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Shalom Magazine for the Alumni of MASHAV Training Courses is

published by Haigud - Transfer of Technology for Development.

Haigud, a government company and non-profit organization, serves

as the financial and administrative arm of MASHAV, and functions as a

professional unit to assist in the implementation of MASHAV activities.

MASHAVIsrael’s Agency for International

Development Cooperation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

State of Israel

CONTENTS

1 FROM THE DESK OF THE HEAD OF MASHAVDANIEL CARMON

2 UNECE/MCTC/MASHAV COOPERATION: SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND PROMOTION OF SKILLS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

MAZAL RENFORD

6 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

SHOSHANA GABBAY

11 THE RIO+20 CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

ILAN FLUSS

13 AYITI CHERI – BELOVED HAITI

SHIRLY KAHANA

17 AQUACULTURE AS A COMPONENT OF FOOD SECURITY DR. ISAAK BEJERANO

19 ISRAEL-KENYA-GERMANY TRILATERAL COOPERATION AVNIT RIFKIN

23 FORMULATING A COMPREHENSIVE DRUG REDUCTION STRATEGY:THE ISRAELI MODEL

YUDITH ROSENTHAL

26 LEVERAGING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND INNOVATION FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

AMANDINE DESILLE

29 SHALOM CLUBS

31 MASHAV NEWS

39 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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he State of Israel, through MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International

Development Cooperation, is a proud member of the international community

and has been sharing Israel’s experience, approaches and knowhow with developing

countries since 1958.

Since our inception we have been engaged in agriculture and rural development,

medicine and public health, community development, education and gender issues,

as part of what is presently known as the Millennium Development Goals.

In our experience, solutions to development challenges lie in the human resource,

and therefore, this is one of the main reasons why we focus our many activities

on human capacity building. Since the establishment of MASHAV, over 270,000

professionals from over 130 countries around the world have participated in our

professional programs.

We in Israel are very familiar with the challenges of development, as we ourselves

made the transition from a developing country into a modern success story. This

particular experience of nation building is the very unique ingredient that Israel,

through MASHAV, brings to its work in the field of sustainable development.

Following important shifts which have occurred in the international development

landscape over recent years, MASHAV has adopted a dual approach to development.

On the one side we engage in active development policy dialogues and development

diplomacy, thus contributing to and shaping discussions at a higher, multilateral

level. At the same time, through our professional programs, we maintain an active

and effective presence at the field level.

We have consistently emphasized the importance of creating effective partnerships

for development to share our know-how and first-hand experience with developing

countries, and to deliver sustainable results on the ground. This need was most

recently enshrined in the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.

An important element of such partnerships is the unique experience and expertise

which each side brings to the table.

The fight against poverty and hunger requires the combined efforts of all

stakeholders. Israel has taken an active part in the efforts of implementing the

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and is joining the international community in

rethinking the Post 2015 MDG Agenda.

Within this framework, I can assure you that we at MASHAV will continue to

explore elements for future international development cooperation to make our most

significant and effective contribution towards achieving the common, interdependent

goals of poverty eradication and environmental sustainability.

Sincerely,

AMBASSADOR DANIEL CARMON

Head of MASHAV

Israel’s Agency for International

Development Cooperation

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The writer is the Director of the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International

Training Center, Haifa, Israel

overty eradication and equal opportunities for women are high on the list of the

United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for the 21st century. Yet,

despite the important role that women play in driving development, they are still likely to

bear a disproportionate burden in any economic crisis.

Notably, according to the UN Development Program, women make up a majority of

the world’s poor. Since women, moreover, will likely suffer the most during any economic

crisis, there is a great and urgent need to expand economic opportunities for them.

Women, in short, must play a major role in rebuilding the world economy. As Ngozi N. Okonjo-Iweala form the World Bank Group has said, it is not just about fairness, it is “smart

economics.”

During an economic crisis, school drop-out rates may increase among girls as jobs created

tend to target men. Furthermore, higher unemployment rates for women in export-oriented

countries increase female exploitation in both the legal and illicit economy. Significantly too,

accessing credit may be even more difficult for women in times of financial crisis such as we

are experiencing in recent years. Additionally, remittances back to the country of origin may

be reduced, further exacerbating poverty.

While looking at global unemployment trends for women, the ILO pointed out that an

economic crisis could generate millions more unemployed women, jeopardizing equality

gains at work and at home. Indeed, its 2009 Report reconfirmed that gender inequality

remains an issue within labor markets globally. Women suffer multiple disadvantages in

terms of access to labor markets, and often do not have the same level of freedom as men

to choose their place of work.

Unsurprisingly then, gender differences in labor-force participation rates and unemployment

rates are a persistent feature of global labor markets. In its Recommendations for Action,

the USAID (The United States Agency for International Development) includes the creation

of a workforce development strategy that targets women, while meeting market demands;

enhancing women’s ability to succeed in business through general and industry-specific

business training programs and networking opportunities; establishing or expanding business

development services to help start and scale up enterprises owned by women (e.g. women’s

business resource centers, women’s chambers of commerce, or one-stop shops for local

entrepreneurs); expanding women’s access to credit; creating a leadership and mentoring

UNECE/MCTC/MASHAV COOPERATION:SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND PROMOTION OF SKILLS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

P

MAZAL RENFORD

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program that links successful women entrepreneurs with

up-and-coming businesswomen; creating opportunities for

women’s leadership in economic recovery. Women, quite

clearly then, can be a driving force for economic recovery,

but in order to become productively employed they must

be meaningfully included in economic and workforce

development strategies.

This important issue of workforce development strategies

for women as a vital factor in economic recovery was

firmly grasped by the UNECE (United Nations Economic

Commission for Europe), within the framework of its

UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia

(SPECA) where women’s entrepreneurship can be seen as

an important driver of job creation, economic growth and

development in the member countries concerned. However,

in relation to Central Asia and the South Caucasus,

women continue to be disadvantaged in employment

and are under-represented among entrepreneurs and

decision makers.

Indeed, in our third-millennium world, in Central Asia

as well as elsewhere, where the problem of the status of

women is still acute and where there are fewer jobs than

people wishing to work, entrepreneurship offers both a

personal solution and a national benefit. The role of women

entrepreneurs as contributors to the economic development

of their societies calls out for attention. Women need support

and training in the type of entrepreneurial activities and

fields in which they can most profitably engage.

A favorable environment for microenterprises with

supportive organizational, legal, economic and social

incentives encourages the successful participation of

women in the economic life of their country. As such,

only through empowering women for entrepreneurship

may we hope to achieve many of the UN Millennium

Development Goals.

UNECE/MCTC/MASHAV COOPERATION

Recognizing the vital need for women in the SPECA region

(as well as elsewhere) to receive support and training in

the field of entrepreneurship, UNECE decided in 2006 to

increase its cooperation with the Golda Meir Mount Carmel

International Training Center (MCTC), a pioneer for many

years in this field.

From its establishment over 50 years ago, MCTC’s principal

aim has been to promote the development of women in

developing countries and to foster women’s empowerment.

Set against the background of the strong small-business

support network in Israel, and the wealth of practical

examples available to illustrate its training activities, MCTC

has developed a comprehensive program for Small and

Medium Enterprises (SME) entrepreneurship development,

aimed primarily at women. The MCTC experience shows the

importance of the linkage between training, financing for

micro-credit and poverty alleviation.

Based on its experience and within the framework of

MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development

Cooperation, MCTC has had a most successful partnership

with UNECE, holding joint workshops geared towards

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the economic empowerment of women in Central Asia.

These workshops mainstream gender into the process

of sub-regional economic cooperation, thus supporting

the activities of SPECA’s Working Group on Gender

and Economy.

The UNECE/MCTC/MASHAV programs significantly

promote poverty eradication and increase family income

by means of training, education and skills enhancement

of women in the establishment and running of micro,

small and medium enterprises. These capacity-building

workshops, held in the Russian language, are targeted

at women entrepreneurs from Central Asia. They provide

support, guidance and managerial tools on the use of new

technologies in the management of small businesses.

According to the UNECE statement, “they further address

government institutions in charge of small and medium-

sized enterprise development at national and local levels,

women’s business associations and other civil society

organizations to build their capacity to strengthen the

support environment for women entrepreneurs. Over

the years, the training scheme has not only played an

important role in strengthening support for women’s

entrepreneurship, but has also facilitated networking

among women entrepreneurs across Central Asia”.

By mid-2012, over 300 women professionals from over 250

organizations in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan,

Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan had

participated in 13 joint UNECE/MCTC/MASHAV workshops

in the fields of Micro-credit and other Support Systems for

Women Entrepreneurs; Information and Communication

Technologies and Support Systems for women in SMEs at

National and Local Levels.

UNECE/MCTC/MASHAV HIGH LEVEL POLICY SEMINAR

PROMOTING INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

FFollowing the successful cooperation between the parties, a high-level policy seminar on Promoting Innovative Entrepreneurship was jointly organized by UNECE/MCTC/MASHAV in March 2011, relating

to government policies aimed at fostering innovative enterprises. Part of the discussion was dedicated

to the design and implementation of gender-sensitive policies, in order to enhance the participation of

women in the innovation process.

This important High-Level Policy Seminar was attended by 28 government officials, business incubator

practitioners and representatives of SME associations, as well as national experts from nine UNECE

member-states: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and

Ukraine, and by UNECE representatives from the headquarters in Geneva.

The participants discussed major issues related to the establishment and operation of innovative

companies in the emerging market economies of the region. Special emphasis was placed on the good

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During these professional training programs, participants have the opportunity to

become acquainted with support systems for small entrepreneurship in Israel, including

technological incubators, to review rural tourism as an income generator, and to discuss the

position of women as entrepreneurs at a time of global change.

In addition to these joint activities, and taking into consideration the key challenges for

women entrepreneurs in rural areas, special attention should also be paid to the specific

needs of self-employed rural women entrepreneurs, raising their awareness to alternative

income sources (e.g. through rural tourism), providing them with role models and best

practices for development and for a more gender-sensitive culture.

The UNECE/MCTC/MASHAV role in tackling gender issues, enhancing the contribution

of women to development in a self-employed entrepreneurial capacity and involving

the grassroots population, remains an on-going relevant and vital part of the struggle to

alleviate poverty and advance the status of women.

By thus continuing to play its part in training women entrepreneurs across Central Asia, in

cooperation with UNECE, by giving them the means to multiply skills and create many more

job openings in their communities, MCTC carries out the vision of one of its founders, Israel’s

first woman Prime Minister, Golda Meir. As she said:

“We women of the world must participate in the necessary war – not against men – but against poverty, ignorance, inequality and injustice. We women are not better than our men, but we are too good for our own countries and the world to do without our active

participation in the struggle for peace and development.”

practices of financing new innovative enterprises at various stages of their life

cycle, as well as the role of product quality in innovation. Particular attention was

given to women’s entrepreneurship.

The seminar ended with a Round Table dedicated to policy options

aimed at fostering innovative enterprises. It emphasized the need

to develop favorable legal and regulatory conditions favoring

entrepreneurship, and stability of property rights as a general basis

for enterprise development.

Promoting trust among various stakeholders and fighting against

corruption were also mentioned as fundamental factors of

innovative entrepreneurship. In some countries, a major

policy challenge for governments is to divert entrepreneurial

initiative and investment from highly profitable mining and trade

sectors in favor of risky innovation activities. During their stay in

Israel, the UNECE team held consultations with the Israeli Government

on fostering future cooperation in the area of eco-innovation.

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REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE ISRAEL ENVIRONMENT BULLETIN,MAY 2012, SPECIAL EDITION RIO+20

srael is a small country, much of it comprised of drylands. It is poor in land and water

resources. Only 2% of its workforce is engaged in agriculture. Yet Israel’s vision for its

agricultural sector is large and optimistic: maximizing production and contributing to rural

and economic development, while protecting scarce land and water resources, reducing

pollution and waste and contributing to biodiversity and landscape conservation.

Since its founding, Israel has invested major resources in fulfilling its vision. Despite severe

shortages of land and water, agricultural productivity and efficiency in Israel have grown

dramatically since the early 1950s – reaching a 4.5-fold increase per unit area and a four-

fold increase per cubic meter of water.

LINKING RESEARCH TO PRACTICE

The success of Israel’s agriculture is largely attributed to the continuous cooperation

between researchers, extension workers, farmers and agriculture-related services and

industries. The agricultural sector is based almost entirely on science-linked technology,

with government agencies, academic institutions, industry and cooperative bodies working

together to meet and overcome challenges.

A significant share of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s research and

development, carried out by the Agricultural Research Organization, is devoted to water

management, integrated pest management, climate change and arid-zone agriculture, open-

space conservation, biodiversity and gene banks, and improved efficiency of agricultural

energy use. This research is complemented and supplemented by the vital applied research

carried out by regional research and development centers, whose investigations focus on

responses to the unique climate, soil and other conditions of different regions in Israel, and

by the agricultural studies carried out in the country’s academic institutions.

Most importantly, agricultural research is translated into programs for the protection

of open landscape; soil conservation; integrated pest management; environmentally

beneficial farm practices; efficient water use and a host of technological advances, that

have helped make Israel’s agriculture productive, efficient and sustainable. For its part,

the public extension service facilitates the transfer of the know-how and the practical

integration of research findings while, at the same time, identifying knowledge gaps

requiring further research.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

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SHOSHANA GABBAY

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MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF WATER SCARCITY

The very limitations on agricultural development in Israel – most especially water

shortages and arid conditions – have catalyzed the development of unique agro-

technologies and agricultural practices, which have earned Israel the reputation of a world

leader in agricultural water use efficiency.

Reductions in the allocation of freshwater to agriculture began in the mid-1980s

in the face of increasing demand for high-quality potable water in the urban

sector by a growing population. Since then, freshwater use within total water

use in Israel has continuously decreased, going from 63% of the total in

1995 to 57.4% in 2010. Within the agricultural sector itself, the portion

of marginal water has risen substantially – from 30.2% of agriculture’s

total water consumption in 1995 to 56.8% in 2010.

Additional measures to increase water use efficiency in agriculture include the

cultivation of drought-resistant strains that require minimal water supplies or can thrive on

brackish water, development of advanced technological innovations for leak detection and

minimization of water losses during irrigation, and introduction of water-efficient irrigation

technologies and irrigation management practices.

Drip irrigation is the best known technology for efficient water use developed in Israel to

improve agricultural productivity while saving substantial amounts of water. First developed

in the 1960s, the technology was refined in subsequent years to include innovations such

as computerized systems, fertigation by applying fertilizers directly to the plant roots and

pressurized drippers which enable uniform distribution of water. Today, some 80% of the

irrigated area in Israel uses drip irrigation, with efficiency rates reaching 95%.

FOOD SECURITY

Israel has traditionally placed high priority on agriculture in order to feed its population

and build its economy. The diversity of soil and climate in Israel has led to the development

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of both open and protected agriculture, including greenhouses, net houses, cooling systems,

aeration systems, energy saving systems and more.

Similarly, the dairy industry has developed technologies to increase average milk

production two and a half times since the 1950s – from 3,900 liters annually to an average

of 11,000 liters per dairy cow, a world record.

At the same time, recognition that dairy farms are major polluters of the environment

has led to a successful reform package, implemented in the 1990s, which has made dairy

producers more efficient on the one hand, and prevented pollution on the other hand. Today

both dairy farms and poultry farms are operated as hermetically closed systems to prevent

waste leakage and potential damage to soil and groundwater and, moreover, the sludge

produced in the farms is used for energy production.

Today, in response to the global food security crisis, added efforts are being invested to

maximize efficient use of water and soil, to improve crop varieties which are resistant to

heat stress, water scarcity, pests and diseases, to develop technologies to increase yield and

post-harvest technologies to protect quality, minimize spoilage and extend shelf-life, and to

preserve varieties of food plants for future generations.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Integrated pest management (IPM) aims to reduce pesticide use in order to minimize

environmental pollution and adverse health effects and slow down the development of pest

resistance to pesticides. It is good for the consumer, good for the farmer and good

for the environment.

The Ministry of Agriculture is actively promoting the transition from traditional

chemical pest control to IPM as an effective way to deal with insect control. Projects

are wide-ranging and include, among others, the use of cover crops to protect the

soil surface, insect-proof nets, insect traps and natural enemies.

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At present, IPM is used in most of Israel’s citrus groves and is increasingly used in the

production of horticultural crops, most notably strawberries, fruit such as avocado and

mango, and peppers. In a concerted effort to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce

pesticide use, the Ministry of Agriculture announced in 2011 that all pepper and strawberry

production in Israel will be based on IPM methods within three years.

Important progress has also been made in the development and introduction of beneficial

natural enemies, such as predatory mites, predatory beetles and parasitic wasps, as

superior alternatives to chemical pesticides in terms of long-term effectiveness, cost and

safety. Biological control, largely pioneered in Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu in northeastern Israel,

has been extended to several agricultural areas in Israel, with notable results in terms of

reduced chemical pesticide use.

WITH AN EYE TO THE FUTURE

The key message of the Greening the Economy with Agriculture concept note submitted by

the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to Rio + 20 states: “As the single largest sector

using 60 percent of world’s ecosystems and providing livelihoods for 40 percent of

today’s global population, the food and agriculture sector is critical to greening the

economy. There will be no green economy without agriculture.”

Israel’s breakthrough agricultural technologies are globally recognized. They

have led to more efficient water and fertilizer use per unit of output; they have

earned Israel the reputation of a world leader in the reclamation of effluents

for agricultural irrigation. At the same time, Israel’s high rate of population

and economic growth has increased the competition for scarce land and water

resources among all sectors. Moreover, the impact of the intensive agriculture

on the environment remains a challenge and major efforts are now being directed

toward reducing the impacts – decreasing the pollution of water and air, the degradation of

the land and the pressure on biodiversity.

The challenge today is to better integrate the country’s agricultural, environmental, water

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and energy policies so as to continue to guarantee Israel’s population food security while

minimizing the use of natural resources and safeguarding the health of the environment.

Based on past performance, this challenge too will be met.

WITH AN EYE TO THE WORLD

Concurrently with its efforts to promote research and development and advance the export

of modern agricultural technologies, Israel, through MASHAV, its Agency for International

Development Cooperation, has spared no efforts to share its unique experience, assisting

developing countries in overcoming development challenges.

MASHAV has been carrying out professional training and capacity building programs in

Israel and abroad since 1958, including establishing agricultural demonstration farms and

training centers around the world. Its agricultural programming focuses on the introduction

of modern technologies and agro-technical methods that are relevant and adjustable to

local conditions, designed to increase the levels, sustainability and quality of agricultural

production to ensure food security, environmental sustainability and poverty eradication.

Its rime aim is to enhance development, economic growth and employment through

human capacity building and the transfer of expertise and technologies that have

assisted Israel’s own path to agricultural and rural development. MASHAV’s

programs are based on international agricultural training courses in Israel,

overseas on-the-spot courses and workshops, joint agricultural projects,

demonstration projects, and more.

In preparation for the Rio + 20 Conference, MASHAV and the Secretariat of the

United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development organized a High Level

Expert Meeting on “Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth and Eradicate Poverty.” The meeting, held in Israel in October 2011 and attended by

more than 70 delegates from 28 countries, including representatives of UN agencies, aimed

to raise awareness of the central role that green and sustainable agriculture can play in

stimulating economic growth, combating poverty and ensuring food security through the

sharing of knowledge, best practices and lessons learned. The focus of the meeting was on

agricultural development under conditions of limited natural resources (including water

and land) and climatic instability. Consideration was also given to the development of

policies, financial mechanisms and bio-physical management systems aimed at increasing

production efficiencies, as well as the level and stability of yields under such adverse

conditions.

In his opening statement to the meeting, Mr. Sha Zukang, UN Under-Secretary General

for Economic and Social Affairs, stated: “Israel has proven to be a leader in agricultural

technology for development, practicing innovation and implementing sustainable solutions

for agricultural development, food security, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

They have informed 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.”

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THE RIO+20 CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

THE WRITER IS THE DIRECTOR OF MASHAV’S POLICY PLANNING AND EXTERNAL

RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

he Rio+20 Conference took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during June 20-22, 2012. At

the Conference, world leaders, along with thousands of participants from governments,

the private sector, NGOs, academia and major groups, came together to shape ways to reduce

poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded

planet.

Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of

future generations to meet their own needs. Seen as the guiding principle for long-term global

development, sustainable development consists of three pillars: economic development, social

development and environmental protection.

The objective of the Conference was to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable

development, assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation

of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, and address new and

emerging challenges. The Conference focused on two themes: “A Green Economy in the Context

of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication” and “The Institutional Framework for

Sustainable Development.”

The conference looked into the new emerging global challenges such as energy, water, food

security, urbanization, the oceans, natural disasters and climate change and the future road map

for development, meaning moving from the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) to the SDGs

(Sustainable Development Goals).

The Israeli delegation to the Rio+20 Conference was led by the Minister of Environmental

Protection, Gilad Erdan, and included representatives from government ministries, the Knesset,

local government, the business community, the civil society and academia. Together with

Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Head of MASHAV, and Daniel Meron, Director of Sustainable

Development Division for the UN and International Organizations, we represented the Israeli

Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

An Israeli pavilion was set up, showcasing the achievements of the State of Israel in a variety of

areas, such as green technology, promoting sustainability, and Israel’s International Development

Cooperation Program.

During the Conference, the Israeli delegation participated and hosted various events including

an interactive learning center organized by the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) which included

teamwork activities, not only with the aim of imparting knowledge, but also to provide

consultation and practical solutions for specific cases facing the participants’ various countries.

KKL-JNF policy is to share its knowledge with communities around the world. It works in close

ILAN FLUSS

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cooperation with Israeli government ministries to achieve

best practices for land management. It has rich experience

in developing sustainable afforestation and agricultural

practices in semi-arid and arid regions. By using advanced

techniques for watershed management, soil conservation,

and biological control and drought resistant species; it is

able to turn ecological challenges into opportunities.

The Israeli delegation also hosted two side events in

cooperation with international partners: the first on Sharing and Partnering in Urban Water Solutions; and the

second on Using Green Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth, Attain Food Security and Eradicate Poverty.

In October 2011 MASHAV hosted an Expert

Group Meeting (EGM) in Israel on “Using Green

Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth,

Attain Food Security and Eradicate Poverty.” The

meeting took place in cooperation with the United Nations

Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) and

was attended by representatives from 28 member states,

three UN organizations and representatives of civil society

and major groups.

The purpose of the meeting was to raise awareness of the

central role that green and sustainable agriculture can play

in stimulating economic growth and combating poverty,

and ultimately attaining food security, through the sharing

of approaches, best practices and lessons learned.

One of the recommendations of the meeting was

to present the Expert Group Meeting Chair’s Summary at the

Rio+20 Conference. Following the EGM recommendations,

MASHAV organized the side event on Using Green

Agriculture to Stimulate Economic Growth, Attain Food

Security and Eradicate Poverty; in partnership with the

delegations of Canada, Germany, Kenya, Panama and

the United States, focused on the key points from the

EGM Chair’s Summary and presentations, outlining the

perspectives of several countries which participated in

the meeting in Israel.

The side-event was opened by Minister Erdan,

and included the following speakers: Israel’s

Chief Scientist Dr. Avi Perl; Mr. Bob Turnock ,

Agriculture and Agri-Food, Canada’s Ministry

of Agriculture; Dr. Volker Niendieker, Head of

Division 521 Sustainability and Climate Change,

Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer

Protection, Germany; Ms. Esther Magambo, Coordinator,

Climate Change Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya; Fermín

Romero, Chief of the Section of Organic Agriculture and

National Plant Protection, Panama; Dr. Elise Golan, Director

for Sustainable Development, Office of the Chief Economist,

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ambassador Carmon, Head

of MASHAV, emphasized the importance and commitment of

MASHAV to increase its development cooperation activities

and to establish new partnerships for development.

During the Israeli delegation side-event on

Green Agriculture

Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan

(right) and Ambassador Daniel Carmon Head of MASHAV

during the Conference

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THE WRITER IS A REGISTERED NURSE IN ISRAEL. SHE HAS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN NURSING FROM TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY. SHE IS CURRENTLY STUDYING FOR HER MASTER’S DEGREE AT BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE AND WORKS AS A REGISTERED NURSE AT THE PEDIATRIC CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT THE SAFRA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER IN TEL HASHOMER. SHE CONTINUES ASSISTING THE SUPPORT EFFORTS OF THE CCTU PROJECT.

had the privilege of living in Haiti for over seven months. During that time, I led a

unique MASHAV humanitarian assistance project. This experience allowed me to view

the riches of this seemingly impoverished country, and in this essay, I wish to share with you

a bit of my experience, details about the project I worked on, the incredible landscape of

Haiti and the wonderful relationships that were created during my stay.

I resided in the city of Cap-Haitiën, the largest urban center in northern Haiti, with

a population of over 250,000. The northern region is characterized by its rich vegetation,

stunningly beautiful virgin beaches and smiling people. Justinian University Hospital,

Haiti’s second largest public hospital, is located in the center of the city. Here, in April 2011,

a modular structure was built for emergency medicine use, a contribution of the State of

Israel to the people of Haiti as part of the aid efforts after the major earthquake that struck

their country about two years ago. While the earthquake rescue stage has concluded, the

country has had a long history of natural and man-made disasters, and is still on the road

to recovery. Adding to the ongoing turmoil, cholera spread throughout the country since

October 2010; an epidemic that exacerbated the people’s suffering.

Upon completion of the building’s construction, an emergency medicine unit was presented

to the hospital authorities. The objectives of the building-project were to strengthen the

emergency medicine system in the city and transfer the existing emergency room to the new

facility. A MASHAV medical team, comprised of a senior paramedic and two nurses, arrived

in May 2011 to train the local staff in the use of the newly installed auxiliary equipment in

the unit.

A local medical director, Dr. Khalil Turenne, was appointed to the unit; a young physician

with great motivation. His vision and considerable efforts made it possible to overcome

considerable obstacles, logistical issues and restrictions resulting from inadequate local

conditions. The transfer of the emergency room to the new building was delayed for various

reasons, and when I arrived at the hospital on my first day in late July 2011, I found the

unit’s door had been locked.

The first step was to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the old emergency room

in order to better understand what would be needed to ensure that the unit could fully

function within the new building. As part of the assessment I held interviews with many

AYITI CHERI – BELOVED HAITI

SHIRLY KAHANA

I

13

14 15

of the hospital’s staff members, who were eager to cooperate with me.

Strong personal relationships were formed during the process, which greatly

contributed to the success of the mission. We worked together to organize the

unit for work and waited for an opportunity to begin admitting patients.

Dr. Turenne and I, with the support of the hospital’s

management, gathered a small and dedicated team

of doctors, interns and two senior nurses, who all

believed in the importance of working in the

new facility and foresaw its great potential for

improving the hospital’s emergency medicine

system. We devoted our time and efforts

to building a functional unit, in spite of

facing many obstacles. The creation

of this management and training

team became the backbone of all

future development. The approach

guiding our team was to work

towards a future of durability

and sustainability for this

unit while developing both

working and education

frameworks for the future.

The daily encounters

and work-related goals

among this devoted

team greatly enriched

my experience in Haiti.

These special people, jointly and

individually, became for me, and for the entire hospital and

community, a professional and human inspiration. They demonstrated how

motivation and devotion can influence and change an environment of limited

resources in conflicted and struggling locales.

This wonderful team was joined by Avraham Gutman, a young and particularly

talented Israeli EMT (emergency medical technician). He saw in the project

a worthy cause and volunteered for two months to join me in the campaign to

assist and support the local team in building and operating the unit.

An organization called “Konbit Sante”, loosely translated as “A Community

of Health”, which has operated as a partner of the hospital for over 10 years,

became a great support and assistance to the unit and to me personally. Nate

Nickerson, its director in the field, shared his extensive know-how with me.

We discussed hospital procedures, the local culture, optimism and despair,

frustration and expectations. Nate, who is by training an ICU nurse, holds a

doctorate in international public health, and is an exceptionally modest man,

outlined for me the great challenges facing the unit. He and the Konbit Sante

staff, made up mainly of dedicated local employees, were an encouraging

source of support and cooperation for me and for the unit staff to this day.

The initial goal for the unit was to offer patient admission and treatment

for patients in need of higher levels of care. Considering the various barriers

14 15

to achieving that goal, I suggested opening the unit for a trial run using the means at our

disposal for its operation, in order to demonstrate that it could be successful. Although this

was a novel idea, it was adopted by the hospital authorities. It was decided that interns,

student nurses and the devoted but small unit team would constitute the staff over the

following few months, thereby forming the minimal base of human resources needed for the

work. It was also decided that the unit would admit only critical care and trauma patients

that our limited resources could cater to. We renamed the unit the CCTU (Critical Care and

Trauma Unit), adopted the motto “this is what we have and with this we will win”, which

was translated into Creole, and began working with our new approach.

The cooperation and openness of the team allowed an active learning process with

my guidance and support. In this framework admission criteria were written, based on

evidence-based protocols adjusted to local needs and realities. The concept of “triage”

(sorting of patients) was introduced, a patient database was created, and protocols and

reports were written. Appropriate training programs were developed alongside the unit’s

new training team, all taking into account the difficulties and limitations of the local reality.

The main approach that guided me was the belief that we must build up and support the

team’s capacity for independent work in the future.

Continuing MASHAV’s support of the project, another team of Israeli experts was sent

during September 2011, including a doctor and nurse, to assist in the implementation of

a week-long intensive training program in conjunction with the local training team. This

cooperation proved highly productive and under its auspices the training team gained

experience in the process of planning and implementing a complex training program

and an understanding of future study needs. This experience proved itself as a positive

contribution in all aspects to a professional and independent training one-day seminar that

the team organized and executed for 120 interns starting their yearlong internship in the

hospital later that month.

The training team was joined in February 2012 by a professional emergency medicine

team from an American organization called JHI – Jewish Healthcare International. The

week-long training was led successfully by Mrs. Leanna Cossman and was very well

received by all. JHI in cooperation with MASHAV’s support and experts, and together with

‘Konbit Sante’, are presently considering the best ways to continue the education and

administrative management training and the support of the unit in the future.

16 17

During my stay in Haiti many people visited the CCTU, including the current

Haitian President’s wife, Madame Sophia Martelly; government organizations

from the USA and France; international health organizations; NGOs; charity

organizations; and local community dignitaries and leaders. Many expressed

their appreciation of the Israeli efforts to contribute to the strengthening of

emergency medicine capacity in the region. Without exception, the unit and its

staff generated much praise.

About six months after first opening the unit

doors to patients, the Haitian Ministry of Health

appointed some of the original unit team

members as permanent staff. We are still

awaiting the appointment of a permanent

nursing staff that will ensure sustainable

care possibilities. We have established

working relations with the other

hospital departments, organized

a method of storage and efficient

use of equipment, and we have

worked hard to find solutions

to problems such as the lack

of constant oxygen and

blood supply. As of today,

over 300 patients have

been treated in the

unit. Well after my

departure, the unit

is still functioning

within the same

framework, and

in June 2012 the

unit’s professional

team, alongside the

hospital directors, successfully managed a

mass casualty event involving 53 patients injured in a bus crash. The unit’s

staff has a great deal of work ahead of them, and will require continued

guidance and support in order to ensure independent, sustainable working

mechanisms; however, my faith in the people of Justinian University Hospital is

great and I have no doubt that the seeds sown will grow and prosper.

We are looking optimistically to a sustainable future of education and

work with a far greater capacity. It remains for me to express gratitude for

having had the opportunity to participate in this fascinating process in which

every day brought a new challenge, testing the limits of creativity, tolerance,

professionalism and optimism. I am also grateful for all the great friendships

planted deep in my heart and all the images that will never be erased from

my memory. This is a project that constitutes an example of the ability of the

State of Israel to remember where it came from, and to try and share this

understanding and experience by accompanying others on their way.

T

16 17

DR. ISAAK BEJERANO

AQUACULTURE AS A COMPONENT OF FOOD SECURITY

he world’s supply of fish from natural habitats is being depleted, and the quality of

marine ecological systems throughout the world is declining, except in a few places

where environmental awareness is more evident and strict enforcement is applied. In order

to supply the constantly growing demand, the branch of aquaculture has been developing

at a rapid rate over the past few years.

There are a number of natural causes that can bring about the deterioration of water

quality, for instance the growth of algae, invasion of non-endemic species, or changing

quantities of sediment. But man-made factors, including unsuccessful developmental

strategies, have caused, and still cause, some of the gravest damage to marine ecological

systems, hastening their deterioration to the extent that all life in the water is threatened,

as it is on land.

The world’s lakes and seas are closely connected to the daily life of the communities that

surround them. Many lakes were and still are the only source of livelihood and of communities

which depend mainly on fishing. Non-sustainable use of soil, nonexistent development, and

the desire for quick profits are some of the reasons for the widespread deterioration. In many

cases unplanned development has critically affected the communities living in the area of

the water, severely damaging their quality of life, nutrition and food security.

The development of aquaculture in the developing world is expected to lessen the effects

of over-fishing and the damage to natural resources, as well as improving food security and

safety for the populations described above.

Real and effective changes can be made using relatively simple tools that can provide food

and income on the one hand, while preserving natural resources for future generations on

the other. However, rapid development poses risks that have to be taken into account during

the program’s implementation. The communities of fishermen, fish breeders and farmers or

settlers with access to water sources, and those who want to breed fish, are the main target

populations for MASHAV’s development assistance activities in the field of mariculture.

When implementing such development programs, there is a need to adjust them to

the nature of the future production scheme. Fish producers and breeders are therefore

categorized according to their size, the scope of production, the type of fish and marketing

aims.

The basic framework is the family with a pond or two in the yard. This traditional way of

fish breeding is intended to meet the needs of a family, while providing a small surplus for

local marketing. Larger frameworks relate to larger fish farms, which are either government

DR. BEJERANO IS A MICROBIOLOGIST AND WATER QUALITY SCIENTIST.

19

or privately owned. Those involved in fish farms require professional, practical and

theoretical knowledge at all levels of operation, from fish breeding to farm planning up to

the management level, including product care and marketing.

ISRAEL’S RELATIVE ADVANTAGE

MASHAV has been working for many years in the field of agricultural assistance to the

developing world, based on the accumulated experience of 70 years of fish breeding

in Israel. Israel’s know-how and experience are uniquely valuable and meaningful for

developing countries, some of which face a lack of natural resources or arid or semi-arid

conditions.

In the field of aquaculture, Israel has achieved impressive results that have made it a leader

in several areas that are at the heart of development cooperation:

� Fish breeding – diversified technologies for production of different fish species,

under changing intensification conditions (ponds, cages and recirculating

systems).

� Planning and management of a farm – structural principles of fishponds, kinds

of facilities and equipment for fish breeding; data collection and registration.

�

Water quality – water as a medium for life, limnology of fishponds. Importance

of water quality for fish breeding; health aspects of fish, dependent on

water quality; adaptation of fish breeds to different water qualities (salinity,

temperature, etc.).

� Fish and marine animals – morphology and anatomy; fish breeds in

aquaculture, biological aspects of different breeds; types of interface according

to fish species.

� Fish health – causes of disease, diagnosis and treatment, prevention interface.

� Feeding and nutrition – principles of fish nutrition; feed production for different

fish species (use of raw materials).

� Fish propagation – production of fingerlings, naturally or induced, with

hormonal control; production of mono-sex population; planning and

maintenance of breeding schools.

� Feasibility analysis and economical consideration – cost and production aspects

for establishment and continuous maintenance.

� Unionization and cooperative organizations for fish production and marketing.

Professional programs are offered at different levels, from basic material intended for

the domestic fish grower, to the academic institutions dealing with aquaculture, and are

designed to take into consideration available manpower and the physical conditions existing

at the site while taking care not to disrupt the existing traditional labor frameworks.

18

19

he fish stocks in Lake Victoria are dwindling, and, at the same time, the demand

for fish is rising. As a result, the prices of Tilapia, the preferred fish of the region,

have doubled over the past two years. Research shows that tilapia can also be produced in

fish farms, thus creating an alternative source of income which can significantly contribute

to attaining food security.

With the goals of increasing the income of fish farmers’ households, eradicating poverty

in the region and improving the Lake Victoria ecosystem, Kenya, Germany and Israel joined

hands in a trilateral cooperation to improve the farmed tilapia value chain in Kenya.

The cooperating partners include Kenya’s Ministry of Fisheries Development (MoFD),

the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs through MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International

Development Cooperation, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and

Development through its implementing partner Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale

Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Head of MASHAV, stated that, “although the infrastructure

for raising tilapia in ponds around Lake Victoria already exists, in Israel, agriculturalists are

able to produce higher yields of fish, therefore we are sharing with our Kenyan partners

Israeli best-practices to increase fish yields and thus ensure better income for the local

fishermen.”

The trilateral agreement states two main cooperation areas aiming at the improvement

of the ecosystem of Lake Victoria, based on the needs of the region and the respective

comparative advantages of the partners: the promotion of tilapia fish farming as a business

with an emphasis on “pro-poor” action by supporting capacity-building activities for

establishing tilapia aquaculture; and a contribution to the improvement of wastewater

management around Lake Victoria.

Ambassador Carmon explained that the lake is suffering from an uncontrolled growth of

vegetation that is harming fish habitat, and causing an ecological imbalance that needs to

be addressed. Hence, the two main areas covered in the cooperation agreement will jointly

contribute to reduce the ecological pressure, as well as protect the quality of the lake’s water

as one of the main freshwater reservoirs in Africa. Moreover, a shared objective will be the

reduction of tilapia overfishing, thereby stabilizing the tilapia population of the lake, while

at the same time generating a stable income alternative for the fishermen.

The official launching of the project and the signing of the trilateral agreement took place

in Kisumu, Kenya, on August 16, 2012, in the presence of the Prime Minister of Kenya,

AQUACULTURE PROJECT IN LAKE VICTORIA

ISRAEL-KENYA-GERMANY TRILATERAL COOPERATION

AVNIT RIFKIN

T

(From left to right)

Prime Minister of Kenya,

H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga;

Danny Ayalon Deputy

Foreign Minister of Israel;

and Dirk Niebel Federal

Minister of Economic

Cooperation and

Development of

the Federal Republic

of Germany

Signing ceremony of

the trilateral agreement

during the official

launching of the

project in Kisumu

20

H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga. Signing on behalf of the parties were

Dirk Niebel, Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and

Development of the Federal Republic of Germany; Amason Kingi,

Kenya’s Minister for Fisheries Development, and Danny Ayalon,

Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel.

Following the ceremony a Tripartite Implementation Agreement

was co-signed by Prof. Micheni J. Ntiba, Permanent Secretary,

Kenya’s Ministry of Fisheries Development; Mr. Hendrik

Linneweber, Country Director GIZ Kenya; Dr. Andrea Bahm,

Program Manager Promotion of Private Sector Development

in Agriculture (GIZ); and Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Head of

MASHAV.

FARMED TILAPIA VALUE CHAIN

The value-chain concept is a market-oriented business model

that refers to all the activities involved in the production cycle of

a specific product, from primary production, up to final purchase

by the consumer. In order for all those involved in the value

chain to benefit from it, it is important to bring all the players

together and address the drawbacks of every link in the chain.

In the case of the farmed tilapia value chain these include inputs

supply, the availability of quality feeds, pond management

and marketing.

The value-chain approach usually begins from market demand

rather than from supply demand. This enables the entrepreneurs

22

to identify other players and facilitators who may influence their production process and

thus recognize their potential contribution in removing obstacles on the road to product

development.

RAMOGI INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES – RIAT

The challenges facing the tilapia value chain were identified based on the results of

an analysis carried out at the beginning of 2012, and on the outcome of a Tilapia Value

Chain Workshop organized for stakeholders from the sector. Challenges include the need to

improve the ability of supplying quality fingerlings at affordable prices; the provision and

availability of affordable and high-quality feeds; the need for increased business orientation

on small-scale fish farms; and the establishment of a collective marketing system.

To address these challenges, a professional fish-farming capacity building and training

unit was established at the Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technologies (RIAT) in Kisumu.

New capacity building programs are currently being combined with the Institute’s existing

training activities. The unit was officially inaugurated following the signing ceremony of

the Joint Trilateral Tilapia Cooperation Project. Ambassador Carmon noted that the issue of

wastewater treatment as included in the agreement will be the focus of the second stage of

the project. Following an outcome assessment, it is intended to expand the project to include

Uganda and Tanzania.

22 23

FORMULATING A COMPREHENSIVE DRUG REDUCTION STRATEGY:THE ISRAELI MODEL

YUDITH ROSENTHAL

THE WRITER IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFRI INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER.

rug abuse is a global problem. It destroys lives and communities and affects

people worldwide. Drug abuse has devastating social and economic consequences

for all members of the community and society. Over the years, it has become clear

that the drug problem needs to be addressed in terms of reducing both demand and

supply, two interconnected issues which must be incorporated as part of an integral drug

control strategy.

Although governments are increasingly implementing integrated demand and supply

reduction approaches and strategies, in many cases there exists a clear lack of coordination

between all relevant agencies.

Israel’s experience in incorporating demand reduction approaches into its national drug

control strategies, while emphasizing the essential need for effective cooperation and

coordination between the relevant government ministries and non-governmental entities

involved in the battle against drugs, can serve as a showcase for other countries facing

similar challenges.

Since 1988, Israel’s drug control efforts have been coordinated by the Israel Anti-Drug

Authority (IADA). Under IADA’s umbrella, professionals in governmental and non-

governmental agencies work together to tackle drug-related issues in Israel.

This coordination includes cooperation stretching across all areas of drug control, from

prevention and treatment to law enforcement. A key issue of Israel’s drug control strategy

and an integral aspect of the national strategy is demand reduction.

Demand reduction is addressed at all levels, with programs ranging from primary

prevention programs at schools and in communities, to prevention programs for IDF soldiers

to harm-reduction programs aimed at drug abusers. Programs are based on the belief that

different communities and subpopulations have different needs; therefore all programs

should be culture and gender sensitive.

Israel’s diverse population is composed of immigrants from all over the world. The various

predominant religious and ethnic groups form a heterogeneous population of different

backgrounds, cultures and customs. With this diversity in mind, culture-sensitive programs

have been created addressing the needs and characteristics of the different groups.

Treatment and rehabilitation programs are offered to all those harmed by drugs, with the

belief that each individual requires a different kind of treatment.

D

25

Programs include drug substitution methods, detox centers and residential treatment

facilities, and are specifically tailored for all types of sub-populations, ranging from young

people to those drug abusers currently in the prison system.

The belief that sharing knowledge and working together are essential elements in the

global war against drugs has lead to a strategic partnership between the IADA and the

Ofri International Training Center, within the framework of MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for

International Development Cooperation, with the aim of sharing with other countries the

knowledge, best practices and experience accumulated in Israel.

IADA’s vast experience in sharing and exchanging knowledge derives from establishing

and fostering relations with other countries all over the world. Over the years, IADA has

hosted a large number of international delegations from countries including Croatia,

Singapore, Russia, Costa Rica and Romania, who come to Israel to learn about its drug-

control efforts and strategies. With regional cooperation on the rise, and with the assistance

25

of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Regional

Office in Cairo, IADA has strengthened its relations with the

Palestinian Authority, hosting workshops and study tours.

Based on the Israeli experience in the field, a program

on “Formulating a Comprehensive Drug Strategy – The

Israeli Model” was jointly formulated by IADA and the

Ofri Center, for professionals from developing countries

who work in the field, and more specific in the areas of

prevention, treatment, and law enforcement. The program

was held in Israel in July 2012, with the participation of 29

professionals from Angola, Benin, Belarus, Cameroon, El

Salvador, Georgia, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kosovo,

Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Nigeria, Serbia, Uganda, Thailand

and Vietnam.

The main goal of the program was to offer participants an

in-depth overview of Israel’s drug-control strategy, based

on the work done by the Israel Anti-Drug Authority as the

principal coordinating body in the field; as well as stressing

the importance of coordination between all agencies

involved in the country’s drug-control strategy by exposing

the participants to Israel’s demand-reduction strategy, as

an integral component of the national drug-control strategy

by emphasizing all related issues: prevention, treatment

and rehabilitation, community action and more.

The course included lectures and workshops emphasizing

group work, interactive teaching, role playing, and

additional participatory techniques. Some of the topics

dealt with during the course were IADA’s structure, goals

and strategies; prevention programs, approaches, theories

and policies; treatment and rehabilitation programs and

policies; community development; surveys and evaluation

methods; and human resource training.

The overall goals of the programs were to address the

specific needs of the participating countries and generating

a personal commitment among the course participants

to promote drug control efforts in their countries and

communities based on the models developed in Israel.

The course also encouraged continuing and meaningful

partnerships between Israel and the participating

delegations, including assistance in the implementation of

programs and strategies in their countries, while providing

an exceptional platform for exchange of knowledge

between participants based on their national experiences.

26 27

LEVERAGING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND INNOVATION FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

AMANDINE DESILLE

THE WRITER IS THE PROGRAM’S COORDINATOR AT THE WEITZ CENTER FOR

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

he promotion of innovation and creativity among economic players is essential to

reinforce local development. Through focusing on the local assets available and their

protection and promotion, it permits a region to better compete at national and global levels.

The strengthening of competitiveness must be achieved at the economic level, but also at the

social and environmental level. A region must ensure the promotion of local entrepreneurship

and business development, as well as provide the relevant social and environmental components

to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

Yet emerging regions worldwide often fail to harness and protect their local assets for

development. Available human, social, economical and even environmental resources “leak

out of the bucket.” Skilled population migrates to more attractive centers, businesses establish

outside the region, and innovation and creation are not fostered in the local area.

To better compete at national and global levels, and enhance their development processes,

regions should reinforce the innovation process. The implication of this process for a range of

economical sectors should be reevaluated. Finally, the role and involvement of the different actors

along the innovation process – from academia to governments and the entrepreneurs themselves

– should be thought differently.

The State of Israel, often referred as the “start-up nation”, has been recognized as a global

leader, leveraging innovation, creativity, competitiveness and entrepreneurship for development.

Israel has the largest pool of companies listed on NASDAQ, challenging the USA. The country

has the second highest concentration of high-tech companies in the world, after the well-known

Silicon Valley. And Israel has succeeded in maintaining a stable rate of growth and overcome

world economic crisis challenges.

Different factors contribute to fostering its very dynamic economy. Israel is the residence of

numerous researchers, and the country ranks first worldwide for the number of scientists per

10,000 workers, while its scientific research is ranked third worldwide1. Israel invests largely

in Research & Development, this sector accounting for 4.7% of GDP2. Israel therefore ranks first

worldwide in terms of R&D investments. Additionally, its venture capital market is the second

largest worldwide3.

T

1 Ministry of Industry and Trade in Israel, 20052 National Science Foundation, 2010 3 European Investment Bank, 2001

26 27

However, these factors could not have brought sustainable

development at regional and local levels without adequate

policies and support systems in developing and protecting

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and without adapting

innovation processes and entrepreneurship leverage to

local development context.

In this context, the Weitz Center for Development Studies

and MASHAV developed a training program integrating the

work of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

and harnessing the Israeli experience in the field.

Conducted in December 2011, the training program was

attended by 24 participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan,

Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and

Uzbekistan. All participants held managerial positions

in the Ministries of Economy, of Education and of Justice

of their countries, as well as at agencies of Intellectual

Property, universities and academic institutions.

Combining WIPO’s experience in using the IPR system

to stimulate innovation and creativity for economic

development, as well as the Weitz Center’s experience

in innovations in peripheral areas for local economic

development, this 12-day training program enabled

participants to learn about available legal tools to protect

Intellectual Property Rights in Israel; to better understand

how national policies and programs can stimulate

innovation; to value the importance of national and local

support systems and services for local socio-economic

development; and to better understand the roles of the

different actors along the innovation process.

Participants also benefited from first-hand experiences

while visiting Israel. They visited and applied research

agricultural center in the Negev, a Tel Aviv University

knowledge transfer company (Ramot), a technological

incubator located in Misgav industrial park, a bio-tour of

Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, and more.

Following the success of the program, MASHAV, WIPO

and the Weitz Center are now planning a new professional

program to foster innovation and leverage of IPRs for

local sustainable development in target regions through

capacity building and institutional development. The

program will target professionals from sub-Saharan

countries. The program is planned to include various

phases including a seminar in Israel (December 2012) to

expose the participants to the Israeli experiences relevant

to developing countries in leveraging Innovation and

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for local development.

The seminar will be followed by an on-site project. A case

study will be presented, including the created model’s

principles and the lessons learnt.

29

GTHE WEITZ CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

STRENGTHENS ITS POSITIONING IN PROVIDING GREEN GROWTH-RELATED TRAININGS

Green growth is the means by which the current economy can make the transition to

a sustainable economy. Economic and social sustainability on the one hand, and social and

environmental sustainability on the other, have been found to be not only compatible, but also

largely complementary. Not so with economic and environmental sustainability, as growth has

come largely at the expense of the environment, which is the reason why Green Growth aims to

ensure that economic and environmental sustainability are compatible.

Green Growth policies typically include aspects of mitigation of climate change and energy

independence; creation of new engines for economic growth, as the development of green

technologies or greening of industries; and improvements in quality of life and livelihoods,

greening the land and water or creating green transport infrastructure.

Green growth is a very relevant concept for the developing world. Indeed, even if economic

growth is essential to alleviate poverty, build livelihoods and improve the quality of life, it is not

the only essential ingredient. Green Growth builds on existing policies and measures. It reinforces

the need to address the social, economic and environmental dimensions of development. It places

further emphasis on growth as a central driver of development and seeks to promote a better

valuation of natural and social assets in decision-making processes to remove inefficiencies in

the current economic model, that have led to environmental degradation, pollution and climate

change.

On October 23, 2011, the Israeli government approved the proposal of the Minister of

Environmental Protection and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor to prepare a national

green growth strategy for the country for the years 2012 to 2020. As of today, the national plan,

scheduled for submission for government approval in 2012, will outline current and future

measures for achieving green growth, review the cost/benefit of each of the recommended

steps, set forth targets and tools for their implementation, and define economic, social and

environmental outcome indicators to track the success of the plan in achieving its targets.

In recent years, the Weitz Center has been exposing professionals from developing countries

to the benefits of harnessing environmental assets for local development. The center carries

out an annual training program on poverty-environment linkages, within the framework of

MASHAV and in partnership with UNEP (the UN Environment Program). Last year, the center

also organized an international training program on leveraging urban nature and biodiversity

for local development.

This October, the Weitz Center staff will have the opportunity to introduce the Israeli

experience to Vietnamese leaders during a MASHAV on-site training seminar on Green

Growth-oriented Local Sustainable Development, to be held in the cities of Hanoi and

Danang. The Weitz Center and MASHAV will take a step forward integrating in their 2013

program, and will offer an international training program on “Green Growth – Policy

Measures as a Tool for Local and Regional Sustainable Development”.

28

29

The Embassy of Israel together with

the Shalom Club members organized a

special activity for the children of

Meycauayan City, Bulacan, and in cooperation

with a feeding program at the Sto. Nino Parish

Hall. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines

H.E. Menashe Bar-On together with Madame

Esther Bar-On and Deputy Chief of Mission

MASHAV maintains contact with many of its former course participants through its network of

more 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.

Yaniv Revach, treated the children to a party

full of fun and laughter. Meycauayan is a first-

class urbanized city in the province of Bulacan,

which has endured severe typhoons including

Typhoon Pedring.

The Philippines Shalom Club, led by Ms. Zeny

Ubaldo, is very active. The Nueva Ecija Chapter,

with nearly 80 members, old and new, is the

biggest and one of the most active chapters in

the Philippines. As the site of MASHAV’s project

in the country, the Philippine-Israel Center for

Agricultural Training (PICAT), the province sent

more than 50 participants to MASHAV courses

between 2008 and 2011.

The New Delhi Chapter of the Shalom

Club India was officially launched in

September at the India International

Center in New Delhi, in the presence of over

40 graduates from MASHAV courses and the

staff of the Israeli Embassy. During the event,

participants were briefed regarding the different

MASHAV agricultural programs being carried

out in several areas of the country. The new

chapter is considering various activities for the

coming months.

PH

ILIP

PIN

ES

IND

IA

SHALOM CLUBS

The bi-annual meeting of the

Ecuador Shalom Club took place

in June in Riobamba with the

participation of over 60 MASHAV course

alumni from all over the country and in the

presence of Israel’s Ambassador to Ecuador

Eyal Sela and the Embassy’s staff. The event

included a professional visit to a MASHAV

alumni’s greenhouse, where Israeli technology

is being used in the production of tomatoes;

and professional presentations in the areas

of teachers’ training in indigenous and early

childhood education. Following the meeting,

the Shalom Club members decided to create

a voluntary consulting body to assist in the

development of different areas of the country.

The Shalom Club Paraguay together

with the cultural association

“Friends of Israel” organized in April

a Solidarity Campaign to the remote indigenous

community of Jerusalem. A delegation

comprised of members of both associations

distributed clothes, school supplies, medicines

and food, which were donated by various

EC

UA

DO

RP

AR

AG

UA

Y

organizations. This program has been carried

out for several years and it will be expanded to

include additional vulnerable communities.

The re-launching of the Kenyan

chapter of MASHAV’s alumni Shalom

Club took place in May at the Nairobi

International Conference Center (KICC), in the

presence of the Israeli Ambassador to Kenya

H.E. Gil Haskel. During the event, elections were

held for a new management board that will lead

the Shalom Club in its future endeavors.

KE

NYA

30

The Head of MASHAV, Ambassador Daniel Carmon, and

Dr. Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator, signed in April a

Memorandum of Understanding in Washington to enhance

bilateral cooperation on food security within the framework

of the “Feed the Future” Initiative focusing initially on

Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Shah said that the US

recognizes Israel’s achievements “in specific areas that

are of increasing value to some of our top priorities,”

especially Israel’s expertise in water conservation, dry-land

management, and the “ability to turn arid lands into highly

productive farms.”

Ambassador Carmon stated that “development plays

a more and more important role in Israel’s foreign policy.

It’s our obligation as an OECD member to assist with

the development of other countries. MASHAV has been

working for over 54 years in the developing world sharing

Israel’s unique technologies and expertise to overcome

development challenges.”

USAID and MASHAV are committed to combating poverty

and hunger, by working with partner institutions in

developing countries to increase food security. The two

agencies plan to work together on improving agricultural

MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

MASHAV AND USAID SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT TO ENHANCE GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT

A cooperation agreement was signed between the Vinnitsa

City Council in Ukraine and MASHAV aimed at improving

the local medical and health-care services. Within the

framework of the agreement, MASHAV has recently

completed the establishment of a modern diagnostic

center, which included renovating infrastructures and the

installation of medical equipment including CT scanners

and radiological and ultrasound facilities. During his official

visit to Ukraine in July, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister

of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman inaugurated the newly

established medical center. MASHAV will also provide

professional training for the operation and maintenance of

the new center.

ISRAEL-UKRAINE COOPERATION

production and productivity; reducing pre- and post-harvest

losses; irrigation and water technology; and cross-cutting

issues, including implementation of applied research and

development results, gender issues, capacity building,

nutrition, and climate change.

Achieving real progress on global food security requires new

approaches and new partnerships. By working together at

both the strategic and operational levels, MASHAV and

USAID can extend the impact and increase the efficiency of

their programs and thus achieve better outcomes.

31

ISRAEL AND UNIDO SIGN AID COOPERATION AGREEMENT

MASHAV and the United Nations Industrial Development

Organization (UNIDO) signed in May a Memorandum of

Understanding to increase cooperation on food security,

water management, the empowerment of women and

industrial development in Africa and in least developed

countries. This is an additional step in creating international

partnerships in the area of development, and a recognition

and appreciation of Israel’s abilities in and contribution to

global development.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the

Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr.

Rafael Barak. Signing the agreement on behalf of the UN

was the Director General of UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella.

The Head of MASHAV, Ambassador Daniel Carmon, signed

on behalf of Israel. The cooperation between MASHAV

and UNIDO builds on the two organizations’ mutual and

complementary capabilities and will focus on capacity

building in such areas as agriculture-related technologies

and biotechnology; support to small and medium

industrial enterprises; women’s empowerment; women’s

entrepreneurship development; rural entrepreneurship

development; and environment and sustainability.

A memorandum of Understanding was signed in October

between the three parties establishing the guidelines for a

trilateral cooperation program aimed at setting a common

framework to assist Senegal in its efforts to promote and

sustain a fair socio-economic development process. The

TRILATERAL COOPERATION ISRAEL-SENEGAL-ITALY

DEVELOPMENT DIALOGUES

In order to advance the UN international development

agenda beyond 2015 and in accordance with the Busan

Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, MASHAV

has established an active dialogue for development

with other donor countries and with fellow donor

agencies to map out the strengths and challenges of the

Millennium Development Goals. Two such dialogues took

place in February:

Israel-Germany: An Israeli delegation headed by the

Head of MASHAV, Ambassador Daniel Carmon, met with

officials from The German Federal Ministry for Economic

Development Cooperation (BMZ); the Foreign Ministry; the

German Chancellor’s Office; and the Ministry of Agriculture;

and with representatives from UNCCD (The United Nations

Convention to Combat Desertification) and UNFCCC (The

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).

agreement states that training activities will be based

on Italian and Israeli best practices and be designed

around specific pro-poor oriented projects. The program

will be implemented by a qualified staff in terms of both

professional expertise and institutional qualifications.

Different aspects of cooperation between the parties

were discussed during the meetings, with the aim of

exploring elements for a future framework of international

cooperation for development. Israel and Germany are

currently cooperating in Ethiopia, Kenya and Ghana, and

are discussing the possibility of expanding cooperation to

additional countries.

Israel-France: The first development dialogue took place

in France, following the Cooperation Agreement signed

between Israel and France in 2012. The parties including,

among others, representatives from MASHAV and the AFD

(Agence Française de Développement), presented during

the dialogue their policies, approaches, methodology and

tools for development. Main fields for future cooperation

were discussed, including food security (agriculture and

irrigation), health, and gender issues.

32 MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

AGRITECH ISRAEL 2012

The 18th International Agricultural Technology Exhibition,

Agritech, one of the world’s most important exhibitions in

the field of agricultural technologies, was held in May, at

the Israel Trade Fairs and Convention Center in Tel Aviv.

The exhibition program included the Conference of the

International Committee for Plastics in Agriculture (CIPA),

held once every three years, with the participation of

distinguished speakers.

Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Head of MASHAV, took part

in CIPA’s professional panel on Implementing Advanced Agricultural Technologies in Developing Countries – Challenges, Practices and Vision; and presented “Israel’s

Contribution to Global Food Security and Enhancement of

Sustainable Agriculture.” Participants in MASHAV’s courses

who were in Israel attended the Conference.

During Agritech 2012, MASHAV hosted a High-Level

Dialogue on Agricultural Innovations for Integrated Rural Development with the participation of Israel’s Minister of

Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms. Orit Noked, who

opened the event; visiting Ministers from around the world;

and other high-level officials. International cooperation and

the sharing of best practices and solutions for integrated

rural development are of utmost importance for developing

countries, where the challenges of food security, poverty

and hunger are most acute. The purpose of the event was to

share innovative approaches and agricultural technologies

developed and implemented by Israel.

THE 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRYLANDS, DESERTS AND DESERTIFICATION

The Conference took place at the Sede Boqer campus of Ben-

Gurion University of the Negev, in November, along with

The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev the Jacob Blaustein

Institutes for Desert Research, UNESCO, the UNCCD and the

Israeli Foreign Ministry. The Sede Boqer Conference has

emerged as an important global gathering of scientists,

field workers, industry, government, CSOs, international

development aid agencies and other stakeholders from

over 60 countries concerned about land degradation in the

drylands, and their sustainable use and development.

The Conference focused on the outcome of Rio+20 (UN

Conference on Sustainable Development – UNCSD) and

considered the science required for implementing the UNCSD

recommendations relevant to drylands and desertification,

and provided an opportunity for a diverse group of experts,

policy makers and land managers to consider a range of

theoretical and practical issues associated with combating

desertification and living sustainably in the drylands.

3333

34 MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM INTRODUCED IN ACCRA, GHANA

The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Alfred O.

Vanderpuije, and Israeli Ambassador

H.E. Sharon Bar-li welcomed in May

the participants of MASHAV’s first Early

Childhood Education (ECE) course in

Accra, the capital city of Ghana. This

course marks the first stage of the

implementation of the very successful

ECE program piloted in Kumasi three

years ago by MASHAV and the

Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI). The

program focuses on using proven Israeli

knowledge and experience in the field

of ECE and training qualified teachers

in Ghana focusing on the approach of

“Learn through Play” approach.

Following the commencement of the

ECE project in Accra, the First Lady of

Ghana, Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills, arrived

in a presidential visit to review the ECE

project in Kumasi. The First Lady was

accompanied by Ambassador Bar-li and

MASHAV’s experts Janette Hirschmann

and Aviva Ben-Hefer. Together, they

visited the kindergartens participating

in the project, where the First Lady was

introduced to the flexible class concept

and experienced the “Learn through

Play” approach.

The High-Level Symposium took place in November at

the Ofri International Training Center, near Jerusalem,

under the auspices of MASHAV and of the International

Taskforce on Teachers for Education for All (EFA). The

goal of the Symposium was to contribute to an exchange

of ideas regarding the challenge of improving the

educational systems of different countries, and served

as a platform to explore and analyze new perspectives.

It focused on the use of technology and educational

performance, including the impact of digital media,

attitudes, learning methodologies, and the implications

HIGH-LEVEL SYMPOSIUM ON EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ICT

these have on education and teacher preparation. The

Symposium also presented the Israeli experience in

education innovation in applying a holistic approach

focused on the implementation of far-reaching curriculum

changes; the creation of relevant digital contents for use

in education; supplying ongoing support and professional

training; and the creation and maintenance of essential

infrastructures. Participants included Deputy Ministers

of Education and Directors General of Education Ministries,

as well as high-level experts in ICT for Education and

teacher development.

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Alfred O. Vanderpuije, and Israeli Ambassador

H.E. Sharon Bar-li inaugurating the ECE project in Accra

The First Lady of Ghana during her visit

35

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

An international workshop, entitled Profiles of Trafficking: Patterns, Populations and Policies took place at the Golda

Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center in

May, under the auspices of MASHAV and in cooperation

with the Ministry of Justice and the US Embassy in

Tel Aviv.

The OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation

in Europe) Special Representative and Coordinator for

Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Maria Grazia

Giammarinaro, spoke at the workshop underlining that

victims of trafficking are subjected to multiple violations

of human rights.

Ms. Giammarinaro also meet with the Israeli National Anti-

Trafficking Coordinator, the Head of MASHAV, the Head of

the Parliamentary Sub-Committee for Anti Trafficking in

Women, as well as other senior public officials from the

Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Interior, and Social Affairs

and Social Services.

TAILOR-MADE WORKSHOP FOR DELEGATION FROM TURKMENISTAN

A group of 24 women entrepreneurs from

Turkmenistan took in August a 17-day tailor-made

Workshop on Development of Entrepreneurship

for Women’s Empowerment. This first professional

training activity took place within the framework

of the Memorandum of Understanding signed

between MASHAV and the UNDP Turkmenistan

in 2011.

The entrepreneurs (among them business

consultants and UNDP officials) from different

regions of the country represented both small

and large businesses. The purpose of the

program was to present the Israeli experience

in building/expanding a small business effectively as a tool of

economic empowerment and strengthening the status of women.

ISRAELI EMBASSY IN ETHIOPIA REACHES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY

On the occasion of Israel’s 64th independence

anniversary, marked on April 26, the Embassy of

Israel in Addis Ababa contributed a donation to

a local humanitarian organization called AHOPE

Ethiopia. The organization is an Ethiopian

Residents Charity which is a pioneer in the area

of provision of specialized care to destitute HIV-

positive orphans as well as to vulnerable children

and their extended families, in order to improve

their health and general living condition. Mr.

Amir Maimon, Chargé d’Affaires of the Israeli

Embassy, said “this token reflects the desire to

expand our fruitful cooperation, creating a real,

humane bridge between our two countries.”

A first-of-its-kind state-of-the-art emergency and trauma unit was

established at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. The hospital,

which serves as a referral center in the country, was built in 1962 by

the Israeli construction company “Solel Boneh” and is the biggest and

most important in the country. It serves as a professional referential

center in all medical fields and is affiliated to the renowned

Makerere University.

The Unit was officially inaugurated in August by Israeli Deputy

Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, together with the Head of

MASHAV, Ambassador Daniel Carmon, and Uganda’s Health

Minister Dr. Christine Ondoa.

The decision to undertake the project originated following the

successful cooperation between Israel and Uganda in the field of

human capacity building in the areas of emergency and disaster

preparedness. Recent terror attacks and natural disasters in

Uganda emphasized the need to establish such a unit. The project

included rebuilding a 250-square-meter site within the hospital

grounds and converting it to serve as an emergency and trauma

center including appropriate infrastructure and medical systems;

as well as the provision of state-of-the-art equipment. An Israeli

building team carried out the construction and installed the

equipment, which was shipped from Israel. The first professional

clinical and technical training team from Israel’s Poriya Hospital

comprised of one doctor and two nurses arrived in Kampala in

July to accompany the local personnel during the unit’s first

operational steps.

36 MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

ESTABLISHING A TRAUMA UNIT IN UGANDA

Deputy FM Ayalon and Minister Ondoa

ESTABLISHING A DIALYSIS UNIT IN FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

Based on the Sierra Leone government’s appreciation

of Israeli capabilities and its interest in renewing the

previously successful cooperation with MASHAV, a request

was addressed to the Israeli Foreign

Ministry for the establishment of a

first-of-its-kind dialysis unit to improve

the country’s health system. The First

Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Sia Nyama

Koroma, specified the needs and

expectations in a note sent through

the Honorary Consul to Sierra Leone in

Israel, Mr. David Ben Bassat.

Following an analysis made by both

the Israeli Embassy in Dakar and MASHAV’s experts

regarding the project’s potential implementation, it was

decided to establish the unit at Connaught Hospital – the

biggest and most important governmental hospital in the

capital, Freetown.

The project was implemented at the beginning of 2012.

It includes the upgrading of the

designated site and adjusting it to

local needs, including training in

Israel of a local medical team (doctors

and nurses); purchase, delivery and

installing the equipment by MASHAV’s

experts, training and professional

support of the local team both in

Israel and in Sierra Leone from the first

operational steps to full professional

autonomy. The unit includes four dialysis stands and aims

to end the need of sending patients abroad for expensive

and, in many cases, ineffective medical treatment.

Ambassador Carmon signs the Implementation Agreement

37

EDUCATORS FROM KENYA AT THE OFRI CENTER

The third course on Education towards Sustainable Development (ESD) for educators from Kenya took

place at the Ofri Center in June. The program is

based on the understanding that the promotion and

implementation of ESD should become an integral

element in the school curriculum through long-term

development and support activities. So far over 90

Kenyan educators have taken part in the program.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

HONDURAS

Humanitarian assistance was to Honduras sent via the

Israeli Embassy in Guatemala in February, following the fire

in Comayagua prison that left more than 300 inmates dead

and many injured

FIJI

Assistance was sent via the Israeli Embassy in Canberra

to Fiji, following the severe flooding which hit the country

in January.

MONTENEGRO

Following the severe snowstorms and extreme cold weather

which hit the country in February, the State of Israel,

through MASHAV, sent a special emergency air cargo

containing blankets, winter tents and additional equipment

to Montenegro.

EYE CAMPS IN ETHIOPIA AND CAMEROON

Supported by MASHAV, Eye from Zion is a group of Israeli

doctors who volunteer their time to restore sight to people

in developing countries. One of their recent missions

took place in March, when a medical delegation led by

Prof. Dov Weinberger, Head of Ophthalmology at Israel’s

Rabin Medical Center, flew with representatives from the

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), to

Ethiopia, where they performed over 160 cataract surgeries

in a portable operation room donated by Chaim Sheba

Medical Center at Tel Hashomer. An additional mission was

sent to Cameroon in July.

WFP

The State of Israel strongly supports the World Food

Program (WFP) effective contribution and actions

towards eradicating hunger worldwide, as is reflected

in the agreement signed between the two organizations.

Israel joined the efforts of the international community

to fight the present crisis once again with an Israeli

donation in the amount of US$ 200,000 made in April.

Israel remains committed to working together in the

future through MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International

Development Cooperation and the Israeli representation

to the WFP.

38 MASHAVhttp: / /mashav.mfa.gov.il News

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO

In the wake of the devastating explosions in Brazzaville,

the capital and largest city of the Republic of the Congo,

during which hundreds of people were injured, MASHAV

in partnership with Magen David Adom – Israel’s Medical

Emergency Service in South Africa (MDA-SA), arranged for

an emergency shipment to be sent to the affected area in

March. The emergency assistance was coordinated by

the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and included medical

equipment for the treatment of burns.

More and more of the publications and information of MASHAV are going online!

Don’t miss out!

Be sure to provide us with your@-mail address so we can notify you about important developments!

Send them to shalom@haigud.org.il

Online!MASHAV

http://mashav.mfa.gov.il

NAURU

Israeli nephrologist Dr. Noa Yanay arrived in Nauru in

January for a two-month medical mission in the area of

nephrology. Upon her arrival, Dr. Yanay stated that the

leading cause of kidney disease is diabetes, and thus the

importance of prevention and control of both diabetes and

high blood pressure. Dr. Yanay believes these issues should

be addressed, and emphasized that lifestyle changes can

prevent diabetes and lessen complications.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Readers:

Once again, Shalom magazine reaches you in its digital

edition. Our online magazine can be now easily passed along

and linked to more readers around the world, bringing news of

MASHAV’s international development activities.

Thousands of professionals benefit every year from MASHAV courses

both in Israel and abroad, enhancing their capacities in various fields.

They all share a personal and collective responsibility to strive to

find solutions to shared global development challenges, in order to

advance the international development agenda beyond 2015.

As we continue our development work, Shalom magazine remains

a strong link between MASHAV and you, our graduates, all over

the world.

The new digital edition of Shalom magazine can also be accessed at

MASHAV’s website (http://mashav.mfa.gov.il), where you can also

review additional development activities.

I hope you enjoy this new issue of Shalom magazine and as always I

look forward to hearing your feedback and ideas!

With warm regards,

AVNIT RIFKIN

Editor

Shalom MagazineP.O.Box 34140Jerusalem 91341ISRAELshalom@haigud.org.il

This letter was sent to the CINADCO

and ARO staff:

May 2012

Dear friends:I would like to thank my fellow

trainees, 27 of us from 17 countries,

for the privilege of sharing our

training course on International

R & D Course on Integrated Pest

and enjoy during our fields visits to

various sites, how the theories and

new knowledge given in lectures were

applied. It is amazing to note

that modern Israeli agriculture

sustained by the ingenuity and

character of its people, is responsible

for producing export quality

agricultural produce out of barren

lands through its world famous

greenhouse farming technologies,

including IPM which draw adherents

and practitioners worldwide.

The course afforded us excellent

opportunities to celebrate our

diversity, affirm our uniqueness

and forge and nurture friendships.

As official representatives of our

countries, these experiences made

us more effective in the greater

challenge and responsibility, in fact

in our mission ahead: making sure

our country and people ultimately

benefit from this training, to help make

a difference, be an agent of change to

improve the quality of life especially

among the poor and less privileged

among our people.

The course opened limitless

opportunities for sharing our

knowledge, our experience and

our culture, and the possibility of

pursuing further collaboration with one

another, and with our counterparts in

Israel and in various parts of the world.

During our stay we had the

opportunity to participate in

the prestigious AGRITECH 2012

International Agricultural Exhibition

and Conference. In closing therefore,

I extend my sincerest appreciation

and gratitude to the Government of

the State of Israel; to MASHAV- Israel’s

Agency of International Development

and Cooperation under the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs; to the Centre for

Management (IPM), held in Israel in May

2012. Being in Israel, most of us for the

very first time was indeed an amazing,

enriching and memorable experience

of a lifetime! Through the 24-day R & D

training we learned a lot about IPM

and agriculture as they do it presently

in Israel. The training modules were

designed and perfectly executed, in a

manner that we were able to appreciate

39

41

International Agricultural Development

and Cooperation (CINADCO) and the

Agricultural Research Organization

(ARO) and the Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development for the making

this world-class training course

possible.

Thank you so much! Shalom.

EDUARDO JARCIATHE PHILIPPINES

�

March 2012

Dear Editor,Thank you so much for providing me

with the important information carried

by Shalom Magazine. I am one of

MASHAV’s trainees from 2005. During

the course I received very important

professional training in the field of my

work.

I would like to thank CINADCO

training center instructors and the

whole people of Israel People for your

cooperation with developing countries

like mine. I am very happy to receive

the electronic editions of Shalom

Magazine, and thank you once again.

Keep up you cooperation with

developing countries to bring better

future. May God bless you all.

Sincerely,

AYELE KEBEDE

ETHIOPIA

ayeleke@rediffmail.com

�

January 2012

Dear Editor,I feel overwhelmed by the news that

I can access our magazine via digital

processing. I can’t keep myself waiting

to congratulate you and the ever so

hard working staff for the commitment

to keep MASHAV Alumni constantly

informed and updated.

It is almost twenty-four years since

I left from Israel but the memories are

still here with me in Liberia, revealing

themselves in nearly all the good

things I’m involved with; at home, in

the workplace and the community.

To really translate the training from

MASHAV to benefit a wider audience

is my prime objective. I have in place

very unique strategies as the building

blocks for my work.

I wish you all the best.

Truly yours,

HENRY SEWARD

LIBERIA

sewardent2000@yahoo.com

�

January 2012

Dear Editor, On behalf of the Centre for Small

Industry Research and Training,

CENSIRT-Nigeri, I express my deep

and sincere thanks to the Government

and people of Israel and the Embassy

in Abuja for the scholarship training

granted to CENSIRT Project Officer

Elom Ukamaka Chimdinma.

The course on Mainstreaming

Poverty-Environment Linkages Into

Development Plann

ing commenced at the Weitz Centre

for Development Studies, Rehovot on

9th January 2012 and lasted for one

month with the participation of 30

people from 9 countries.

The knowledge gained from the

training will be linked and utilized

in the better implementation of

several CENSIRT ongoing projects

such as renewable energy projects,

Sustainable Development/Education,

Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs

(LIFE) and more.

It is exciting to mention that CENSIRT

was born in Israel at the International

Institute, Histadrut during MASHAV’s

Course on Economic and Financial

Planning for Rural Areas through the

Use of Computer held in January 2001.

It is more exciting to further note that

CENSIRT’s final course report attracted

UNIDO to collaborate with the

Government of Ebonyi State of Nigeria

and today, UNIDO is implementing

seven projects in the State including

the 5MW Abakaliki Power Plant that

will utilize the rice husk waste which

is causing an environmental hazard

in the State. CENSIRT itself is today

the Local Implementation Partner to

UNIDO in Ebonyi State.

The MASHAV training program has

therefore played a major role in

transforming the rural communities

of Ebonyi State and we will make the

best use of the current training of our

Project Officer to bring more projects

and benefits to the people in our part

of the world. For us MASHAV is a life

transforming program. We commend

the Government of Israel for this

initiative. Please keep it up!

EVANG. CHUKWUMA ELOMExecutive Director

CENSIRT-UNIDO Regional ICT

Centre of Excellence

NIGERIA

ebonyiunido@yahoocom

�

This letter was sent to Miri Ben-Haim,

Director of the Hebrew University's

Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture,

Food and Environment training

department:

Dear friends:

From February 6 to April 5, 2012,

I was very honored to participate in

a two-month MASHAV training course

entitled “Adapting to Climate Change:

Biotechnology in Agriculture in a world

of Global Environmental Changes”.

Israel’s advanced technology,

unique scenery, fascinating culture,

40

41

and charming professors gave us

a memorable deep impression in

these 60 days, making me fall deeply

in love with this wonderful land

intertwined with ancient culture and

modern civilization, and arousing

the enthusiasm and inspiration in my

following scientific and technological

work.

The agro-biotechnology training

course had 26 participants with

different background in researching,

teaching, farming or policy-making

from 13 different countries, including

China, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar,

India, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Serbia,

Bosnia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Barbados

and Saint Christopher and Nevis.

The lectures were given by more

than 30 professors with scientific

research and practical experiences.

In addition to the basic principles

of biotechnologies, the professors

introduced their research interests

and results, as well as their contact

information. They attached great

importance to communicate with us

both in class and after class, and to

instruct us to prepare our final project

of the course, representing the rigorous

spirit and open research manner of

Israeli professors.

This two-month learning and training

program further broadened our

horizons, deepened our understanding

of the application of biotechnologies

in agricultural production, improved

our theoretical and practical levels,

and laid a good foundation for the

better use of biotechnologies in our

future agricultural practices. The whole

learning and living experience will live

in my heart forever. Thank you Israel,

and thank you MASHAV for giving me

this unforgettable opportunity.

Sincerely yours,

ZIQIANG LIUSouth China Agricultural University

Guangzhou 510642

CHINA

�February 2012

Dear Editor,Once again I received your magazine,

for which I would like to thank you. It

keeps me updated on what has been

going on in the area of development

programs organized by MASHAV. They

not only enhance cooperation

between different countries, but give

hope for better future. Above all, as in

my case, they open new horizons, help

personal development and facilitate

better understanding between people

from various cultures.

I participated in your “Technology

in Education” seminar held in

Aharon Ofri Center for International

Studies, Jerusalem from 19 May to

17 June, 1999. I greatly appreciate

participating in all the workshops

and lectures given to us in the center.

The cultural part of the visit made

the one-month stay in Israel even

more valuable. I met some wonderful

people, with whom I still stay in touch.

I hope many more participants will

enjoy the programs you offer in the

coming year.

Best regards to all,

IZABELA DABROWSKAPOLAND

izadab@poczta.onet.pl

�

This letter was sent to Rina Yaffe and

Sammy Bahat, expert who conducted

an on-the-spot program in Jamaica on

behalf of the Golda Meir Mount Carmel

International Training Centre (MCTC)

August 2012

Dear Rina and Sammy,On behalf of Young Americas

Business Trust Jamaica, I wish to

convey my heartfelt thanks for a

highly professional and informative

conference. You not only delivered

quality information but touched

the spirit of each participant as you

challenged them to become the agents

of change in Jamaica.

YABT Jamaica has now become

the lead agency on a Task Force for

change in regards to Youth at Risk

entrepreneurship policy and we will be

forging ahead to lobby the government

for this change. Everyone is so excited

and motivated to put the ideas you

have taught into practice.

YABT Jamaica is offering its services to

forge deeper linkages with MASHAV

in Youth entrepreneurship training

and development, not only in Jamaica

but the wider Caribbean region. We

are willing to become the Caribbean

hub for MASHAV training efforts. Once

again thank you and our very best

wishes for your continued success.

Sincerely,

SHIRLEY D. LNDO

CEO YABT/Jamaica

JAMAICA

yabt.training@gmail.com

�

41

EDITOR: Avnit Rifkin

PRODUCTION & GRAPHIC DESIGN: Youval Tal Ltd.

PUBLISHED BY: Haigud – Transfer

of Technology for Development

P.O.Box 34140 Jerusalem 91341 www.haigud.org.il Printed in Israel

ISSN 0792-8262