Planting Seeds of Peace

		AN INTERNATIONAL VOCATION
		From Israel's earliest years of statehood, the country's policy-makers were moved by a compelling desire to share the knowledge gained from Israel's own development experience. David Ben Gurion, Israel's First Prime Minister, believed that his nation's historic message was to give support to developing countries striving to advance in technolgoical and socio-economic fields.

Golda Meir considered it Isreal's duty to participate in the great venture of development cooperation. Her personal commitment to international cooperation led to the founding of MASHAV, which gave expression to the very traditions and values upon which Israel was established.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
Programs in agricultural research are carried out by specialists from Israel and the host countries, in cooperation with reserach institutions in Europe. Topics investigated range from the introduction of new crops for saline arid land to sewage water reclamation, and from the genetic improvement of poultry to the biological control of plant diseases. Trilateral research programs in agriculture and in rural development are conducted under the auspices of MASHAV in cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands. The studies are designed to ameliorate yields, thus providing more food and economic sustainability for peoples of the world.

		EMPHASIS ON AGRICULTURAL  DEVELOPMENT
		MASHAV's cooperation programs in agriculture stress the interdependence of human, material and scientific resources. Israel's experience in making barren land yield bountiful harvests demonstrates that agricultural production does serve as an engine of growth for the entire economy, capable of effecting sustainable transformations leading to improved personal income and human resource development.

IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT
Scarcity of water has forced Israel to develop highly efficient irrigation management methods. Through on-the-spot courses, MASHAV shares Isarel's expertise in the planning, design and implementation of irrigation systems, including preparation of schedules, organization and maintenance. "... I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry lands springs of water." - Isaiah 41:18

		EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES OF  KNOWLEDGE
		Israeli experts sent abroad have both a pragmatic and theoretical understanding of the multifaceted process of development in Israel and other nations. This understanding is the very basis of MASHAV's development activities overseas, which take the form of short and long-term consultancies and on-the-spot courses. Short-term consultancies are geared to provide specific advisory services and assistance in program implementation, while long-term consultancies aim at facilitating the transfer of technology and knowledge.

On-the-spot courses are held in many countries, under the guidance of Israeli specialists, and cover such fields as agriculture, community and rural development, medicine, public health and education. All programs place special emphasis on adapting technologies and methods to local conditions, and are tailor-made to suit the cultural and traditional needs of the host country. On-the-spot courses are held in many countries, under the guidance of Israeli specialists, and cover such fields as agriculture, community and rural development, medicine, public health and education. All programs place special emphasis on adapting technologies and methods to local conditions, and are tailor-made to suit the cultural and traditional needs of the host country.

RAISING COORPERATION TO NEW  LEVELS
In today's increasingly complex and demanding world, MASHAV is committed to sharing Israel's expertise and access to first-rate technology with other countries. Drawing upon Israel's own development experience, and upon the resources of Israel's renowned reserach institutes and universities, MASHAV offers a wide range of training activities, workshops, and exchange programs. MASHAV's basic areas of concern are far-reaching: agriculture; cooperation and labor studies; community development; rural development; medicine and public health; management; education; science and technology.

Timely issues, such as ecology and women in development, are also included in MASHAV's training programs. Courses are conducted both in Israel and abroad, and are designed to impart concepts, ideas and skills, enabling participants to adapt on-site solutions suited to the unique needs of their own countries and cultures.

		SHALOM CLUBS
		MASHAV's outreach to communities and nations lasts well beyond formal training. Through its network of Shalom Clubs, MASHAV provides a forum for former course participants to keep in touch with each other and to forge lasting ties of friendship and cooperation. Shalom Clubs are located in over 100 countries. Members benefit from a variety of events and lectures, enjoy social contacts with their fellow course participants, receive information published in Shalom Magazine, and are offered programs about Israel's cultural, scientific and technological achievements.

BEEKEEPING AND AQUACULTURE
Training courses in beekeeping cover such subjects as behavior in the bee colony, honey extraction, sanitation, apiary management and marketing of beehive products. Fish production in artificial ponds, modern feeding techniques, sanitation and disease control, reproduction and marketing methods are some of the subjects covered in training courses on aquaculture.

		SHARING ISRAEL'S EXPERTISE
		International training courses and study tours held in Israel cover a wide range of subjects and disciplines. They emphasize traditional areas where Israel has acquired practical experience. Agriculture is a major MASHAV focus. Courses combine theory with a hands-one approach, integrate research with project development, present concepts and ideas rather than exact models to be copied. Other courses cover a wide range of subject matter: from leadership training to community development; from agro-ecology to urban renewal; and from public health and education to computerized data management.

Courses are held at MASHAV-affiliated sutdy centers and at academic and professional institutions throughout Israel. They are designed to stretch beyond the confines of the classroom, offering methods to motivate communities, plan new projects and train future leaders.

ROLLING BACK THE DESERT
Israel is among the many nations that struggle with inadequate water resources and large arid and semi-arid areas. Through the development of innovative techniques, Israel has discovered practical ways to exploit the natural assets of its deserts and harvest scarce water supplies. MASHAV programs are designed to share Israel's expertise in responding to nature's challenges. These include developing ways to harness energy from abundant sunshine, enhance rainfall, utilize brackish and saline waters for agriculture, and transform large tracts of waste land into grazing land.

MASHAV courses also focus on cooperation to halt desertification on the border of arid zones by means of sparse plantings, which thrive on very little water. The resulting forests act as barriers against pollution and provide new areas of shade and green to enhance the quality of life.