Introduction

In Israel where land, water, energy and other natural resources are limited or non-existent, environmental research is not a luxury - it is a matter of survival. With a rapidly growing population and advanced industrial development, Israel has had to use every available centimeter of land, ray of sunshine and drop of water; all while ensuring that its intensive use of resources would not harm the environment.

Paradoxically, these very constraints challenged Israeli scientists towards technological developments that have placed the country at the forefront of a number of fields; including water management, solar energy, and biotechnology.

Today, with its long-standing environmental awareness and advanced scientific infrastructure, the country has become a world leader in promoting environmental initiatives and in sharing its cutting-edge technologies.

Globally, policy makers and professionals are challenged with minimizing the impact of human society and industry on the natural environment. They seek to maximize socio-economic potential, while preventing consequences that threaten the integrity of the land and its resources, and interfere with the pursuit of quality of life. They aim to create long-term policies that will maintain efficient, cost-effective and economically safe systems. Progress in this direction requires study of successful strategies and technologies, as well as an innovative mind set. The Environmental Management Program offers both.

Program Description

During the program, participants will be exposed to practical tools and expert knowledge founded on experience. They will acquire techniques for problem solving in an approach that is sensitive to the conditions of the society at hand, rather than blindly adapting policies and technologies that succeed in other frameworks.

In Israel, industries and cities have made great strides in tackling environmental challenges by considering the resources that are both present and absent, and by problem solving in a context sensitive way. By participating in study tours, participants will meet personally with professionals behind such efforts, gaining the chance to ask questions about the process and about specific attempts to overcome particular challenges.

During lecture hours, the subjects will be presented on a broader scale in an environment that promotes interaction and knowledge sharing. This includes knowledge sharing with the other participants who will arrive from various countries and fields. All of the participants will go home with a concrete plan in their hand for tackling an environmental challenge in their own community. Before they are sent on their way, they will receive guidance on how to persuade those in power to take the proper actions.

Program Participants

The program is designed for: senior government officials, directors of regional offices responsible for the environmental sector, employees of NGOs and the private sector, and consultants in the environmental sector. It is also intended for executives and professionals whose work affects various facets of the environment.