Israel's Aid To Underdeveloped Countries
By SHIMON AMIR
Every now and again people ask
why Israel so enthusiastically
maintains a complex program
of cooperation with developing
countries, despite many onerous
tasks which confront her at home.
A conversation between the presi-
dent of an African country who
was visiting Israel and the Israeli
accompanying him, serves as a
good illustration of the general Is-
raeli attitude in this respect. The
distinguished visitor toured the
country from north to south, and
after having seen the Sea of Gali-
lee, arrived at the Dead Sea. The
Israeli asked the President wheth-
er he knew why the waters of the
Sea of Galilee are fresh, whilst
those of the Dead Sea are salty.
The president did not know the
answer, and the Israeli gave him
the following explanation: "The
Sea of Galilee receives water and
pours it out again, whilst the Dead
Sea only receives it." The Presi-
dent understood the parable: Is-
rael, in order to remain a source
of fresh, life-giving water, strives
not only to receive benefits, but
also to give them to others and to
share its own experiences with
them.
The 1968 review of development and public institutions. The cen- by a department of the Ministry
assistance of the Organization for ter for agricultural assistance of Defence, which has established
Economic Cooperation and Devel- in developing countries of the pioneer youth movements, inspired
opment, the most authoritative in- Ministry of Agriculture coordinates by the example of our Gadna and
ternational body on world problems the work of hundreds of Israeli Nahal in many countries, but
of development, states: "Israel's experts abroad. Another unit of mainly in Africa. The Histadrut,
expanding program mostly takes the same ministry, the division for Israel's Federation of Labor,
the form of very efficient technical foreign training, is a part of the conducts, through its Afro - Asian
assistance, mainly to African coun- General Extension Services, and Institute and the Center for Latin
tries, but also to countries in is responsible for agricultural American Studies, programs of
Latin Amrica." In addition, some training in Israel and abroad, and training and studies in cooperation
very successful projects are now in addition, advises and takes and labour matters. A section for
operating in Asia and the eastern
Mediterranean.
Israel is most active in agricul-
ture, youth training, community
development and cooperatives.
These are the most important
fields in the developing countries
and without a concerted effort to
bring about rapid progress in all
of them, no true development can
be achieved. Israeli experience in
these fields is unique, and Israeli
assistance is in greater demand
than can be met.
Special Qualifications
The reasons for Israel's special
qualifications in this respect, are
mainly those of similar back-
ground and experience. Israel is
itself a developing country, and
itself received assistance. It has
been under foreign rule and has
therefore special understanding
for countries that have gained in-
International Cooperation
dependence from foreign domina-
Israel's international cooperation tion.
program has been in existence
Ever since the establishment of
for some years. Some 3,000 Is- the state, Israel has developed the
raelis have served abroad, some
country as rapidly as possible.
12,000 trainees from developing
This effort, combined with a striv-
countries have studied in Israel,
and many thousands have partici-
pated in local courses in the de-
veloping countries. In addition,
various public corporations, such
as Tahal (Water Planning for Is-
rael) and Wered (Water Re-
sources Development), have play-
ed a prominent part in training
local personnel for work abroad.
part in training progr a ms in medical assistance was recently
other fields. The Mount Carmel established in the Ministry of
Institute, a joint venture with So- Health and soon a specific unit
cialist Women's Organizations in for promoting cooperation in the
Scandinavian countries, specializes scientific field will be formed.
in community development among Many other ministries and institu-
women. Youth training is handled tions of higher education, such as
the Hebrew University—Hadassah
Medical School and the Haifa
Technion, Israel's Institute of
Technology, are active in coopera-
tion projects abroad and at home.
At present some 400 trainees
frcrn all parts of the world
are participating in 14 courses
in various disciplines. One of
these, for university graduates,
will devote a whole academic year
concentrating on problems of re-
gional planning and settlement,
both urban and agricultural. This
particular one is organized in con-
junction with the United Nations
and the Swedish and International
Development Agency.
ing for social equality and care
for the general welfare of the pop-
ulation have brought about a re-
markable affinity of aims and
ideals between Israel and other
developing countries.
—
The official international coop-
African students taking a course in food and applied nutrition at the Volcani Instiute of Ag-
eration programs are carried out
by specialized units of ministries ricultural Research, Rehovot.
A Message of Peace to the Great
Hebrew University of Israel
from the Detroit Friends of the University on the occasion of
Israel's 22nd Anniversary
Our links grow stronger as we strive for knowledge and for peace, as we dedicate
ourselves to the advancement of learning and the elevation, of the standards of
living of all the peoples of the Middle East.
May this era bring the peoples of the Middle East
together with knowledge as the cementing element.
GIVAT RAM CAMPUS — THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
JOSEPH J. JACKIER
Chairman, Detroit Friends
of the Hebrew University.
A-16—Friday, May 15, 1970
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
EMMA SCHAVER
ABRAHAM BORMAN
Co-Founders of Truman Center for the Advancement of Peace