Israeli international Development Agency (MASHAV) in Ethiopia officially launched Shalom club dedicated to all alumni and individuals, who have benefited from the trainings, over the years. The alumni club will provide Ethiopian experts and professionals in various fields a unique platform to network, share experiences and ideas, get professional updates and initiate activities to the benefit of Ethiopian society. On the Club launching event, that took place on Wednesday (16 March, 2016) Ambassador Belaynesh Zevadia said, the club would bring together individuals who had been trained through MASHAV in Israel to interact and network among themselves. She expressed her contentment after meeting the alumni who have reached top positions in their professional fields and are now in positions of influence and decision making.
MASHAV - Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation is responsible for Israel's international cooperation and assistance around the world, through the provision of guidance and training in Israel and abroad. The same applies in Ethiopia, as MASHAV’s assistance is provided in a wide variety of areas, including agriculture, medicine, and education, the advancement of the status of women, community and family. Since it was first established in 1958, more than 500 people have benefited from MASHAV training programs .
Here in Ethiopia, the Shalom Clubs will serve as a forum for MASHAV alumni to participate in professional and social activities. Members are invited to attend local lectures by skilled experts, to exchange ideas and to organize technical cooperation and humanitarian assistance as well as holding cultural functions .
MASHAV maintains contact with over 200,000 former course participants through its network of over 70 Shalom Clubs worldwide. These clubs serve as a forum for MASHAV alumni to participate in professional and social activities. Members of the Club are usually invited to attend local lectures by skilled experts, to exchange ideas and to organize technical cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
The alumni discussed with Ambassador Belaynesh on the importance of the formation of the shalom club in giving back to the community in an organized manner. The event was attended by more than 50 Ethiopian alumni who were trained in Israel as far back as 1963.