MASHAV Activity Report 1997

MASHAV, founded on the principles of mutual responsibility and equality, was born out of the distinctive historical experience of the Jewish people, and constitutes the basis for international relations in every sphere of human existence. It is with this sense of heritage that Israel's tradition of cooperation has become an integral part of the Israeli ethos, reflecting what is authentic and positive in our society. It is the expression of our moral and human conviction to work together toward the prosperity and security of all peoples.

And we do this with a full heart.

Today, a country's wealth is not defined solely by its natural resources, rather by its human resources - the intellectual and technological achievements of its people. The promise of tomorrow lies in the enrichment of people; a promise that can only be attained through international coordination and cooperation.

During the past 50 years, Israel has come to excel in several fields of human endeavor. If Israel, countries of the Arab World, and the Palestinian Authority were to cooperate and combine their talents and achievements, and labor side-by-side in overcoming common development challenges, the face of the Middle East would be unrecognizable during the course of the next 50 years. Regional cooperation will enable all peoples in the area to benefit from the great potential inherent in the Peace Process.

On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I believe this to be the appropriate time to express our sincere appreciation to the thousands of Israeli experts who, during the course of the last four decades - in over 140 countries - dedicated their time, energy and professional skills to fighting hunger and drought, poverty, disease, ignorance, prejudice, and the depletion of the earth's natural resources.

Technical cooperation requires determination, a consistency of purpose and vision if it is to be successful. Partnerships among peoples and governments must be fostered if we are to create a new global reality during the next millennium. In the years to come, MASHAV programs will effect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, both in Israel and abroad. We look forward to meeting that challenge.

Israel remains committed to actively encouraging sustainable development, and holds out its hand in friendship and good will to the global community.

Eytan Bentsur
Director-General
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

As Israel's international development cooperation program commemorates its 40th anniversary, the global debate continues on the effectiveness of aid in the overall goal of poverty reduction in developing countries. The objective of this annual report is to present Israel's agenda for this contemporary debate by providing a detailed account of our development activities, as well as introducing new strategies and priorities.

To help set the agenda, in 1997, the Centre for International Cooperation (MASHAV) initiated three separate and independent seminars - as part of a continuing series - in order to evaluate Israel's impact over the last 40 years in Africa, Latin America and in Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The conclusions reached at all seminars were, at times, critical; and yet, the broad-based consensus was encouraging. Aid works.

In addition, a Planning and Evaluation Unit was added to the regular MASHAV staff, in order to examine the relevancy of Israel's current development programs. It was concluded that Israeli long-term assistance has contributed significantly to the relief of poverty by promoting sector-based policies needed for economic growth, food security, the extension of the social welfare sectors, health and educational reform, environmental conservation, and democratic development.The enhancement of the status of women remains a crucial cross-cutting component - during the past 5 years women have comprised an average of 35% of all course participants.

Moreover, in light of our interest in establishing long-term strategic goals, two in-house advisors on agricultural and medical affairs were added to the MASHAV staff. This new measure was undertaken given the fact that approximately 50% of Israel's development activities are in the field of agriculture, and the need to widen the scope of medical cooperation.

Studies indicate that Israeli development assistance incorporates three successful components: the ability to apply and adapt its own experience as a developing country to those now facing similar challenges; having the qualified personnel required for technology-transfer; and the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of its programming. Mention must also be made of the continued support of Israel's programs by the governments of the United states of America (USAID), The Netherlands, and Denmark (DANIDA).

To achieve maximum impact, and ensure the best possible application of resources, new strategies were adopted, integrating the various aspects of MASHAV activities into an organized, coordinated and comprehensive program. Towards this end, a more definitive dialogue was established with government ministries in individual program countries to define development policies and objectives; identify target populations; and assist in expediting project implementation.

As many international organizations play an important role in countries where MASHAV programs have been established, focus was placed on working more closely with locally-based UN field representatives, NGOs and World Bank officers. And, this year, increased attention was given to strengthen multilateral cooperation, especially in the Middle East region.

To actually achieve poverty elimination, adequate resources are required. As official development assistance (ODA) is gradually declining, it is increasingly important to actively involve the private sector in sustainable human development programs. MASHAV will continue to stress the role of the private sector in this endeavor.

Sustainable human development has economic, social and environmental dimensions. Its goal is an improved and dignified quality of life for all people. As many of the most pressing sustainability issues are on a global scale, it is our responsibility - both donor and recipient countries - to pursue global solutions.

Haim Divon
Deputy Director General
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Head of the Centre for International Cooperation (MASHAV)

Planning and Evaluation

The Planning and Evaluation Unit was designed to explore possible innovations and improvements in all of MASHAV's development cooperation activities, as up-to-date challenges facing the global community require constant review and adjustment of objectives to new needs and opportunities.

Clearly, many countries with which Israel has shared its unique experience in agricultural development have seen increased productivity. Food production remains a priority in many countries, but there is also much demand for progress in medical services, modern technological education, development of democratic institutions in civil society, management and public administration for the betterment of living conditions through economic growth. This requires capacity building.

Israel, enjoying rapid technological development, is capable of contributing to the family of nations. Countries receptive to Israel's development cooperation capabilities have increased in recent years, following global and regional political changes. The opportunity to cooperate with our Middle East neighbors is of prime interest to Israel in its peace building efforts.

To meet these challenges, MASHAV is maximizing its efficiency by further raising the level of its capacity building programs, introducing up-to-date technological innovations and approaching higher level professionals and decision makers to assure greater impact. At the same time, MASHAV researches and monitors its own procedures and decision processes to guarantee relevancy and adaptability to the particular needs of the developing world. Programs are also geared to subjects in which Israel has a comparative advantage. Much consideration is given to current objectives and principles of international agencies, national overseas development agencies, as well as NGOs.

The Planning and Evaluation Unit has a major role in this effort, and employs independent consultants to analyze the quality and efficiency of all activities, as well as proposing adjustments and adaptations to development activities of other agencies.

As a result, a series of in-depth evaluations were initiated at MASHAV affiliated training institutions regarding quality, methodology, content, selection of participants and follow-up procedures. Common problems were identified for the improvement of general practices, while issues specific to the subjects of specialization were carefully studied. Joint evaluations and reviews of policy have been carried out with donor partners to achieve more effective policy implementation.

Individual extensions are encouraged to strengthen institutional capacity building, maintain contact with course participants and obtain feedback, thereby enriching data collection for impact evaluation.

Interim participant evaluations, whether on-site or in Israel, enable the adjustment of the program to the levels and needs of participants. Such evaluations have proven useful in a number of programs, and will now be encouraged in training courses.

In conclusion, symposia with the participation of professionals, government officials, academicians, economists and sociologists, as well as representatives of the business community, assist MASHAV in assessing the desired direction of its activities. In 1997, three such symposia were held on MASHAV programs in Africa, Central and South America, and the CEE and CIS. Moreover, periodic experience-sharing sessions between experts and trainers are invaluable to the Planning and Evaluation Unit.

In order to accomplish its task successfully, two experts from the agricultural and health sectors have been added to MASHAV's regular staff. The following two reports reflect their professional evaluation of MASHAV's international programs.

MASHAV, throughout its four decades of international development cooperation, has continued to place priority on agricultural and rural development. This policy is based on the conviction that development must reach predominantly less privileged populations in rural regions.

MASHAV programs strive to address the problems of sustainable resource use and development, to ensure food security and conditions for economic growth. MASHAV's activities reflect the Israeli experience of how integrated resource development, technological innovations and transfer can trigger overall income generation and welfare enhancement in agriculture and other sectors of the economy. Clearly, the modernization of agriculture contributes to the mobility of labor so vital for economic prosperity. Initially, international activities in both land projects and training programs focused on enhancing basic food crop production, along with programs to train and settle unemployed rural youth in traditional crop production. This was the case particularly in West and East Africa, while the concept of integrated rural development projects were promoted in selected sub-regions of Africa, Latin America and Asia.

In the case of Latin America, MASHAV activities concentrated during the 1960s - 1970s on programs of agrarian reform, within the policies of the "Alliance for Progress."

Over the last two decades, Israel's international development program activities reflected the importance of sharing tested technologies, with priority given to demand driven production. Most of the agricultural training courses held both in Israel and on-site in host countries were linked to critical institutional issues related to economic and ecological aspects.

The challenges facing agriculture today in a liberalized global economy call for promoting agribusiness initiatives, contract farming, satellite farm production, processing and market systems, designed to integrate entrepreneurs and medium and small farmers for higher added value and mutual economic benefit.

Therefore, special emphasis is placed on R&D programs related to higher value crops, including advanced technologies in post-harvest care, storage and handling. All programs (both in training and land project activities) are designed for economic and agroecological sustainability.

A major area in development cooperation concerns the availability and use of water for agriculture. Water resources are becoming more and more limited, and can no longer be regarded as a "free resource." Policy makers in many countries are turning to Israel in order to cope with growing water scarcity. Activities concentrating on more efficient irrigation systems, linked to enhanced know-how on optimizing plant/soil/water relationships, is therefore, encouraged.

Another initiative undertaken by MASHAV, in cooperation with other government ministries (Agriculture, Environment and Science), as well as specialized academic institutions in Israel, focuses on the development of "Desert Margin" areas, as many desert sub-regions will eventually become future economic frontiers. Activities include R&D networking with countries having similar ecosystems to introduce new crops through an exchange of genetic material and their culturalization. Another facet of "Desert Margin" development now being undertaken relates to micro-catchment development and water-harvesting, which are at present being sponsored by Israel and UN agencies in West Africa.

MASHAV recognizes that with the burgeoning growth of urban populations there now exists a greater challenge to develop viable peri-urban agricultural systems, based on producing diverse food baskets under more intensive farming systems, greenhouse production, and other forms of protected agriculture. Aquaculture under intensive high tech technologies and the use of treated sewerage waters for fodders and tree crop are also included.

Such programs are presently being implemented in the CIS and the Palestinian Authority, and programs are being developed for South Africa (Gauteng Province), Venezuela (Falcon State), Costa Rica, India and China.

Recognizing the growing role of NGOs in the development process, MASHAV has encouraged the organization of professional societies/guilds to stimulate new forms of horizontal cooperation based on principles relating to "Technical Cooperation in Developing Countries" (TCDC). Such a society is now being established in Latin America (8 chapters), with the explicit purpose of promoting the importance of extension delivery systems linked to R&D programs to agroecological sustainability. This society, ALEA, was formed by MASHAV alumni of international courses (1996) and each chapter is currently engaged in preparing its own agenda.

MASHAV is constantly seeking innovative activities that address the needs of world agriculture.

Israel's Role in Health Related Development Programs

Health and medical aid have always constituted one of the most attractive fields of development activity, and have traditionally been a mainstay of every international assistance program.

MASHAV's deployment and scope of activities in the Third World during the 1960s and early 70s took optimal advantage of the relatively accomplished health and medical expertise of the State of Israel at the time. Widespread programming included providing guidance within the target countries (and in Israel); setting up of appropriate infrastructure; and instructing local professionals abroad - from the extension of advisory services in ophthalmic treatment stations for the blind and sight-impaired populations - to the offering of complete resident training at medical institutions in Israel.

During the 1970s and 80s, with the end of the era of cooperation with African states following their breaking-off of diplomatic relations with Israel, a serious reduction in the scope of MASHAV's medical ties with countries of the Third World took place. Sporadic activity continued in Africa, as did aid to Central and Latin America. However, the subject became irrelevant to the "professional culture" of medical institutions in Israel. The institutions grew increasingly less familiar with MASHAV's international cooperation doctrine and, as a result, less prepared to assemble professional teams with the same level of motivation as had once been the case. During this period agricultural programs assumed a dominant role in development policy.

In the mid-1990s, an understanding of the tremendous potential inherent in renewing cooperative efforts in the medical field, and its relevance to developing countries, became apparent. With the backing and support of the Ministry of Health, MASHAV began, in early 1995, to allocate additional medical resources toward aid activities, and target regions were redefined.

As part of this renewed initiative, dozens of activities were undertaken during the period between 1995-97, including the dispatching of medical experts to conduct on-site courses, the running of "eye treatment camps", as well as conducting advanced training courses in Israel. MASHAV provided the backing and support needed for the successful implementation of several complex projects, including the establishment of intensive care units in Eritrea and Turkmenistan, and the partial funding of a delegation sent to treat casualties resulting from the train disaster in Azerbaidzhan.

In late 1997, it was decided to set up a unit in MASHAV to coordinate medical affairs, with the objective of offering a variety of professional initiatives and solutions to various medical and health-related issues on the international scene.

Following is a description of several variables that have affected the general relationship between donor and recipient countries over the past two decades, and more specifically, Israel's role:

Training activities in Israel are held at MASHAV-affiliated study centres, academic and professional institutions, which provide the personnel to conduct the courses.

Training activities in Israel and overseas concentrate on traditional areas where Israel has acquired experience. Areas of training include: agriculture and rural society, education, community development and health. MASHAV's programs continue to emphasize relevant issues in environmental and natural resource protection, as well as specific topics pertaining to gender issues.

The geographical distribution of trainees in international courses held in Israel has gradually changed, due to an increase in the number of participants from the Middle East/North Africa, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. In several cases, trainees from Europe and North America participated in MASHAV courses, and are included in the following statistics.

During 1997, a total of 4,429 participants attended 164 training courses, individual study tours and various graduate and post-graduate programs, of which 1,241 trainees arrived from the Middle East/North Africa, including 678 from the Palestinian Authority.

On-the Spot Courses (Overseas Training)

In 1997, a total of 6,385 trainees from 53 countries worldwide participated in 143 on-the-spot courses, of which 7 (agriculture) were conducted in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and a course was conducted for the first time in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (physiotherapy). During the course of the year, 284 Israeli experts were dispatched worldwide.

Shalom Clubs

MASHAV's relationship with course participants does not end with the conclusion of the program. In order to build a basis for continued communication and follow-up, Shalom Clubs have been established in countries throughout the world.

Shalom Clubs serve as a forum for MASHAV alumni to participate in professional and social activities relating to their field of specialization. Operated under the auspices of the Israeli mission in the host country, members are invited to attend lectures by skilled experts, encouraged to exchange ideas on technical cooperation and humanitarian concerns, as well as organize cultural functions. Members of the Shalom Clubs also play an integral role in determining the focus and scope of programming.

In 1997, several Shalom Clubs were established as follows:

Africa: Ghana, Chad, Togo, and an announcement was made to establish a chapter in Seychelles. In addition, the Shalom Club met, for the first time, in Northern Senegal.

Asia: It was decided to establish a Shalom Club in Papua New Guinea.

Latin America and the Caribbean: It was decided to establish a Shalom Club in Trinidad and Tobago.

CEE and CIS: Hungary

The following Shalom Clubs were reactivated during 1997:

Africa: Cote d'Ivoire
Asia: Cambodia

A meeting of Shalom Clubs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean took place in Argentina, with the participation of 150 MASHAV alumni representing 13 different countries. The meeting focused on celebrations commemorating Israel's 50th anniversary of statehood, and MASHAV's 40th anniversary. All participants emphasized the unique bond with the state and people of Israel.

Shalom Magazine

Shalom Magazine for alumni (published 3 times a year in 5 languages: English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian) is printed in Israel and sent directly to all former MASHAV course participants. This professional magazine publishes material on such relevant issues as early childhood and adult education, agricultural innovations, women in the development process, public health, cooperative development, and environmental conservation.

MASHAV Training Centres and Affiliated Institutions

• Agricultural Research Organization - Volcani Centre
• Aharon Ofri International Study Centre
• Ben-Gurion University of the Negev - Institute for Applied Research, Beer-Sheva
• Ben-Gurion University of the Negev - Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Sede-Boqer
• Centre for International Agricultural Development Cooperation (CINADCO)
• Development Study Centre, Rehovot
• Galilee College
• Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Centre
• Hadassah Medical Centre
• Haifa University
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem, School of Public Health
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, Rehovot
• International Institute - Histadrut
• Israel Meteorological Service
• Jewish National Fund
• Kupat Holim - Health Insurance Institute
• Negev College
• Risk Control Ltd.
• Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel
• Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd.
• Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
• Tel Aviv University, Sackler Faculty of Medicine

The Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Centre for International Agricultural Development Cooperation (CINADCO), established in 1958, is the main institution in Israel dealing with international agricultural cooperation.

CINADCO, operating within the framework of the Centre for International Cooperation (MASHAV), aims to meet the needs and challenges of agricultural development, by identifying, developing, and implementing appropriate and relevant technologies and project programs.

CINADCO's operational and professional activities focus on issues and problems concerning agricultural development facing rural and peri-urban communities. These issues will further dominate development policies in the coming years and beyond the year 2000.

CINADCO's main functions include:

• Human resource development (training courses and seminars in Israel);
• Overseas training programs (on-site courses);
• Practical training for professionals and leading farmers;
• Long- and short-term consultancy missions overseas;
• Joint research on agriculture-related subjects in host countries with the participation of local experts. At present, over 40 on-going research programs in different fields of agriculture and rural development are being implemented;
• Professional support for agricultural demonstration, technology transfer and rural development.

CINADCO's international training programs are conducted at Kibbutz Shefayim, and are held in the English, Russian, French and Spanish languages. A second training centre located at Kibbutz Bror Chail facilitates the Arabic language program.

CINADCO's activities follow current trends in world agriculture and propose projects relevant to situations of subsistence agriculture; improved traditional agriculture; gender issues; diversified farming and specialized market-oriented agriculture. Project activities also included the development of other professional support systems, such as advisory services to introduce agricultural and agribusiness entrepreneurship. Project concepts are based on core-farm demonstration activities, involving a wide range of agricultural branches. Demonstration activities are practiced on-site, under real conditions, and focus on the transfer of know-how, technologies and management practices.

Special emphasis is given to promoting market-driven and agribusiness development to improve value added production and management practices.

Training programs place special emphasis on adapting improved technologies to local conditions. Twenty-five percent of the curriculum in all courses relating to agricultural technologies is devoted to issues of organization, extension and agro-ecological sustainability. Activities are based upon existing know-how acquired by Israeli experts at home and abroad. At present, project work concentrates on issues of agrobusiness initiatives, satellite farming systems and linking public and private action to advance tangible, socio-economic results.

The Centre draws upon the professional skills of experts in the Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other public entities, as well as from national farmers' organizations and private firms. A professional and operational network has likewise been developed with NGOs and international institutes to enhance international development cooperation.

The integration of research, extension and project development is the hallmark of CINADCO activities. Professional and practical approaches adopted in implementing these various programs indicate that both human resource enrichment and project development have met with a high degree of success.

In 1997, CINADCO conducted 47 international training activities, including 4 workshops in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority: English - 6; French - 5; Spanish - 7; Russian - 7; Arabic - 22.

66 on-the-spot courses were conducted in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Centre (MCTC) is one of MASHAV's first training centres (established in 1961), and has devoted most of its resources to the training of women from developing countries and transitional societies.

Its underlying philosophy stresses the importance of "development from below" and the "recognition of women's contribution to their countries' development." Over the years, courses and workshops have been developed in three key areas: Community Development with emphasis on Organization and Management of Family and Community Services; Child Development and Preschool Education; Management of Microenterprises with an Emphasis on Women Entrepreneurs.

MCTC promotes awareness of gender-related issues, and favors the inclusion of women in courses where men tend to apply and, conversely, incorporates men in courses where women are traditionally dominant - such as preschool education.

As in all MASHAV training, MCTC curricula are based on Israel's own development experience, Israel's experience in absorbing immigrants and in demonstrating problems confronting women, and actions taken to mitigate them. Professionals may witness for themselves new ways of solving economic problems, such as the national policy decision to promote entrepreneurship, or the development of rural tourism to replace agricultural activities that are no longer profitable.

Studies are oriented towards problem-solving and make extensive use of case material presented by participants from their own work experience. Visits to educational and social services institutes in urban and rural areas illustrate how theoretical concepts and principles discussed in the classroom are being applied in the field.

Courses are held in either the English, Spanish, French, or Arabic languages. Plans have been made to conduct several courses in 1998 in the Arabic language. Curricula have been designed to meet with the various professional functions of the participants, so that an 8-week course will be attended by field personnel and supervisors, while a 3-4 week workshop will include managers, planners, administrators and trainers. One-week international seminars and symposia are planned biennially on development themes of current interest.

Between 2-3-week workshops are conducted annually at the request of government agencies or non-governmental organizations in the participants' country of origin. These workshops are an integral part of the process of transfer of knowledge. The local coordinator of these workshops will often be an alumni of MCTC, an aspect which facilitates the communication of new ideas and strengthens the authority in her/his work environment.

MCTC cooperates with international women's organizations such as the Soroptimist International Federation of Business and Professional Women and the International Council of Women, as well as with the United Nations and other international aid agencies, including UNICEF, UNESCO, DDSMS, ILO, UNIDO, OAS, IDB and German Agro-Action.

In 1997, 14 courses and workshops were held in Israel, according to the following breakdown:
English - 7, Spanish - 4, French - 2, Arabic - 1.
In addition, 21 on-the-spot courses were conducted abroad.

During 1997, the Centre participated in an IDRC seminar on "Education and Participation of Women in African Economies" (Senegal); a study mission dealing with children in distress (Morocco); and in a study mission on "Early Childhood Education" (Jordan).

The Ofri International Training Centre was established in 1989, as a MASHAV extension, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. Since its establishment, the Centre has focused its activity on educational fields that contribute to human resource development and regional upbuilding, since the backbone of any economic progression and general development must include a strong educational system, that is both modern and attuned to the local needs of the developing world.

As education encompasses a wide variety of subjects, the Ofri Centre has drawn up, over the years, subjects directed at diverse populations. The main questions put forward in deciding the course content include:

• What are the educational issues and sub-issues that are most important and relevant for economic development and society building?
• What elements are there in the educational field that are important for countries in a process of development?

Thus, in focusing on both education and on the needs of the target population, three main fields of activity have been designed:

• Education, technology and science;
• Education and community;
• Adult education.

Sub-topics include:
Education in science and technology; Introduction of computers into the educational system; Use of the Internet; Curriculum development and study planning; Agricultural and rural education; Health education; Environmental education; Community schooling; Planning and managing community centres; AIDS prevention; and Basic education for adults.

The Ofri Centre encompasses the Israeli experience, its achievements, problems and challenges. The educational framework in Israel is characterized by speedy organization and finding appropriate solutions to current problems. The main challenge of the Israeli educational system today is the need to deal with massive waves of immigration that create educational problems, both from a quantitative and a qualitative point of view. Nevertheless, the rate of participation is high in the Israeli formal educational system, in all levels and in all grades, while illiteracy levels within the whole population are low. These are subjects for study and analysis, and examples for many regions facing similar problems.

The Centre directs its activities toward the formal and informal educational frameworks, while focusing on target populations such as field workers and senior decision makers. Moreover, the Centre cooperates with educators, principals, local and national educational supervisors, heads of municipal and regional educational departments, planners of study programs, senior administrators, lecturers and university staff. These professionals are considered to be agents of change, thus transferring the experience and knowledge acquired in Israel to members of the educational community in their respective countries.

In 1997, the Centre held 17 courses in Israel (English-9, Spanish-6, Russian-1, Arabic-1) as well as 3 on-the-spot courses.

The International Institute - Histadrut

1997 was a particularly active period at the International Institute of the Histadrut. Located near Kfar Saba (some 20 kilometers northeast of Tel Aviv) it is one of the largest institutions affiliated with MASHAV. The year marked some dramatic changes within the Institute's structure, with the appointment of a new executive director and integrating several entities into one organizational unit. Included within the new structure are the International Institute (which itself is an amalgamation of the Afro-Asian Institute [1958]); the Centre for Latin American Studies [1962]; the East and Central European Institute [1990]; the Jewish-Arab Institute; and the Levinson Institute.

In 1997, a total of 42 courses took place at the Institute, 37 of which were supported by MASHAV, with 1,213 participants coming from 127 countries/areas. Courses took place in the English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and in several East European languages. In addition, 23 on-site programs were carried out in Central and South America, Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean Basin.

The Institute continues to cooperate with developing countries in traditional subject areas, such as the role of the labor movement in national development and cooperative support systems for rural area development. However, new themes are constantly being incorporated, such as credit institutions for the civil society, women's empowerment programs, social security networks, rural area industrialization, community medicine, NGOs and the democratic society, structural adjustment and privatization in the economy, youth leadership, management of voluntary organizations and community empowerment. The Institute attempts to seek, together with their local counterparts, solutions to the changing needs of grassroot and community level activities for national development, through the civil society or people-based organizations. The Institute's philosophy, based on the industrialization of rural areas, facilitates the employment of the non-agricultural local population, through the creation of small and medium-size enterprises.

One of the most evident and important phenomena witnessed during 1997 was the dramatic expansion of activity in the Arabic language, as professionals from Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania and the Palestinian Authority took part in courses conducted.

The Development Study Centre

The Development Study Centre (DSC), 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, on the international scene.

The DSC has trained professionals from developing countries in the internationally recognized "Rehovot Approach," which aims at the eradication of poverty and the promotion of social-economic development.

Since its inception, about 3,000 professionals have taken part in the DSC training programs, the objectives being the enhancement of an integrated development strategy and the application of an appropriate methodology for planning and implementation throughout the developing world.

Training courses are interdisciplinary and applied-oriented. The course on Integrated Rural Regional Development Planning (IRRD) has been recognized and recommended by the Social and Economic Council of the United Nations, as stipulated in Resolution 1086, adopted in 1972.

The IRRD 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 participating country. During this stage, participants grouped into interdisciplinary teams prepare a development planning project under the guidance of DSC experts. In 1997, this course was held twice, in English and Spanish.

Fifty-three IRRD courses have been conducted since 1969, with the participation of 1,800 professionals from developing countries. Thirty-three countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Basin have hosted the practical stage of the course. For the first time, Egypt hosted the practical stage in 1997. In addition, 5 courses were conducted in Israel in the English (1), Spanish (1) and Arabic (3) languages.

The host country, where the practical stage is conducted, benefits not only from the training of its own professionals but also from an integrated development plan which includes, besides macro-regional and sectoral plans, several project profiles which may then be implemented. Many of the host countries have actually implemented most or part of the planning project.

The DSC also conducts programs on specific subjects related to social-economic development such as "Industrial Development in Rural Areas," "Local Economic Development" and "Rural Tourism Projects."

Special training courses have been conducted in the past for professionals from Egypt in such areas as "The Development of Micro-Regions and Areas of Rural Settlements" as well as for participants from the Palestinian Authority. These courses are tailor-made to meet the specific requirements of the country/authority.

Through rural regional development programs, MASHAV has been able to promote sustainable development. The exposure to the Israeli experience in rural development, the analysis of what can or cannot be adapted to local conditions, the integrative approach, and the applied-orientation, enable participants to identify unique ways to overcome development challenges in their region.

Economic Cooperation Foundation (ECF)

The activities of the ECF cover different areas of cooperation with the Palestinian Authority including economic, political and civil society levels. The ECF has a vision that the peace process cannot be a political process only. Hence, the "top-down" political process needs to be complimented by a "bottom-up approach" that brings ordinary people from both communities together. This bottom-up approach of grassroot contacts and civil society reconciliation is generally referred to as the "people-to-people" process.

For the past two and a half years, the Economic Cooperation Foundation has promoted a "people-to-people" (P2P) dialogue that brings together professionals from the two communities. This cooperation has lead to the promotion of projects that display tangible benefits of cooperation and co-existence and created Israeli-Palestinian awareness on matters which include education, culture, students and youth, health care, medicine and social welfare.

In the sphere of health and social welfare, the ECF is deeply involved both with the Palestinian Ministry of Health and with the Palestinian Council of Health (an umbrella NGO). Israeli-Palestinian joint activities target professionals who provide health care to their societies as the agents for this co-existence and cooperation dialogue. This dialogue between health care professionals impacts well beyond the professional community, influencing families and friends of the participants, their professional networks, and above all their communities. Secondly, cooperation in the realm of health care leads to a transfer of experience and technology that is ultimately beneficial to the recipients. In contributing to improved social services, these activities provide practical examples of the benefits of cooperation and provide a mechanism of social inclusion that is based on a human and institutional ripple effect.

In 1997, joint ECF-MASHAV projects included:

The basic objective of a long-term consultancy (LTC) is to facilitate the transfer of technology and knowledge and to assist in the design, implementation, management or general assessment of development projects. Its Term of Reference (TOR) is well-defined by the host country and covers a 24-month period, with an option of extension.

Long-term technical consultancies included 35 ongoing missions in 1997, of which 10 were in Africa, 8 in Asia and Oceania, 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 10 in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), 1 in the Middle East/North Africa and 1 in North America (within the framework of the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force).

Joint Programs in Research

Joint programs in research, conducted under the auspices of MASHAV in cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of The Netherlands, continued in 1997.

1. German-Israel Agricultural Research Agreement (GIARA)

During 1997, 11 agricultural research programs were carried out within the framework of this Agreement. GIARA was initiated in 1986 by MASHAV and the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation (BMZ) and will extend through 1999. Its main objective is to support trilateral agricultural research between institutions in Israel, Germany and developing countries, and enhance research capabilities.

2. Netherlands-Israel Research Program (NIRP)

The program was launched in 1992, emphasizing the social, economic and cultural aspects of rural development. The program is directed by a joint steering committee of scientists from both countries. Each research proposal is expected to include scientists from The Netherlands and Israel, and one from a developing country. In 1997, 35 research programs were conducted, including two joint research programs between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

MASHAV's worldwide reputation, acquired during its 40 years of experience in training more than 60,000 professionals from over 140 countries/areas, has prompted an ever-growing interest to enter into international cooperation agreements. Working together with the donor community, as well as with international organizations, has enabled Israel to contribute to the global efforts made toward development sustainability, in such areas as poverty-relief, human enrichment, environmental protection, gender issues, and food security.

In 1997, MASHAV signed a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements. On March 6, 1997, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank, concerning a partnership program to train selected participants from developing countries; a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on September 11, 1997, with the Mekong River Commission for technical cooperation in the fields of agriculture, water resources management, irrigation and rural development.

In addition, MASHAV has signed cooperation agreements with the following countries: the Republic of South Africa (11/3/97), the Republic of Korea (27/8/97), the Republic of Hungary (9/10/97) and the Republic of India (17/10/97).

Several agreements are currently being negotiated, with such organizations as UNCTAD, ILO and HOPE 87 (Austria). A more coordinated approach among the donor community will benefit all peoples seeking development cooperation, as well as conserving valuable resources.