The Weitz Center for Development Studies, founded in 1963, has been engaged since its
establishment in activities related to regional and local development in Israel and, within the
framework of MASHAV, in the developing world.
The Weitz Center trains professionals fromdeveloping countries in the internationally recognized
"Rehovot Approach" to development, which aims at the eradication of poverty and the promotion
of socio-economic development.
More than 3,000 professionals have taken part in the Weitz Center training programs, whose
objective is to enhance the ability of par ticipants to improve conditions in underdeveloped
regions of their countries through an integrated development strategy and the application of
appropriate methodologies for planning and implementation. Training courses of the Weitz
Center are interdisciplinary and application oriented.
International Rural Rural Regional Development Planning Course
The Integrated Rural Regional Development Planning course (IRRDP) has been recognized and
recommended by the Social and Economic Council of the United Nations, in Resolution 1086
(1972).
The IRRDP course is divided into a five-month academic stage held in Israel, and a two month
practical stage, conducted in a selected region of a developing country. During this stage,
participants grouped into interdisciplinary teams prepare a development planning project under
the guidance of Weitz Center experts.
Fifty-seven IRRDP Courses have been conducted since 1969, with the par ticipation of more
than 2,000 professionals from developing countries. Forty-two different countries from Asia,
Africa, Latin America and the Mediterranean have hosted the practical stage of the course.
Rwanda hosted the course in 2001.
The host country where the practical stage is conducted benefits not only from the training
of its professionals but also from an integrated development plan which includes macro-regional
and sectorial plans, as well as several derived "Project Profiles," which can be later implemented.
Many of the host countries have implemented most, or a large part, of the planning project.
The Weitz Center also conducts programs on specific subjects related to social-economic
development, such as Industrial Development in Rural Areas, Local Economic Development,
Rural Tourism Projects and Public and Business Administration in Rural Areas.
Special tailor-made training courses have been conducted in the past years for professionals
from Egypt, on the Development of Micro-Regions and Areas of Rural Settlement, as well as
for participants from the Palestinian Authority. These courses are designed to meet the unique
needs of the participants. An evaluation study carried out among former participants showed
a positive long-term impact, and graduates assessed the program as being effective and relevant
to their national agenda.
During 2001, the Weitz Center also conducted a one-month practical stage in El Salvador of
the course on Development of Micro-Regions. The practical stage, which took place in the La
Paz region that suffered from a devastating earthquake in 2000, was meant to help in its recovery
process. In addition, the Weltz Center conducted two Study Tours for professionals from Korea
and Russia.
Weitz Center for Development Studies (DSC)
Director General: Julia Margulis
P.O. Box 2355
Rehovot 76122
E-mail: dsc@netvision.net.il
Tel: 972-8-9474111
Fax: 972-8-9475884
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