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I entered into the third millennium in Israel. My first trip there started on January 1st, 2000. I left with beautiful memories, from the spirituality and mix of cultures and religions of Jerusalem to the contemporary museum and lively atmosphere of Tel Aviv, the majesty of the Masada fortress or the emotion felt in the old city of Acre.
Since my nomination as Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, I paid two joint visits to Israel and Palestine, in November 2013 and March 2017. Each time, I had the privilege to meet extraordinary people both from official institutions and the civil society. Three visits particular inspired me.
I began my stay this year at the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center, chaired by Ms. Hava Karrie. Located in Haifa, this MASHAV center was established to provide capacity building programs for women from several origins and continents. I made a speech in a course attended by Jordanian and Palestinian women, who were trained to enhance their role in the development of their communities, in a dialogue leading to education for peace.
I was also impressed by my visit to the technology center Moona, in Majd Al-Krum, in the center of Galilee, an NGO managed by Jewish – Arab staff and created by a former IDF pilot, Mr Asaf Brimer. Groups of young people from surrounding Arab villages were building drones and robots. I was amazed by the creative and stimulating atmosphere of this space, aiming to enable young people to dream and fulfill their aspirations, through enhancing education, entrepreneurship and scientific–technological innovation as a means for regional development.
The Eastern Mediterranean International School (EMIS), a project labeled by the Union for the Mediterranean, was the last visit of my trip. Located in Hakfar Hayarok, a youth village and educational campus at the center of Israel, EMIS fosters intercultural understanding and promotes personal and social leadership. This unique international boarding high school has the mission of making education a force for peace and sustainability in the Middle East.
When I arrived at the heart of the campus, it felt like I was pushing the door toward an inspiring learning environment allowing real personality development for all students. EMIS’ goal is to provide a high quality, challenging education in order to prepare young students for their future professional careers, especially by providing training on peace building and negotiation. Led by Director Rachelle Schilo, we entered a classroom full of students from all over the world, sitting together endeavouring to tackle their common concerns and build their futures. I discussed with some Israeli, Palestinian, Swedish and Italian girls, and was struck by their confidence in their own capacity to contribute improving society after having completed the programme. The UfM Secretariat is promoting the project and will support its 2017 annual Youth Organized Collaboration of Peace and Sustainability’ (YOCOPAS) conference.
Co-chaired by the European Union and Jordan, the Union for the Mediterranean is an inter-governmental regional organization working towards common goals such as regional stability, human development and regional integration. Its activities mainly relate to youth employability and training, sustainable development, women empowerment and inclusive growth. The Roadmap adopted in January 2017 by the 43 Ministers of Foreign affairs of the European Union and Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries also stresses its mandate to work on intercultural dialogue, namely in the areas of women, youth and education.
Israel is a founding Member of the UfM, which is proud to offer a unique platform for all countries of the region to meet, exchange best practices and promote concrete projects. We know that our challenges are common, and we need to join hands to address them and meet the legitimate expectations of the people of the region.
Delphine Borione, Senior Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, visits regional initiatives on Women and Youth.
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