established on the international policy agenda, it is important to review and clarify the linkages between a green economy and sustainable development.
Sustainable development is the management and conservation of natural resources and the introduction of technological and institutional change to ensure meeting basic human needs for present and future generations. It emphasizes a holistic, equitable and far-sighted approach to decision-making at all levels and rests on integration and a balanced consideration of social, economic and environmental goals and objectives in both public and private decision-making. Such sustainable development (in the agricultural, forestry and fisheries sectors) conserves land, water, plant and animal genetic resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable.
The concept of green economy focuses primarily on the intersection between environment and economy. Although the concept has no internationally agreed definition, all stakeholders concur with the fact that green economy implies “doing more/better with less.” The main hypothesis is that the environmental and social goals of a green economy can also generate increases in income, growth and enhanced well-being. The concept of a green economy does not replace sustainable development but is a means to achieve sustainability, not only ecologically and economically, but also socially.
The pursuit of economic growth and the drive towards ever-increasing consumption has had devastating impacts on the global environment, exploiting natural resources with little regard for environmental impact, and valuing short-term financial gains over the long-term benefits of preserving some of our most precious and valuable ecosystems. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment concludes that in the past 50 years, “human beings have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period in human history.” The report states that the level of ecosystem degradation, if left unchecked, poses a major threat to the wellbeing of future generations.
6 7 There are a number of options for reversing and reducing for nutrition and livelihood support. Promoting more ecosystem degradation, and what they all have in common effective, sustainable agricultural practices among poor is an understanding that our global economic system needs farmers is even more urgent today given the need to adapt to value and invest in the environment and ecosystem to climate change, which can have devastating effects on services upon which all human and economic activity national efforts to ensure food security. The recognition ultimately depends. In other words, we need to build a of the environment and ecosystems as “stakeholders” “green economy.” in our economic system is an underlying principle of the green economy concept, as is the need to develop ost developing countries, and certainly the majority of M knowledge-based agriculture that explicitly recognizes the their populations, depend directly on natural resources. contributions of ecosystem services. The livelihoods of many of the world’s rural poor are also intricately linked with exploiting fragile environments and Increasing depletion of natural resources is an indication ecosystems. According to the World Bank, well over 600 that we are irrevocably damaging ecosystems too rapidly, million of the rural poor currently live on lands prone to and the consequence is that current and future economic degradation and water stress, and in upland areas, forest welfare is affected. As in the case of climate change, the systems and drylands that are vulnerable to climatic and link between ecological deterioration and poverty is well- ecological disruptions. established for some of the most critical environmental and energy problems. For example, for the world’s poor, global s the single largest sector using 60 percent of world’s A water scarcity manifests itself as a water poverty problem. ecosystems and providing livelihoods for 40 percent One in five people in the developing world lacks access of today’s global population, the food and agriculture to sufficient clean water, and about half the developing sector is critical to greening the economy. Greening the world’s population, 2.6 billion people, do not have access economy with agriculture implies increasing food security to basic sanitation. (in terms of availability, access, stability and utilization) while minimizing the use of natural resources, achieving More than 660 million of the people without sanitation improved efficiencies through the introduction of new live on less than US$2 a day, and more than 385 million agricultural technologies throughout the food value chain. on less than US$1 a day (UNDP 2006). Billions of people in developing countries have no access to modern energy services. Among the energy poor are 2.4 billion people who ECOLOGICAL SCARCITY AND POVERTY rely on traditional biomass fuels for cooking and heating, including 89% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa. Linking sustainable agriculture to poverty eradication is crucial to ensuring food security and enhancing Thus, finding ways to protect global ecosystems, reduce livelihoods, while restoring, safeguarding and the risks of global climate change, improve energy security developing natural capital. and simultaneously improve the livelihoods of the poor are Seventy-five per cent of important challenges in the transition to a green economy, the world’s poor still live especially for developing countries. in rural areas and are The challenge for policy-makers is to meet increasing dependent on agriculture demands for food and resources while minimizing environmental and social pressure. A major shift in agricultural policies and practices is needed if a growing world population is to be fed without over-exploiting scarce natural resources or further damaging the environment.
8 MASHAV’S APPROACH TO Over 70 delegates from 28 countries including SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL representatives from WFP and the FAO participated in the DEVELOPMENT event. The purpose of this high-level meeting was to discuss the central role that green and sustainable agriculture Closely connected to the international agenda, MASHAV’s can play in stimulating economic growth and combating agricultural programming deals with the introduction poverty through the sharing of know-how, best practices of modern technologies and agro-technical methods and lessons learned. Policy options should provide the designed to increase the levels, sustainability and quality individual (including small) farmer with incentives to of agricultural production to ensure food security. It also apply sustainable practices to improve productivity, concentrates on introducing effective support systems to income and well-being, while maintaining healthy enhance the economic viability of agriculture in areas ecosystems. The focus of the meeting was on agricultural such as marketing, storage and transport, the supply of development under conditions of limited natural resources agricultural inputs, granting of credit and finance to the (including water and land), and to climatic instability. agricultural sector and upgrading the work of extension Consideration was also given to the development of policies, services. financial mechanisms and bio-physical management systems aimed at increasing production efficiency, and MASHAV’s approach to agricultural development is based to the level and stability of yields under such adverse on harnessing science, technology and extension. Applied conditions. research, the introduction of innovative technologies and the promotion of agricultural crop intensification and The opening statement was delivered by Mr. Sha Zukang, diversification are key elements in attaining sustainable UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social food security. The challenge is to adapt many of the Affairs, who stated that: “Israel has proven to be a leader known improvements in the use of agricultural practices in agricultural technology for development, practicing and technologies to make them accessible to the reality innovation and implementing sustainable solutions for and needs of the smallholder farmers in rural areas, agricultural development, food security, and climate while taking into account the different stakeholders in the change adaptation and mitigation. They have informed agricultural system (farmers, state and private sector). and advised the Commission on Sustainable Development on matters related to integrated water management, drylands, and sustainable crop production. We have much to learn from the Israeli agricultural experience. TOWARDS RIO+20 I wish to commend the in-country experts here today As part of the preparations for participating in the Rio+20 for the dedication they have shown in organizing and Conference, the Government of Israel and the Secretariat of contributing to this ambitious and interesting program. the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank (Rio+20) decided to jointly organize a High Level Expert the Israeli Government for your continued leadership, Group Meeting on “Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate commitment, and generosity. I look forward to our Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty,” held in Israel in continued collaboration in the coming months as we October 2011 (See Box). prepare for Rio+20.”
8 9 INTERNATIONAL HIGH LEVEL EXPERT GROUP MEETING ON USING GREEN AGRICULTURE TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ERADICATE POVERTY
The Government of Israel and the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) co-organized this high-level international meeting to be held in Israel in October 2011, which will constitute a contribution to the preparations Tfor Rio+20, exploring how sustainable agriculture can contribute to a green economy, addressing the importance of green agriculture in ensuring food security, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and stimulating economic growth in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.
TOPICS FOR PLENARY AND ROUNDTABLES INCLUDE AMONG OTHERS:
Mobilizing the farmer (large- and small-scale) to adopt economically viable food production methods while making efficient use of natural resources;
Macro-economic policies for green agriculture;
Agricultural food production and the environment;
Identifying stakeholders in agriculture.
The program included a field trip to showcase Israeli best practices in different types of management of intensive agriculture to comply with sustainability on one hand Tand economically viable food production on the other. The conclusions of the Expert Group Meeting were summarized in an outcome document written collectively by the participants and presented as a contribution of the group to the Rio+20 preparatory process and will be incorporated in the compilation document to be submitted to the second Intersessional Meeting in December 2011. Outcomes of the Expert Group Meeting will also be introduced during the Rio+20 Conference through a side event.
10 WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S A WAY INTRODUCING CHANGE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN
KUMASI, GHANA
AVIVA BEN HEFER AND JANETTE HIRSCHMAN
AVIVA BEN HEFER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN EDUCATION FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS, FIRST AS A TEACHER AND THEN AS A SUPERVISOR, ADVISOR FOR BUILDING CURRICULA IN EXPERIMENTAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND TRAINING TEACHERS TO WORK IN TEAMS. HER SPECIALTY IS BUILDING PROGRAMS FOR DEVELOPING THINKING SKILLS. SHE HAS CONDUCTED TRAINING COURSES IN ECD IN MYANMAR AND THAILAND AND HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT OF UPGRADING ECD IN KUMASI, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF MASHAV. SHE HAS BEEN THE
MAIN TRAINER IN THE PROJECT.
JANETTE HIRSCHMANN STARTED HER CAREER IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND WAS THE DIRECTOR OF MICHA, A CENTER FOR DEAF PRESCHOOLERS AND THEIR PARENTS. SHE HAS BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF ECD TRAINING COURSES AT MCTC FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS. THIS INVOLVED CHOOSING THE TOPICS, PLANNING THE PROGRAMS, COORDINATING THE TRAINING AND TEACHING IN ISRAEL, ASIA, AFRICA, THE CARIBBEAN AND FIJI. SHE HAS LED THE PROJECT IN KUMASI AND HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE PARTNER IN THE TRAINING OF THE TRAINERS.
ducation is fundamental to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals E (MDGs) and national development because it is necessary both for the improvement of living standards and for economic and technological advancement. The MDGs relating to education are MDG 2, the purpose of which is to achieve universal primary education, and MDG 3, which aims to eliminate gender disparity at all education levels by 2015.
In May 2003, the Ministry of Education and Sport in Ghana came out with an Education Strategy Plan (ESP) for 2003-2015. The ESP serves as the framework by which Ghana will meet its commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in Education. Before 2003, preschool education for children aged 4-6 years was not part of the formal system in Ghana. It was eventually included as a result of the recommendations made by the President’s Committee on Review of Education Reforms (October 2002), where the importance and the far-reaching effects of early childhood development were clearly outlined.
In early 2006 the Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI) chose Kumasi as a Millennium City, and has since then been conducting research aimed at identifying the services, resources and infrastructure needed for the people of Kumasi to attain the MDGs. Within this framework, a successful partnership was forged between MCI-MASHAV and the Kumasi Metropolitan Authorities.
MCI, together with Early Childhood Education specialists from the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC), one of MASHAV’s core professional training institutes, cooperated to develop a system of early childhood education with the goal of implementing it in all public schools in Kumasi and its surroundings.
10 11 THE AIMS OF THE PROGRAM
The program was based on the following three aspects:
Empowerment of the teachers to believe that ECD is the basis of further education and that their role is vital in this process. Their main role as kindergarten teachers is to mediate between the child and the world around him.
Creating a rich and stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environment in the kindergarten, bringing the outside world into the kindergarten for the child to experience.
Building a flexible curriculum and daily schedule based on the child’s world and providing opportunities for developing creativity and thinking skills in the child.
THE REALITY AS WE SAW IT
The project began in 2008 by visiting and observing the kindergartens in Kumasi and mapping out the situation. The findings showed small, dark classrooms with up to 100 children crowded around tables, sitting on chairs of different heights. The children all faced the teacher, who stood in front of them, holding a long cane and pointing it at English letters on the blackboard. The children were expected to repeat, again and again, what the teacher said in English, since that was the language of instruction. There were no books in the classroom suitable to their culture, and stories were never read to them. The teachers, who had been trained as primary school teachers, were using the same methodology that they had learned at school, and were now emulating in the kindergarten.
THE KUMASI EDUCATION SYSTEM AND MCTC INTRODUCE A NEW CONCEPT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Following a meeting with the Metro Director of Education in Kumasi and the MCI Project Manager in Ghana, it was decided that the first step of the program would be to bring the Metro Director and her staff of four early childhood development coordinators to Israel to see and learn a different way of organizing ECD. A two-year program was planned by the Metro Director, her team and the MCTC staff for a core group of teachers who would become
12 teacher trainers in the future. The Director and her staff decided. upon their return from Israel, that they would choose five schools, with their 25 kindergarten teachers to be the pilot group. A first Israeli team went to Kumasi to train these kindergarten teachers.
PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
The first realization was that children learn through play and experience. The main emphasis was on building a new learning environment because we believe that a change of environment will help to change the approach to the new ideas. The new environment included activity corners for socio-dramatic play, a book corner, a corner for creative activities, blocks and table games, at different levels and which could be used in different teaching situations. RESULTS AND OUTCOME This was done by actually building a kindergarten environment in the classroom. In order to turn theory The Ghanaian professional team, the Metro Director and into reality, the teachers had to experience playing by her staff are partners every step of the way. They share in themselves in the different corners. This experience was the planning, supervision, implementation and evaluation very important to them and they were very happy and of this unique program. In the time since the program enthusiastic throughout. started, great changes have been seen in the kindergartens. The number of children in each class has been reduced, and In addition to this, the number of children in the class there is more space in the classroom, the arrangement is had to be reduced. The teachers identified the need to more flexible and the learning environment has changed write books presenting their own folk tales and cultural to include relevant “talking walls”, display of the children’s heritage, and how to read them to the children. When the work and activity centers. Reading books has become teachers agreed to change the arrangement of the rooms part of the daily schedule, and at least twice a week the they enthusiastically collected toys and other materials for room is organized for free play. The kindergarten reflects the children to play with. the integrative program of all the domains, allowing the The professional program included the dispatch of Israeli children to learn through active participation, playing in expert teams to Kumasi to train the group of kindergarten small groups, learning to return toys and materials to their teachers for at least two weeks every few months. In place. between, the ECD coordinators took it upon themselves The children enter the classroom in a creative and to support the kindergarten teachers in their efforts to active manner, as a way of awakening expectations and implement what they had learned. excitement, and they are greeted by the teacher. The role Each training session was based on the previous of the teacher has changed from being a disciplinarian knowledge learned and implemented in the kindergartens, to being less authoritative, and more at the children’s and following the teachers’ requests to solve any problems level. Teachers work with the children in small groups, ask they were having in implementing what they had learned. questions and listen to their answers rather than expecting them to learn only through repetition. They have also The basic philosophy was that children learn through play discovered that they can make table games such as lotto and experience, therefore all the training was experiential, and “route games” at different levels, and have learned providing many opportunities for the teachers to play. In all the joy of constructing jigsaw puzzles from old calendar aspects of the workshop, theory was learned from the active pictures. The role of the classroom attendant has also involvement of the teachers. This training model observes changed from a cleaning woman to a partner in running needs in the field, prioritizing the culture and traditions, the daily program. and emphasizing the need to examine the underlying “why” and “how” questions of implementing the existing It was decided to ask Kumasi’s St. Louis Teacher Training Ghanaian ECD curriculum. College’s ECD lecturers to act as supervisors and support
12 13 the teachers. They participated in three of the Kumasi workshops, together with the kindergarten teachers. At a later stage, ten teacher trainers, including the Principal and Deputy Principal of the St. Louis Teacher Training College, came to Israel for a specially designed workshop, where they were exposed to different ECD frameworks. The third step was a one-week workshop in the College for all the ECD lecturers as well as for 75 ECD students who had completed their formal studies and were going to practice teaching in the kindergartens.
We understood that it was very important to work together with the staff of the Training College in order to increase the number of trained teachers in the field, who had gone through the process of change.
The project has been expanded to include five more schools in the Kumasi area, with a further 25 kindergarten teachers, each of whom has been adopted by one of the more experienced teachers in the pilot project. Fifty kindergarten teachers in Kumasi are in the process of change.
FUTURE PLANNING
In 2011 the first group of graduates of our kindergartens entered first grade. In a small survey done with the first- grade teachers, the information showed that the graduates of the project came to school better prepared and with more confidence. The professional team and the kindergarten teachers are so proud of their achievements. They are motivated and determined to change their way of teaching and provide a good start in life for their pupils. They feel that they are pioneers, and are becoming proficient so that they can spread their knowledge.
MCI has recently declared Accra as its newest Millennium City. Future planning includes replicating in Accra the MASHAV-MCI’s ECD program as being presently implemented in Kumasi; with the ultimate goal of expanding the model to the whole country following a national education strategy. Change is a long and difficult process, but, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
14 EMPOWERING SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ETHIOPIA
USAID-MASHAV-MOA JOINT TECHNICAL PROGRAM
DR. AVIHAI ILAN
THEWRITERISA MASHAV AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERT CURRENTLY STATIONED IN ETHIOPIA.HEHOLDSA PHD IN BOTANY FROM THE UNIVERSITYOF TENNESSEE USA (HAVING PREVIOUSLY STUDIED HORTICULTURE AND PLANT TISSUE CULTURE AT THE HEBREW UNIVERSITYOF JERUSALEM) ANDHASVASTEXPERIENCEINPRODUCTION, RESEARCH,
MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ROLES IN THE AREAS OF PLANT PROPAGATION
.ANDBIOTECHNOLOGY, BOTHIN ISRAEL AND OVERSEAS
he agricultural sector has a significant part in developing countries’ economy. T About 75 percent of the world’s poor and hungry people live in rural areas and most of them depend directly or indirectly on agriculture. Ninety-six per cent of the world’s farmers live in developing countries, where agriculture provides the main source of income for some 2.5 billion people. Agricultural employees represent over 70 percent of the labor force in developing countries, compared to 30 percent in middle-income countries and only 4 percent in developed countries.
In developing countries, the majority of the agricultural sector consists of small farms. Population growth, increased competition and depletion of land and water sources in recent years has caused increased poverty and triggered migration from villages to cities.
The attempts made by the local governments and the international community to improve small farmers’ yield, income and standards of living may face the following obstacles:
The allocated resources (subsidies, loans, etc.) do not reach the desired beneficiaries; Improper use of the resources (money and equipment) by the farmers; Inadequate agronomic extension services. Several aspects, including plant material, water and soil conditions, the quality of fertilizers, post-harvest treatments and marketing of products, are barely addressed.
Addressing the above-mentioned obstacles should achieve the following targets:
Increased percentage of empowered small farmers; Better agricultural use of increased acreage; Increased income for the farmers and improved living standards; Correct use of fertilizers, pesticides, etc. and prevention of waste and environmental damage.
Significant change in farmers’ income in rural areas of developing countries requires a comprehensive approach. The solution for smallholders’ agriculture in developing countries should address all the aspects of agriculture including recruitment and allocation of finance,
14 15 Solutions for horticultural crops in small farms: Focusing on the development of horticultural plant propagation through nursery cultivation and tissue culture propagation.
(Pictures: Dr. Avihai Ilan)
16 17 soil and irrigation systems, better crops and plant material vegetative propagation methods: modern nursery and supply, agro-techniques, agricultural extension, post- micro-propagation. harvesting and marketing. The current international aid to The program’s nurseries produce high-yielding and developing countries by international agencies, national aid marketable international varieties of avocado and mango. organizations and NGOs address separately many of the Various rootstocks are introduced for adaptation to different agricultural aspects but in a non-coordinated manner. soil and water conditions and for tolerance to soil-borne Effective tackling of the wide scope of agricultural aspects diseases. The nursery production relies on advanced can be achieved by collaboration between the various aid and yet sustainable irrigation and fertilizer application organizations. methods, integrated pest management, quality control and production planning. The program upgrades small research laboratories for tissue culture into production on a THE USAID-MASHAV-MOA semi-commercial scale by the application of quality control JOINT TECHNICAL PROGRAM methods, production planning and production follow-up.
In order to face this smallholders’ crisis, local governments The USAID-MASHAV-MoA Joint Technical Program in cooperation with the international community are demonstrates a unique and successful approach for the investing in promoting programs to assist and empower empowerment of small farmers through the development of smallholder farmers. Ethiopia’s rural development policy horticultural crops production, focusing on the development and strategies prioritize the transformation of smallholder of plant propagation in Ethiopia through nursery cultivation subsistence agriculture to market-orientated production. and tissue culture propagation.
Within this framework, a successful partnership called This goal is achieved by introducing and supplying The Joint Technical Program in Ethiopia was created by improved facilities, equipment and materials as well as three partners: MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International intensive capacity building activities. The joint program Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; demonstrates large-scale plant production with timely USAID – The United States Agency for International production planning and quality control inspections. Development; and MoA – The Ministry of Agriculture of hrough collaboration with other international and Ethiopia. T national aid agencies the Joint Technical Program’s scope The smallholders’ agriculture in Ethiopia is focused on will increase to cover additional aspects of fruit tree and supplying the basic needs through rain-fed cultivation of vegetable cultivation, enabling empowerment of small- field crops such as wheat, maize, sorghum and teff. These holders through addressing horticultural production in a crops are susceptible to weather conditions and various coordinated and resource-saving manner, and contribute types of abiotic stress, and the cultivation of a single rain- to achieving food security and income generation, as fed crop is risky. well as diversification of the diet. In its recent meeting, the project’s Steering Committee decided to widen the The addition of fruits and vegetables crops to the scope of the project’s support to Ethiopian horticulture smallholders’ production basket can greatly improve and to establish an extension system for 1,000 smallholder their economic situation and avoid the risks involved in fruit-tree growers. The aim is to train extension personnel monoculture. It can be seen as a kind of “insurance policy” to guide and train the target farmers in the future. Special to the small farmer. Even without transition to irrigated attention and training will be given to women and crops, fruits and vegetables such as avocado, citrus, potato, youth groups. sweet potato, enset, cassava and mango can provide additional nutrition as well as additional source of income. Successful cultivation of fruit trees should address various aspects such as soil preparation, plant material, irrigation and fertilizer application, plant protection, harvesting and post-harvesting, and marketing.
The USAID-MASHAV-MoA Joint Technical Program in Ethiopia addresses the first and crucial step in horticulture, i.e. the supply of elite plant material via advanced
16 17 DEVELOPING THE HUMAN RESOURCE: YOUNG LEADERS OF ECUADOR
CAROLINA DÁVILA EGÜEZ AND MARCO DÁVILA ALARCÓN
o sum up the experiences of a group of 108 youngsters who had the opportunity to T travel to the other end of the world, to study and in some cases reorient their beliefs, values, convictions and even their life’s work, is a complex task!
Four years ago, as an initiative of the Fundación Liceo Internacional and the Ministry of Education we presented to the Israeli Embassy in Ecuador and the Aharon Ofri International Training Center a small project prepared by two Ofri Center alumni - Former Minister of Education Raúl Vallejo and Marco Dávila. This led to realization of the dream of 20 youngsters from poor communities in the central provinces of the Sierra: To take part in a process for training young leaders from the provinces of Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Bolívar.
Following a joint evaluation of the work carried out by this first group of youngsters, and the impact of their activities when they returned to their communities, it was decided to continue the project and extend it to other cities in the country.
Currently, the proposal has been channeled towards interculturality, and this is the direction that we will maintain in future years, with the inclusion of 50% of participants from our indigenous peoples.
During these four years of cooperation, the State of Israel has always encouraged us to continue the project. Something that began as a proposal to be implemented in three provinces has become a large national project with transcendent influence in the youngsters’ cities of origin.
The course, held at the Ofri Center in the outskirts of Jerusalem, lasts 28 days, and offers a curriculum which we are adapting year-by-year to our country’s needs. The basic subjects cover, inter alia, young leadership, sustainable development, conflict resolution, prevention of risky sexual attitudes, consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, HIV-AIDS, interculturality, and development of community projects.
The academic structure of the course is accompanied by a series of educational and sightseeing visits, offering the youngsters the possibility of learning about the history, culture, and lifestyle of the Israeli people. This allows the participants to reflect, compare, and learn about our own country. Although Ecuador, unlike Israel, has rich natural resources, some of the most abundant water resources in the world, oil production, rich biodiversity and fertile lands, it faces great developmental challenges.
To tackle development challenges, it becomes clear that the main resource that peoples must foster is the human resource, since only through education will we be able to utilize what we have, taking into consideration our future generations.
In these four years we have trained 108 young people from the provinces of Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolívar, Cañar, Azuay, Loja, Zamora, Morona, Galápagos, Manabí and el Oro.
18 19 The youngsters are selected in each of their localities by NGOs, local governments, associations, youth groups and former participants, always taking into account a basic element: “the desire to change the world, dreaming that it is possible.”
The final part of the training process in Israel is the implementation of a project which each participant must carry out individually or as part of a group on their return to their communities. For this they were trained, receiving over 60 methodological tools, 180 hours of academic training, visits to a series of successful projects that can be copied, allowing them to intervene with their peers, with children, with adults. In other words, they have become agents of change.
About 90% of our young people have accomplished their work; have given back what they received. Today we have a series of projects that have been and are being carried out throughout their provinces, so that we feel that this effort has been well rewarded.
THE AHARON OFRI INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER
A WINDOW TO INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION
The Aharon Ofri International Training Center was established in 1989 by Haigud Society for Transfer of Technology, as a professional affiliate of MASHAV. The Ofri Center works in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Education. Since its establishment, the Ofri Center has trained thousands of participants from all over the world, introducing them to the wealth of knowledge and experience accumulated in Israel, and presented by top experts in the field of social development, contributing to the sustainable development of human resources.
The main area of activities is in the field of education. The Center offers a holistic and inclusive approach to education-related issues, the belief being that education should be flexible and adapt itself to the individual. The Center focuses on learning at all levels, from elementary and secondary school to adult education, and provides professional training for developing basic skills, civic awareness and education for special populations. The Ofri Center trains key personnel and agents of change in education in capacity building programs in Israel and conducts consulting missions and workshops abroad, aiming to transfer the knowledge gained in Israel in a manner that best suits the partner country’s development strategies.
19 Among the successful projects is the Vivamos la Fiesta en Paz (Let us Celebrate the Holiday Peacefully) Campaign, the main proposal that the country has currently on prevention of alcohol consumption, a project managed entirely byformer participants in the project. The campaign is being currently carried out in the cities of Quito, Cuenca, Manta, Ibarra, Guaranda, Latacunga, Riobamba, Galápagos, Tosagua, Guanujo, Gualaceo and Chone. Another project, entitled “Tincuyachaicuna Leadership Schools”, is being carried out in the rural parishes of Sayausí and Ricaurte, in Cuenca; and a dance school for at-risk children and youth, was established in the Parish of Zámbiza, in Quito.
To live the experience of being trained in Israel is like a never-ending journey; each of us chooses the point to which we wish to arrive; all is part of the blessing of learning and sharing, of changing and improving, of reorienting this great ship of dreams and reality.
When we asked the young people what they are taking from this experience, the answers differ as widely as the youngsters. They speak of the Israeli people, of leaving the beaten track, they speak of the Walled City, the Holy Sites, the history, acceptance and peaceful coexistence, punctuality, beginning the week on Sunday, Shabbat experiences, security, the true social welfare system. They express great admiration for a country, with limited natural resources and of the size of Manabí, with more than 70% desert, with very little annual rain, with a sole freshwater source, a relatively new state, and yet it has learned that its most important resource is the human resource and the essential value incorporated into a single value: Mutual responsibility.
20 UPGRADING EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURES
AVNIT RIFKIN
mergency medical services involve rapid assessment, timely provision of appropriate E interventions, and prompt transportation to the nearest health facility by the best possible means to improve chances of survival, control morbidity and prevent disability. The goal of an effective emergency medical system should therefore be to make emergency care available to all who need it. However, despite the existence of the new technologies required to address emergency medical situations, access to such facilities is not available in many parts of the developing world.
One of the main components of emergency medical care is related to the care provided on arrival at the receiving health facility. Therefore, it is critical to recognize infrastructure gaps that hinder the ability of health systems to make emergency and surgical care a reality. Health care facilities differ widely in respect of equipment, staff and resources, and they consequently possess varying capacities to provide emergency care. A health care facility’s capacity is determined by both human and structural factors.
Human factors include the number and mix of health care workers and their level of training. Structural factors include space, medications, supplies and specialized equipment. The level of demand placed on the facility by the surrounding population may also dictate which services are offered and whether they can be accessed at short notice.
The effort to increase access to emergency care in developing countries has received global attention. Emergency Medicine and National Disaster Preparedness are disciplines which have been given priority on the agendas of the majority of both developed and developing countries. Joining the international community’s efforts of implementing the Millennium Development Goals and based on the Israeli experience gained in these fields, MASHAV serves as a bridge between Israel’s medical community and the developing world, designing and implementing professional activities characterized by a long-term approach, focusing on the delivery of suitable medical services, particularly in rural regions. All of MASHAV’s medical projects are coordinated by an in-house medical advisor who is in charge of all medical activities, health missions and humanitarian assistance, including organizing immediate response in the face of natural and manmade disasters. Projects include training activities both in Israel and abroad, professional consultations, and the establishment of long-term sustainable infrastructural facilities.
The key to achieving such sustainability is to provide partner countries with technologies on a manageable scale. In addition, every project includes assisting in the process of reforms being implemented at the administrative and organizational levels, as well as concentration on human and institutional capacity building (including extensive professional training) and long-term follow-up and support activities.
Following is a short overview of two projects involving the upgrading of emergency medical infrastructures: the first in Kisumu, Kenya, and the second in Cap-Haitiën, Haiti.
21 Hospitals play a key role during emergencies, and must be among the best prepared alongside public safety services. The people of Kisumu can now receive quality emergency care at Kisumu District Hospital, since a team of 10 Israeli engineers recently completed the construction of the hospital’s – first-of-its-kind and fully-equipped emergency room.
Kisumu, the capital of Nyanza Province in western Kenya, was designated as a Millennium City (MCI) by the Earth Institute at Columbia University in 2006. It is the third largest city in Kenya and the only one located in Western Kenya. Positioned on the Gulf of Lake Victoria, with a population of about 460,000. Following an MCI survey, results showed that there was an urgent need to invest in the city’s health infrastructure. Continuing the successful cooperation between MCI and MASHAV, it was decided to examine the possibility of establishing an emergency room at Kisumu’s District Hospital.
The work was carried out in a record three weeks, by engineering and medical teams from Clalit Health Services, the largest health organization in Israel. Prior to their arrival, MASHAV had shipped all vital supplies for the project, from state-of-the-art ER monitoring equipment down to construction materials.
Once the ER’s physical structure was completed and stocked with all the necessary supplies, MASHAV organized professional medical training activities in emergency care for 41 local professionals (doctors, nurses, clinical officers, medical officer interns and paramedics in emergency medicine). The skills acquired will enable Kisumu’s medical professionals to better respond to emergencies and traumas, significantly improving the level of care available in the city and its periphery.
The new ER will provide not only regional emergency treatment, but also regional medical training. It now serves as the center of the city’s emergency response, hosting multiple training sessions for other medical professionals throughout the city and surrounding region. Upgrading Emergency Care in Kisumu, Kenya
22 23 l Infrastructu ica res ed M y c n e g r e
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22 23 The devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010 severely damaged the country’s medical
Emergency Medicine Medicine Emergency infrastructures, denying basic medical care to the population. From the moment the news of the tragedy broke, the State of Israel resolved to assist Haiti in whatever way it could. & When international efforts moved from the phase of rescue to recovery, MASHAV, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, began to develop projects specific to the needs of the people of Haiti. As part of this effort, and in accordance with the Haitian authorities’ rehabilitation plan, a special project for the establishment of a new trauma unit in the city of Cap-Haitiën commenced (population: 1.5 million), jointly designed and organized by the Israeli Government, the Office of the Haitian Prime Minister, and the Haitian Ministry of Health. Center in Haiti Center It was decided to implement the project within the grounds of St. Justinien Hospital, the second largest in the country, serving as a referral medical center, with the aim of preparing the hospital to respond in cases of mass casualty disasters and upgrading the emergency system infrastructure to improve treatment of ongoing cases.
An Israeli team comprising 12 experts, together with local workers, started working on the premises on March 16, 2011. All the equipment necessary to prepare the grounds (300 square meters) as well as the medical equipment needed to operate the Trauma Center was sent by sea from Israel. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new trauma unit took place two weeks later, at the end of March 2011.
The new Trauma Center includes an emergency room for routine treatment and a section for treatment of severe cases to be used during emergency situations, including state- of-the-art medical equipment (monitors, computers, artificial respiration instruments, defibrillators, and more).
Upon the completion of the structure, a team of four Israeli experts arrived in Cap-Haitiën on a two-week mission, to train over 40 local medical staff: doctors, nurses and technicians. Establishing a Trauma a Trauma Establishing The medical facility will be fully operated in the future solely by the local staff.
24 25 l Infrastructu ica res ed M y c n e g r e
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24 25 THE PHILIPPINE-ISRAEL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL TRAINING
SHAIKE STERN AND NAVOT HAKLAY
SHAIKE STERNISTHE HEADOF AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS ASIA-AFRICAAND OCEANIA AT CINADCO–THE CENTERFOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION. NAVOT HAKLAY IS THE DIRECTOROFTHE POULTRY DIVISION AT ISRAEL’S MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
he Philippine-Israel Center for Agricultural Training (PICAT) was established in T June 2006, following an agreement signed between MASHAV and the Philippine Ministry for Agrarian Reform (DAR), and in conjunction with Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and the surrounding towns Munoz and San Isidro in Nueva Ecija District. The goal of establishing a demonstration center in the Philippines was to integrate agricultural extension with R&D, providing onsite training for Filipino field instructors in the areas of vegetable production and livestock husbandry utilizing advanced and modern agricultural technologies. The main components of the project are training of extension workers; the creation of an extension/outreach system (including farm demonstrations, farmers’ field schools/trainings, technical forums and field days); and Research and Development.
THE PROJECT’S MAIN OBJECTIVES: To establish a Regional Extension Center, coordinating between the university and the Agrarian Reform and Agriculture regional/local field units;
To re-tool local government extension personnel in extension methods and recommended agricultural technologies for more effective and efficient extension delivery and outreach;
To conduct field trials in the university and the pilot areas to yield technologies that can potentially improve farm productivity, profitability and sustainability;
To establish, based on the results of field trials, farm demonstration plots in order to trigger wider technology dissemination and utilization;
To contribute to increased productivity, income and living standards of farm families and their communities.
26 27 STAGE 1 STAGE 2 THE PROJECT EXPANDING THE PROJECT
During the first stage of the project, a cadre of 35 In 2009 a new agreement was signed between MASHAV agricultural instructors was trained, from the governmental and the Philippines Ministry for Agrarian Reform calling for and local sectors. The training consisted of two parts: a expanding the model to eight additional provinces in Central four-month theoretical training in vegetable and livestock Luzon (Region III). Within this framework of cooperation, production, and eight months’ practical training, including MASHAV dispatched four short-term delegations of experts establishing model plots and greenhouses utilizing modern and conducted on-the-spot courses in order to reinforce the Israeli agro-technologies and drip irrigation systems, both skills of the local instructors. Several especially designed in the university grounds and at local farms. The results courses on vegetable production were also held in Israel, showed significant water-saving and improved crops. at CINADCO Shefayim, for the instructors and professional The project was managed professionally by several consultants and for the directors of the different projects. senior agronomists from the CLSU teaching staff and was MASHAV’s involvement in the project includes purchase supervised by a long-term Israeli professional expert sent of seeds produced in Israel which serve the local instructors by MASHAV, who managed the project for a year. for the practical training they conduct at the project’s The project was very successful in many areas, especially designated farms. These act as demonstration farms for with regard to the professional training of the agricultural agricultural crops using Israeli innovative growing methods instructors; the transfer of know-how from the instructor to and seeds. the farmer, and particularly for introducing innovation and During the years 2007 to 2009, the PICAT project became professionalism. a showcase for innovative Israeli agricultural technologies, and received several government awards from the Philippines Ministry for Agrarian Reform. This recognition is an expression of the quality of the project and the successful cooperation existing between the two countries. The new Minister for Agrarian Reform recently visited the PICAT project and expressed his wish to continue this successful cooperation for years to come.
26 27 A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SLUM UPGRADING
YOSSI OFFER
THEWRITERISTHE DIRECTOROF TRAINING AT THE WEITZ INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
oday, considering that more than half of the world’s population lives in cities and T urban areas, and that this rate is expected to reach 60% by 2030, slum upgrading has become one of the main challenges of the developing world. According to The United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), it is estimated that one billion people live in slums in the cities of the world – one sixth of the human population – and that the numbers are rising.
Slums are distinguished by the poor quality of housing, the poverty of the inhabitants, the lack of public and private services and the poor integration of the inhabitants into the broader community and its opportunities. Social exclusion, lack of empowerment, less access to education, and social and health services make it very difficult for slum dwellers to do more than survive, sometimes in reasonable, if insecure, conditions, but just as often in poverty and despair.
Considering the magnitude of the problem, even where governments and development aid is available for slum upgrading, there are simply not enough resources to make a real difference for most of the world’s slum dwellers. In this context, partnerships between the public and private sector are required, including forming coalitions between international agencies, cities and action groups acting in a concerted way and with the benefit of knowledge of past successes and failures to deal with the challenge of slums. Holistic approaches to the life situation of slum dwellers are being developed as part of city strategies and with the direct participation of the slum dwellers themselves.
The conditions in poor urban areas in Israel are considerably different from slum areas and informal settlements in developing and transitional countries. Yet, the Weitz Center’s experience shows that the experience gained in Israel is relevant to slum upgrading in developing countries, notably the comprehensive approach and the mechanisms of public- private partnerships in urban upgrading and revitalization processes.
The Weitz Center for Development Studies, established in 1963, is a global leader in capacity building for sustainable development. The Center’s work is dedicated to enhancing the efforts of international agencies, governments, communities, civil society and private sector organizations to achieve positive social and economic change worldwide. Towards this end, we offer high quality training and consulting services to clients across a variety of sectors and levels.
The Center’s mission is to provide clients with practical tools, cutting edge knowledge and hands-on experience to improve the performance of their policies, programs and projects in achieving sustainable development and poverty reduction.
28 29 MASHAV cooperates with the Weitz Center sharing with developing countries the knowledge acquired in Israel in this field, adapting a working plan to each country’s specific conditions, and implementing objectives through an extensive program of training, research, planning and consultancy activities.
In July 2011, the Weitz Center in cooperation with MASHAV and UN-Habitat (a world leader in promoting sustainable urban development and adequate shelter for all, focusing on slum upgrading as one of its key areas) jointly organized a 30-day professional training program aimed at enabling participants to acquire practical tools for the design and implementation of different strategies to slum upgrading.
Thirty one participants from 15 countries arrived in Israel to take part in the program. The curriculum presented a comprehensive approach for slum upgrading, including the formation of partnerships between the public and private sectors and relevant, financial and organizational tools for its implementation, with the aim of integrating aspects of infrastructure, living conditions, land ownership, environmental considerations, services systems and delivery, human capital and community development, and economic activities, into one comprehensive development process.
A general consensus is slowly emerging that comprehensive slum upgrading schemes and the formulation of larger development strategies, are the recommended best practice for slums’ upgrading. Establishing secure tenure, public health and sustainability, advancing gender equality and – especially – partnerships for poverty reduction will significantly contribute to reach Millennium Development Goal number 7: To achieve by 2020 a significant improvement in the lives of 100 million slum dwellers.
28 29 SHALOM CLUBS
ASHAV maintains contact with many of its former course participants through its network of Mmore than 70 Shalom Clubs worldwide. These clubs serve as a forum for MASHAV alumni to participate in professional and social activities. Members are invited to attend local lectures by skilled experts, to exchange ideas and to organize technical cooperation and humanitarian assistance as well as holding cultural functions. Among the many activities that have been organized by Shalom Clubs have been workshops on professional topics, organization of events to raise funds for local charities, mobilization of club members to donate their professional services for community development and humanitarian activities. Members of the Shalom Clubs play an integral role in determining the focus and scope of programming of their clubs.
The Embassy of Israel held its annual between the two countries, and the desire to Shalom Club meeting in December strive for the improvement of the livelihoods
ENYA at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi. More of many Kenyans through capacity building
K than 100 participants from all over the country programs in the fields of Agriculture & Rural attended the event. Distinguished guests Development, Social Economic Development, included Minister of Justice Mutula Kilonzo, Rural and Urban Development, Education and Deputy Minister of Education Calist Mwatela, Health, all of which are basic components for and Head of the Education Committee at development. Kenya’s Parliament David Koech.
The Embassy of Israel in Manila in coordination with the Shalom Club Philippines donated wheelchairs and additional medical equipment to the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMCC) in
HILIPPINES Manila in January. Representing the hospital
P was Dr. Ma. Alicia M. Lim, the Medical Center Director. Also present were H.E. Zvi A. Vapni, HE Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines; Deputy T Chief of Mission Yaniv Revach and Ms. Zeny Y.
The event saw the closing ceremony of a MASHAV on-the-spot course on “Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse” which was conducted by Israeli experts in conjunction with National Campaign against Drug Abuse Authority in Kenya. H.E. Jacob Keidar, Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, mentioned the fruitful cooperation existing
30 Ubaldo, President of the Shalom Club. Dr. Eric de Simulation Drill at the National Emergency Jesus, the Chairman of the JRRMCC’s orthopedic Center during which they simulated offering department, expressed his appreciation for the assistance to people in need. donation.
In June the Shalom Club Paraguay participated, for the 13th time, in the The MASHAV Shalom Club in Myanmar traditional Teleton Feast held at the was formed eight years ago, and counts Metropolitan Seminary of Asunción. Shalom more than 200 members. The annual Club members, together with the cultural meeting of Shalom Club took place at Myanmar- ARAGUAY P
YANMAR society Friends of Israel and the Paraguay Info-Tech in Yangon in March, in collaboration Chapter of WIZO (The Women’s International M with the Embassy of Israel. Ambassador of Zionist Organization) contributed traditional Israel to Myanmar, H.E. Yaron Mayer, gave Israeli dishes including humous, falafel and the opening remarks, and was followed by other delicacies. a short film about Israel and MASHAV. During the evening, members of the Shalom Club shared their experiences from their stay in Israel and discussed further MASHAV-Shalom Club activities. A musical performance and refreshments concluded the event.
The Teleton Foundation is a non-profit organization providing services and support to children with disabilities. Its mission is to build an inclusive society through the development of a national system of rehabilitation. The A group of members of the Shalom Club Teleton Feast is a yearly fund-raising event in Peru joined the volunteer members of which over 200 amateur chefs prepare and sell ERU the Emergency System Institution in original dishes. The Shalom Club members’
P Peru. They participated in a National Earthquake stand, festively decorated with the flags of Israel and Paraguay, included the presence of Israel’s Honorary Consul to Paraguay Max Haber, and other distinguished guests.
31 MASHAV http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News
IN T E R NATIONA L PARTNERSHIP FOR DE V E L O PM E N T
ISRAEL AND GERMANY SIG N CO OPER ATION AGREEMENT
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon and German Federal Photo:
Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Dirk MFA Niebel signed in January a joint Declaration of Intent aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation to assist developing nations. They discussed the continuation and enhancement of cooperation and assistance to developing countries, following the agreement signed last year, and reviewed progress in the implementation of projects in Ethiopia and Ghana, deciding on a new joint project: the rehabilitation of L ake Victoria. The lake, one of the sources of the Nile, is a strategic resource, and as a large source of water and fish it provides a income and livelihood to local residents. D e p ut y F M Ay a lon ( lef t) a nd G e r ma n Fe d e r a l M i n i s te r Nie b e l Germany and Israel have decided to cooperate and to assist s i g n ag r e e me nt ( P hoto : M FA) Kenya in its efforts to rehabilitate the regions adjacent to the lake, which has been severely contaminated. under way in Ethiopia, as well as a citrus growing project in MASHAV cooperates closely with its German counterpart: Ghana. Both parties are currently e xamining the possibility An irrigation and water management project is already of e xtending cooperation to Central Asia.
M A S H AV AND W F P SIG N MOU
An MOU was signed in January between MASHAV and to share their respective strengths and resources to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The MOU support initiatives that advance their common goal to states that MASHAV and WFP share a common commitment improve the lives of the world’s poor. Israel’s Foreign toward the fulfillment of the MDGs and share the burden Minister Avigdor Liberman signed on behalf of MASHAV, of eradicating hunger worldwide, helping to foster and Executive Director Josette Sheeran signd on behalf of stability and security. The two organizations wish WFP.
ISRAEL RE OPE N S EM BA S S Y IN GH A NA
Israel has officially reopened its embassy in Ghana. the two states. MASHAV is active in Ghana in a variety of Israel’s ambassador in Accra, Sharon Bar-Li, presented fields including development projects in the areas of her credentials to Ghana’s President John Evans Atta Mills. health, water and sanitation , early childhood education In her speech, Ambassador Bar-Li noted that this event and agriculture. marks the deepening of the historic relations between
M A S H AV 32 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News CEMAC-ISRAEL PARTNERSHIP
A Technical Cooperation Agreement was signed in January in Yaounde, Cameroon, between CEMAC – The Economic and Monetary Union of Central African States, and the government of Israel, to work in synergy in the production of pesticides with the goal of stepping up agricultural production in the Sub-region.
According to the terms of the agreement, Israel will share its wealth of knowledge in pesticides regulation with CPAC (The Inter-States Pesticides Committee for Central Africa) to boost agricultural production while preserving the environment and the health of local consumers, as well as in enhancing the competitiveness of local agricultural produce on Chairman of the CEMAC Commission Antoine Ntsimi (left) and Israel’s the international market. Ambassador to Cameroon Miki Arbel (right) at the signing ceremony
ISRAEL AND FRANCE SIGN DECLARATION OF INTENT
France’s Ambassador to Israel, Christophe Bigot, and Head of MASHAV Ambassador Daniel Carmon signed in September on behalf of their countries a Declaration of Intent on a Partnership for Development Cooperation. The two countries declared their wish to establish a framework for collaborative efforts on programs and activities to commence by the end of 2011, enabling them to identify common interests and priorities. The objective of this cooperation is to enhance income generation, inclusive development and pro-poor growth. The first phase will include joint development activities in Cameroon, Senegal, Head of MASHAV Ambassador Daniel Carmon (right) and France’s Ghana, Burkina Faso and Haiti. Ambassador to Israel Christophe Bigot sign the agreement
MASHAV-FAO COOPERATION IN ETHIOPIA
Two Israeli agricultural experts offered in February The workshop focused mainly on strengthening the local a capacity building workshop for Ethiopian farmers and dairy cooperatives and unions, including the introduction dairy cooperatives in the Assella Arsi zone, Oromia Regional of modern production technologies as well as farm State, and in Addis Ababa. The professional training management techniques and best practices for marketing took place within the framework of the existing produce. The goal of the workshop was to identify the best Memorandum of Understanding between MASHAV ways to increase the level of small-scale dairy production and the FAO Sub Regional Coordination Office for Eastern and maintain sustainable dairy farms, with special attention Africa (SFE). to sustainable milk production throughout the year.
33 INDO-ISRAEL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Taking the agricultural cooperation between India and Israel a step ahead, the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar; Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda; and Israel’s Ambassador to India, Mark Sofer, inaugurated in January the first Center of Excellence of Vegetables at Gharaunda, in Haryana. The Center of Excellence will showcase new agricultural technologies and crop management techniques.
From left to right: Minister Pawar, Ambassador Sofer and Chief Minister Hooda inspect a tomato plant at the new Center of Excellence
PARTNERSHIP FOR UPGRADING MEDICAL RESOURCES IN ETHIOPIA
MASHAV recently partnered with the Medical School for International Health (MSIH) on an initiative to enrich medical education for students and residents at Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. MSIH, a collaborative medical school with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Columbia University Medical Center, incorporates global health coursework, global health modules and specialized training. Its mission is to prepare physicians to address the cultural, political, environmental and economic factors that impact the health of individuals and populations.
Dr. Broides from Soroka Hospital (left) with Mr. Alon Unsuf-Asif (center), deputy chief of the Mission of the Israeli embassy in Addis Ababa, Dr. Damte Shimelis, head of the Department of Pediatrics at Black Lion Hospital (second from right) and Dr. Amha Mekasha (right), site coordinator for the MSIH global health clinical clerkships at Black Lion Hospital.
DELEGATIONS
CIICTA STUDY TOUR
A professional delegation of 17 members from CIICTA- The Chinese-Israeli International Centre for Training in Agriculture arrived in Israel in March for a specially designed study tour on “Modern Agricultural Technologies.” The Chinese-Israel Centre was established in 1993 at Beijing University for Agricultural Engineering (today the eastern campus of the Agricultural University of China), and is one of the joint projects in agriculture between China and Israel. CIICTA is comprised of three sections: Training, Research and Development, and Extension Service.
MASHAV 34 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News PERUVIAN FARMERS AT CINADCO
Following an official request made to the Israeli Center. The program concluded with a professional meeting in which Embassy in Lima, a delegation of 27 farmers the participants presented ideas which could be implemented in their from Cajamarca Province, Peru, arrived in Israel region in the near future in June to participate in a specially designed study tour on “Sustainable Development of the Rural Community” organized by CINADCO’s Spanish Department. During their 10-day visit the Peruvian farmers met with their Israeli counterparts, and discussed organizational and planning aspects at regional and community levels, water management issues, crop and milk production, applied technologies and entrepreneurship. Topics regarding education for sustainable development were included in cooperation with the Ofri International Training
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
THE REHOVOT CONFERENCE
The Rehovot Conference 2010 on “Inclusive Sustainable Development Initiatives” took place December 2010. About 250 professionals participated in the Conference, 67 of them from 29 foreign countries. The Conference was organized by the Weitz Center in cooperation with MASHAV, the Municipality of Rehovot; UN-Habitat; The Jewish Agency for Israel; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Weitz Center International; KKL-JNF; American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee; Israel Planners Association and Israel Latin America Chamber of Commerce. Important international scholars and decision makers took part in the Conference, among them Prof. Kwi- Gon Kim, Director of International Urban Training Center, South Korea; and Angelino Garzon, Vice- president of Colombia. Strategy for Urban Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.” During the Conference, awards were presented to the winners of the fifth “Integrated Development Second place: Ricardo Rossi, J.B. Callicot, Francisca Massardo, Projects Competition” in memory of Prof. Christopher Anderson, Keeli Moses – “The Omora Ethnobotanical Raanan Weitz. Ninety projects from 25 countries Park: Conceptual and Methodological Advances for Linking Ecological participated in the competition. The three Sustainability and Social Well Being in Southern South America.” Third winners were: First place: Mekonen Wube Ermed place: Krishna Bahadur Kunwar – “Integrated Rural development – “Addis Ababa Housing Development Program: A through Cooperative Lease farming in Nepal.”
35 I-TECH AND MASHAV ORGANIZE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ETHIOPIA
The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) Ethiopia marked in January the fifth year of the “I-TECH Advanced Training in AIDS Medicine Collaboration Ethiopia, USA and Israel,” by hosting an alumni conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The professional program is a partnership between MASHAV, I-TECH and three Israeli universities, which comprise the Israeli Consortium on AIDS Medicine in Africa. The program provides the opportunity for health care professionals from Ethiopia to participate in specialized HIV training in Israel. Upon completing the program, they return home ready to make a difference in their communities by delivering HIV care and treatment and training other health care workers in advanced skills.
INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS
Agritech Asia 2011 took place for the first time in Mumbai, India, on “Agro-Technological Innovations for in September, continuing the tradition of uniting the international Sustainable Development,” jointly organized agriculture community showcasing the latest developments in agriculture by the Embassy of Israel in Peru, MASHAV and advanced agro-technologies. An Israeli delegation comprised of and CINADCO along with representatives of 12 representatives from MASHAV, CINADCO (The Center for International leading Israeli companies. Cooperation for Agricultural Development) and the Israeli Export Institute, together with representatives of 11 leading Israeli companies, held a conference on “Innovative Agro – technologies for sustainable Agricultural Development” which included presentations of agricultural development projects, fruit production, post-harvest technologies, irrigation systems, regional water management, dairy production and greenhouse technologies.
The exhibition in Mumbai followed the success of Agritech Peru, which took place in Lima in May. Over 4,000 visitors reviewed the latest developments in agriculture, and more than 500 professionals, technicians, entrepreneurs and students from Peru and other countries (including Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Mexico) attended the Conference
SYMPOSIUM AT MCTC MARKING MINA BEN ZVI MEMORIAL DAY
A symposium, during which Israeli experts who had Development; Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Poverty conducted On-The-Spot activities abroad described their Eradication; Early Childhood Education and Rural Tourism. experiences, was organized in February by the Mount The professional teams had visited diverse locations in Carmel Golda Meir International Training Center (MCTC) in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern memory of Mina Ben Zvi, the Center’s Founding Director. Europe to conduct their wide-ranging training activities, The 15 presentations covered all the main themes the thus providing their listeners with a fascinating tour of Center focuses on, including Gender Equality, Community development projects around the world.
MASHAV 36 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
THE HORN OF AFRICA
The drought afflicting the Horn of Africa region has left donated emergency food item was especially made for millions at the mercy of hunger, threatening the livelihoods children - known as Corn Soya Chickpeas Blend (CSB Plus), of farmers and putting the lives of hundreds of thousands it includes heat treated maize, soya beans, chickpeas, of children at risk. In response to this crisis, the Government vitamins, and minerals. Israel, through MASHAV, remains and the people of Israel contributed in October 2011 to the committed to provide immediate relief for African nations World Food Program (WFP), supporting the delivery of food following major crises, such as the acute humanitarian packages to Somali refugees in Kenya and Ethiopia. One situation now facing the Horn of Africa.
ASSISTANCE IN FACE OF NATURAL DISASTERS
MASHAV is the body responsible for coordinating Israel’s emergency situations following natural disasters, MASHAV official humanitarian program. In these cases, MASHAV is recently assisted Thailand, Cambodia, El Salvador and able to use its vast experience in crisis response to rapidly Guatemala. dispatch needed assistance to countries in crises. Following
KENYA
A shipment of medical supplies was sent in September to Kenya to assist in treating casualties of the devastating fuel-line explosion in which more than 100 people died and hundreds were injured. As details of the disaster became known, Israeli ambassador to Kenya Gil Haskel offered Israel’s assistance to the heads of Kenyatta National Hospital, where most of the injured were hospitalized. MASHAV is the body responsible for coordinating Israel’s official humanitarian assistance program. As such, and using its vast experience in crisis response, it rapidly organized and dispatched medical supplies including more than 360 kg. of medicines for treating burns, bandaging equipment, infusion sets, ointments and painkillers.
SRI LANKA
In coordination with the Sri Lankan Government, the State designed to address emergency situations characterized by of Israel sent emergency aid to alleviate the hardship of lack of drinking water. In addition, the emergency supply the many thousands of Sri Lankans who were left without included large amounts of multipurpose disinfecting agent shelter following the devastating floods that recently hit for hospital and clinic use. These unique products are the eastern part of the country. The aid, supplied through made by Concept, an Israeli company that specializes in MASHAV, included half a ton of water purification tablets, disinfection and water purification solutions.
TONGA
MASHAV, in cooperation with Insulin for Life Australia and of Tonga suffer from the disease. Among the medical the Israeli Embassy in Canberra, organized the donation equipment donated were glucose test kits, which were and shipment of quality medical supplies to Tonga for the distributed among the local clinics. treatment of diabetes. Over 30 percent of the residents
37 EYESIGHT RESTORING MISSION TO ETHIOPIA
A delegation comprised of delegates from the Israeli NGO of the local personnel. A few days later, they continued Eye from Zion and Joint Israel, and under the auspices of north to the village of Debark, where many people suffer MASHAV, returned in September from a two-week sight- from blindness caused by cataracts. More than 160 surgical restoring mission to northern Ethiopia. The team worked procedures were performed by the Israeli doctors utilizing a first in Gondar Hospital, where the Israeli doctors performed state-of-the-art and revolutionary operation room especially surgical procedures accompanied by professional training designed by Eye from Zion. Photos: Vardi Cahana Vardi Photos:
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MASHAV 38 http://mashav.mfa.gov.il News LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Seminar organized in Nebbi in my home district about what I had learnt in Israel. They were inspired by Dear Readers: the concept “Rosh Gadol” [“to take charge”] and as a result, an association This is the first issue of Shalom magazine that is being was formed to network all Community published as a digital edition. Our new online magazine, besides Based Organizations (CBOs) operating reaching you faster, is more environmentally friendly due to the in Nebbi district. The Association is reduction of paper use. From now on, Shalom magazine can be easily called Nebbi Rosh Gadol Association. passed along and linked to more readers around the world. So far it has 113 registered Community
The thousands of professionals who graduate from MASHAV programs Based Organizations (CBOs) in Nebbi each year share a personal and collective responsibility to strive to district. find solutions to shared global development challenges, by adapting In September 2000, I was privileged to the knowledge acquired in Israel to their respective realities. have been chosen to lead 48 delegates from my nation Uganda to Jerusalem As we continue our development work Shalom magazine remains and also to represent my country as a strong link between MASHAV and you, our graduates, all over the a National Delegate to Israel. This was world. an outcome of the training I received The new digital edition of Shalom magazine can also be accessed at on leadership in Israel thus a good MASHAV’s website (http://mashav.mfa.gov.il), where you can also cooperation and friendship now exists review additional development activities. between us.
I hope you enjoy this new issue of Shalom magazine and as always I The knowledge I acquired in the look forward to hearing your feedback and ideas! MASHAV course did not only benefit me personally but most specially my With warm regards, communities and country in general.
AVNIT RIFKIN The impact of Nebbi Rash Gadol’s Editor presence in Nebbi district is immense. In conclusion, we who have benefited Shalom Magazine from similar experiences owe our P.O.Box 34140 gratitude to MASHAV and the State of Jerusalem 91341 Israel for its dedication to reach out ISRAEL and share with the world its wealth [email protected] of experiences in its achievements in areas of leadership, technology, and agriculture and resource management.
Thank you MASHAV and May God January 2011 5th July to 3rd Aug 1999, organized by richly bless you! I love Israel and Dear Editor the MASHAV, Ministry of Foreign Affairs always pray for Israel. I am happy to have been receiving Israel. Sincerely yours, Shalom Magazine since 2000. I was Despite the many years passed, I still blessed to have been sponsored have memories from my teachers who Susan Ubima by the Government of Israel to helped me understand and respect participate in the International the culture and history of Israel. My Nebbi Rosh Gadol Association Course on “The Role of Women in experience in Israel was very exciting P 0 Box 23421 Neighborhood Rehabilitation in and the best I have ever had because Kampala the Urban Informal Sector” at the immediately after I returned back home, UGANDA International Institute Histadrut from I was asked to facilitate at a Women’s [email protected]
39 January 2011 during the course; I also presented my My visit to your country has Dear Editor proposals including starting a Canine changed me both academically and Unit to help in the fight against drugs professionally. Once more my thanks to Thank you very much for sending me in our Prisons. all the parties involved in our program the magazine of Shalom. I receive including: MASHAV; the Israeli Foreign important information from it. I work The Commissioner of Prisons showed Ministry; the Hebrew University of at the Tea Research Institute, Chinese interest and gave me and other officers Jerusalem Faculty of Agriculture; the Academy of Agricultural Sciences the authority to establish a Dog National Public Health Laboratory; in Hangzhou, in eastern China. Unit. All the necessary procurement Mekorot Institute for Quality Control I was a participant at MASHAV’s procedures were done and some 50 and to the Institute for counter- training course on “Agriculture and puppies were bought and delivered terrorism. I really appreciate you all. the environment: practices and to the Police Dog Training Center processes in soil and water” in 2006. for training. We selected some 24 Thank you very much, During the course I was able to learn dog handlers and took them for about advanced technologies and a 2months training so as to prepare ABDULRAHMAN ALIYU them to handle the dogs. The 24 are techniques, some of which I was NAFDAC able to adapt in my work. I am very serving officers and among them are NIGERIA impressed by the hard-working and 5 graduates of animal health from [email protected] friendly people of Israel and your the University. The dogs will be ready beautiful country. I am very interested to work in the prisons by the end of in the development of MASHAV December this year. and wish to continue receiving I appreciate and value the knowledge information about your activities. and experience I received in Israel. This letter was sent to Mazal Renford, Best regards, I wish to thank the State of Israel Director of the Golda Meir Mount through IADA (Israel Anti Drug Carmel International Training Center PROF. WENYAN HAN Authority) and MASHAV for giving me (MCTC) CHINA the chance to learn and visit the holy
[email protected] sites of the blessed nation of Israel. July 2011 [email protected] Thank you and Shalom, DEAR MAZAL, We take this opportunity to thank DAVID M. KILUNDO the Director & staff of the Golda Meir KENYA Mount Carmel International Training Centre (MCTC) for their wonderful This letter was sent to Yudith [email protected] work in arranging and conducting Rosenthal, Director of the Aharon the set workshop on Community Ofri International Training Center Empowerment with Emphasis on January 2011 Management of Micro Enterprises from 7 to 17 February 2011 for the team Dear Yudith, This letter was sent to Miri Ben Haim, from Caritas Sri Lanka. I am happy to have this opportunity Director, Division for External Studies It gives us great pleasure to share the of informing you of my progress Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, experiences of our team members since I graduated from the Aharon Food & Environment, The Hebrew who returned after a memorable trip Ofri International Centre in University of Jerusalem with immense learning experience November 2009. As you are aware, January 2011 with our friends in Sri Lanka. We all I work with the Kenya Prisons Dear all, have good words for the Director of Service and hold the rank of Senior I wish to sincerely express my thanks the Institute, the Workshop Director Superintendent. I am deployed at and appreciations to all who were (Ms Shula Ferdman), the staff and the HQs under the Directorate of involved in organizing the course on especially Ms. Shira Mano, all of whom Operations as the Staff Officer . Water and Health, held in Rehovot have played many roles to make our Upon my return from Israel I made at the Robert H. Smith Faculty of stay in Israel most fruitful, comfortable a brief but elaborate presentation of Agriculture, Food & Environment, and enjoyable. For this, we would like all that I had learned and observed Hebrew University of Jerusalem. to express our great appreciation to
40 41 EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL
the lecturers who have shared their Early Childhood Education. Thank EDITORIAL BOARD valuable knowledge which we are sure you for the Shalom Magazine I really would be very useful to the work of enjoy being updated with the exciting DANIEL CARMON Caritas in Sri Lanka. activities/events that goes on in Israel. Deputy Director General The Kibutz System and the visits to the You have such a wonderful country Ministry of Foreign Affairs Industrial Park have further enhanced and so much for us to learn from. Head of MASHAV Jerusalem our knowledge and helped us gain Some of my colleagues are keen to firsthand experience on community participate in some courses offered in empowerment, especially economic Israel. We are now an amalgamation ILAN FLUSS empowerment. As followers of Jesus of 5 tertiary colleges in Fiji and the Director Christ with a pastoral mission, it gave youngest University in the Asia- MASHAV Policy Planning and External us a once in a life time opportunity Pacific region, called the Fiji National Relations Department Jerusalem to see the holy places and for this we University. Thank you for once again would be forever grateful to you for for a job well done with Shalom organizing and accompanying us. magazine. YAACOV ABUTBUL We will always remember the kind Best regards, Deputy Director General assistance and cooperation extended Haigud Society for Transfer of Technology UFEMIA CAMAITOGA Jerusalem by Mr. Itay Tagner of Political Affairs Section, Embassy of Israel in New Fiji National University Lautoka Campus Delhi for giving his valuable time GERSHON GAN to visit Sri Lanka and carry out the FIJI Ambassador (retired) Needs Assessment, liaising with [email protected] Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs MASHAV, Israel Ministry of Foreign Jerusalem Affairs, Jerusalem, without which this visit would not have been possible. MAZAL RENFORD Once again, our grateful thanks to Director May 2011 all including the staff, kitchen staff, Golda Meir Mount Carmel International receptionist, security personnel, Dear Editor, Training Center who supported to make this event a First of all I would like to thank you Haifa success. and Shalom magazine editorial staff for sending me Shalom Magazine We look forward to continuing and regularly. It helps me know about the further strengthening the cordial development activities throughout the relations between Caritas Sri Lanka world by the experts. Fifteen years and the MCTC in Haifa, Israel. May God ago I attended a training course at Bless you and all your endeavors! the Weitz Center on Integrated Rural Yours sincerely, Regional Development Planning in FR. GEORGE SIGAMONEY Israel for 5 months. I was impressed DITOR Avnit Rifkin National Director Caritas Sri Lanka by the training and by Israeli E : – SEDEC technology especially in the areas of agriculture and education. I would SRI LANKA PRODUCTION & like to thank you again. [email protected] GRAPHIC DESIGN: Youval Tal Ltd. Best regards,
PHENKAE KUNAWONGDET PUBLISHED BY: Haigud - Transfer of Technology for Development Kung Krabaen Bay Royal P.O.Box 34140 Development Study Center Jerusalem 91341 February 2011 THAILAND www.haigud.org.il DEAR EDITOR, [email protected] I was a participant at Mount Carmel Training Centre in Haifa in 2003 in Printed in Israel the course on Capacity Building in ISSN 0792-8262
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