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Our annual letter to our graduates
Rehovot, December 2009.
Dear colleagues and friends,
On the eve of the New Year we are most pleased to renew our contact with our graduates wishing you good health, happiness, prosperity and peace.
As always, we are happy to share with you, all that's going on in our Center, as well as our plans for next year. First of all we are happy to write this letter with our new logo.
During 2009 we conducted a large number of capacity building activities
· 4 international courses and 3 Seminars (5 in English, 2 in Spanish). The courses took place within the framework of MASHAV, and most of them in collaboration with UN-HABITAT.
· 8 delegations from Chile, India, Mexico & Nigeriaand arrived for Study Visits in Israel in a variety of subjects.
· 2 activities were conducted in Colombia: an On the Spot Course on Integrated Rural Development and a Short Term Assessment Mission of the East Yanos Region.
· The Weitz Center continues, in the frameworkof MASHAV and in collaboration with UN Habitat and the Joint organization, to assist in the establishment of a Strategic Planning Unit in Kissumu, Kenya. Yossi Offer is in charge of this activity
Julia Margulies was a plenary speaker in the ONU HABITAT Conference “El derecho a la Ciudad en los municipios del CONLESTE y los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio” in Niteroi Brazil
The first Weitz Center International has officially opened in Argentina. Many of our graduates participated in the Inauguration event in October. For information on the WCI activities please enter the website www.fundacionwci.org
The Forth International Competition in memoriam of Prof. Raanan Weitz on "Integrated Development Projects" was conducted. The winner of the Competition is Commissioner Belen Paz Roque-Alanzalon from the Philippines. Her project on "Providing Secure Tenure for the Families Affected (KARISMA) by the Northrail" was selected from among 20 projects from 10 countries all over the world. She presented the project in a Professional meeting in Rehovot conducted jointly with the Israeli Planners Association on "Israel and the Developing World: Aspects of Planning and Development".
Our Training programs scheduled within the framework of MASHAV for 2010 are as follows:
Sustainable tourism development as a tool for regional development in Sub Saharan Africa
English - 25 days
8.2 - 4.3.2010
Local assets for community-economic development
English - 30 days
6.4 - 5.5.2010
Municipal capacities for slums upgrading and delivery of services to the urban poor
English - 25 days
10.5 – 3.6.2010
Mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages into planning and development
English - 25 days
7.6 – 2.7.2010
Estrategias de desarrollo para la reducción de la pobreza
Spanish - 25 days
23.8 - 16.9.2010
Promoción del desarrollo económico local mediante la planificación estratégica
Spanish - 25 days
4.10 – 28.10.2010
The programs reflect the policy towards achieving a concrete impact in the field on the one hand and towards collaboration with Israeli relevant ministries and international organizations on the other.
Please recommend suitable candidates for the courses and Study Visits and share with us any relevant information of your country's development priorities and projects in which we could cooperate.
You can always find updated information of our activities in our web site www.weitz-center.org
The next Rehovot Conference on "Inclusive Sustainable Development Initiatives – Sharing Local and Regional Best Practices" will take place on November 29th – December 1st, 2010. We will soon send additional detailed information. We look forward to your participation at the Conference.
We thank all our graduates who wrote to us during this year and wish again for quick recovery to all the countries who suffered of loss of lives due to natural disasters or terror attacks.
Do not forget to update us of your current details (telephone, fax, e-mail address) by our
E-mail: training@netvision.net.il, including your professional/public development and ask your fellow graduates to do the same. We wish you and your families Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Best regards from all of us.
Julia Margulies
Director General
Rehovot, December 2009.
Dear colleagues and friends,
On the eve of the New Year we are most pleased to renew our contact with our graduates wishing you good health, happiness, prosperity and peace.
As always, we are happy to share with you, all that's going on in our Center, as well as our plans for next year. First of all we are happy to write this letter with our new logo.
During 2009 we conducted a large number of capacity building activities
· 4 international courses and 3 Seminars (5 in English, 2 in Spanish). The courses took place within the framework of MASHAV, and most of them in collaboration with UN-HABITAT.
· 8 delegations from Chile, India, Mexico & Nigeriaand arrived for Study Visits in Israel in a variety of subjects.
· 2 activities were conducted in Colombia: an On the Spot Course on Integrated Rural Development and a Short Term Assessment Mission of the East Yanos Region.
· The Weitz Center continues, in the frameworkof MASHAV and in collaboration with UN Habitat and the Joint organization, to assist in the establishment of a Strategic Planning Unit in Kissumu, Kenya. Yossi Offer is in charge of this activity
Julia Margulies was a plenary speaker in the ONU HABITAT Conference “El derecho a la Ciudad en los municipios del CONLESTE y los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio” in Niteroi Brazil
The first Weitz Center International has officially opened in Argentina. Many of our graduates participated in the Inauguration event in October. For information on the WCI activities please enter the website www.fundacionwci.org
The Forth International Competition in memoriam of Prof. Raanan Weitz on "Integrated Development Projects" was conducted. The winner of the Competition is Commissioner Belen Paz Roque-Alanzalon from the Philippines. Her project on "Providing Secure Tenure for the Families Affected (KARISMA) by the Northrail" was selected from among 20 projects from 10 countries all over the world. She presented the project in a Professional meeting in Rehovot conducted jointly with the Israeli Planners Association on "Israel and the Developing World: Aspects of Planning and Development".
Our Training programs scheduled within the framework of MASHAV for 2010 are as follows:
Sustainable tourism development as a tool for regional development in Sub Saharan Africa
English - 25 days
8.2 - 4.3.2010
Local assets for community-economic development
English - 30 days
6.4 - 5.5.2010
Municipal capacities for slums upgrading and delivery of services to the urban poor
English - 25 days
10.5 – 3.6.2010
Mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages into planning and development
English - 25 days
7.6 – 2.7.2010
Estrategias de desarrollo para la reducción de la pobreza
Spanish - 25 days
23.8 - 16.9.2010
Promoción del desarrollo económico local mediante la planificación estratégica
Spanish - 25 days
4.10 – 28.10.2010
The programs reflect the policy towards achieving a concrete impact in the field on the one hand and towards collaboration with Israeli relevant ministries and international organizations on the other.
Please recommend suitable candidates for the courses and Study Visits and share with us any relevant information of your country's development priorities and projects in which we could cooperate.
You can always find updated information of our activities in our web site www.weitz-center.org
The next Rehovot Conference on "Inclusive Sustainable Development Initiatives – Sharing Local and Regional Best Practices" will take place on November 29th – December 1st, 2010. We will soon send additional detailed information. We look forward to your participation at the Conference.
We thank all our graduates who wrote to us during this year and wish again for quick recovery to all the countries who suffered of loss of lives due to natural disasters or terror attacks.
Do not forget to update us of your current details (telephone, fax, e-mail address) by our
E-mail: training@netvision.net.il, including your professional/public development and ask your fellow graduates to do the same. We wish you and your families Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Best regards from all of us.
Julia Margulies
Director General
Raanan Weitz Award 2009 - "And the winner is..."
We are glad to announce that Mrs. Belen Paz Roque Alanzalon from the Philippines is the winner of the 4th Raanan Weitz Competition on Integrated Regional Development Projects for her project "A Dot on the Map, A Spot in History - Providing secure tenure for the families affected by the North Rail Project".
Mrs. Belen Alanzalon is Commissioner at the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, in Malacañang, Manila, Philippines. The prize is a trip to Israel and the chance to present her development project at a conference that will take place on December 1st, before an audience of Israeli experts and professionals.
The Weitz Center for Development Studies organizes this competition on an annual basis in order to reward those development projects inspired by the "Rehovot Approach" that have had a positive impact on the quality of life of the population.
Congratulations to Mrs. Belen Paz Roque Alanzalon!!!!!
We are glad to announce that Mrs. Belen Paz Roque Alanzalon from the Philippines is the winner of the 4th Raanan Weitz Competition on Integrated Regional Development Projects for her project "A Dot on the Map, A Spot in History - Providing secure tenure for the families affected by the North Rail Project".
Mrs. Belen Alanzalon is Commissioner at the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, in Malacañang, Manila, Philippines. The prize is a trip to Israel and the chance to present her development project at a conference that will take place on December 1st, before an audience of Israeli experts and professionals.
The Weitz Center for Development Studies organizes this competition on an annual basis in order to reward those development projects inspired by the "Rehovot Approach" that have had a positive impact on the quality of life of the population.
Congratulations to Mrs. Belen Paz Roque Alanzalon!!!!!
Delegation of the OAS visited the Weitz Center for Development Studies
A delegation of the Organization of American States (OAS) visited the Weitz Center for Development Studies on Wednesday, December 9. Mr. Kristjan Sigurdson and Mrs. Claudia S. de Windt, on behalf of the OAS headquarter in Washington D.C., met with Mrs. Julia Margulies, Director General of the Weitz Center, to get an insight of the Center’s activities and to explore potential new ways to cooperate.
Mr. Sigurdson is a Canadian citizen who works in the OAS Department of Human Development, Education and Culture and he is focused on distance learning programs which use ICT. Mrs. Windt was born in Dominican Republic and is a lawyer specialized in environmental issues and legislation, as well as in sustainable development.
Later that day, the visitors attended a session of the course “Promoting Local Economic Development through Strategic Planning” for professionals of Latin America and had the opportunity to speak with the participants.
The Organization of American States has expressed its interest in increasing its cooperation with MASHAV, the Agency for International Cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the institutions that operate on its behalf, among them, the Weitz Center for Development Studies.
A delegation of the Organization of American States (OAS) visited the Weitz Center for Development Studies on Wednesday, December 9. Mr. Kristjan Sigurdson and Mrs. Claudia S. de Windt, on behalf of the OAS headquarter in Washington D.C., met with Mrs. Julia Margulies, Director General of the Weitz Center, to get an insight of the Center’s activities and to explore potential new ways to cooperate.
Mr. Sigurdson is a Canadian citizen who works in the OAS Department of Human Development, Education and Culture and he is focused on distance learning programs which use ICT. Mrs. Windt was born in Dominican Republic and is a lawyer specialized in environmental issues and legislation, as well as in sustainable development.
Later that day, the visitors attended a session of the course “Promoting Local Economic Development through Strategic Planning” for professionals of Latin America and had the opportunity to speak with the participants.
The Organization of American States has expressed its interest in increasing its cooperation with MASHAV, the Agency for International Cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the institutions that operate on its behalf, among them, the Weitz Center for Development Studies.
Opening of the Weitz Center International in Argentina
The official opening of the Weitz Center International Foundation took place on Friday, October 9th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Entitled "International Conference on Local Development: Local Development as an Engine for Integration. Mechanisms for Poverty Reduction", this on day event featured renowned local and foreign speakers.
Almost 400 participants attended the event, including municipal, provincial and national authorities from Argentina and other Latin American countries, consultants, scholars, alumni of Weitz Center's courses in Israel and people interested in development. Architect Fernando Romero, Chairman of the Weitz Center International Foundation, spoke first. He said that this event and the establishment of the WCI Foundation was the accomplishment of a long time dream. Former Secretary of Public Works of the Municipality of San Isidro, north of the city of Buenos Aires, Romero expressed his vision of implementing projects and ideas to improve the living conditions of the population.
Next, Julia Margulies, Director General of the Weitz Center for Development Studies, introduced the institution to the audience. She said that since 1963 the Weitz Center has taken upon itself the responsibility of the Israeli international cooperation efforts in the areas of local and regional development. Julia Margulies expressed her excitement for the opening of the first international branch of the Weitz Center. The WCI Foundation's aim will be to increase and improve the Center's training, consulting, and project planning and implementation activities in the area.
The Israeli Ambassador to Argentina, Mr. Daniel Gazit, was the guest of honor. He extended his congratulations and wishes of success to Architect Fernando Romero and his staff, as well as to the Weitz Center of Israel. Following the Ambassador, several guest speakers expressed their views on development. Rabbi Sergio Bergman, who is involved in social activities in Argentina, spoke about values and social responsibility as key factors for development. Mr. Eric Vittrup Christensen, representative of UN Habitat – Rolac, explained the international organization's vision on local and regional economic development planning. Among other things, he emphasized the importance of incorporating the informal markets of poor urban areas into the local planning activities. Afterwards, he answered questions raised by the participants.
The following panel included Architect Maria Cristina Nieto Suanno, Executive Director of the Housing Institute of the construction workers union - "UOCRA", and Mr. Guillermo Dietrich, businessman and representative of the Industrial Union of Argentina, UIA. The two debated the lack of housing and underdevelopment in the area.
At the end of the day, an award was given to Miriam Walikiria Siekavizza Alvarez, of Guatemala, for winning the 2008 Raanan Weitz International Development Projects Contest, for her project of Integrated Development for the Municipality of Santiago Atitlan. The following day, a reduced group of organizers, participants and international visitors toured the poor area known as "Villa La Cava" in the Municipality of San Isidro. Those who now are part of the WCI Foundation's staff were in charge of the implementation of an important urban development project including house and health centers construction. Later on, at the WCI Foundation's headquarters, representatives of several Latin American countries presented development projects that are currently being implemented and explained the reasons of their success.
Both the organizers and the participants of the conference see the inauguration of the International Weitz Center Foundation as an opportunity to improve local policies and practices in Argentina and Latin America and to continue working with renewed energies for development and poverty reduction.
The official opening of the Weitz Center International Foundation took place on Friday, October 9th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Entitled "International Conference on Local Development: Local Development as an Engine for Integration. Mechanisms for Poverty Reduction", this on day event featured renowned local and foreign speakers.
Almost 400 participants attended the event, including municipal, provincial and national authorities from Argentina and other Latin American countries, consultants, scholars, alumni of Weitz Center's courses in Israel and people interested in development. Architect Fernando Romero, Chairman of the Weitz Center International Foundation, spoke first. He said that this event and the establishment of the WCI Foundation was the accomplishment of a long time dream. Former Secretary of Public Works of the Municipality of San Isidro, north of the city of Buenos Aires, Romero expressed his vision of implementing projects and ideas to improve the living conditions of the population.
Next, Julia Margulies, Director General of the Weitz Center for Development Studies, introduced the institution to the audience. She said that since 1963 the Weitz Center has taken upon itself the responsibility of the Israeli international cooperation efforts in the areas of local and regional development. Julia Margulies expressed her excitement for the opening of the first international branch of the Weitz Center. The WCI Foundation's aim will be to increase and improve the Center's training, consulting, and project planning and implementation activities in the area.
The Israeli Ambassador to Argentina, Mr. Daniel Gazit, was the guest of honor. He extended his congratulations and wishes of success to Architect Fernando Romero and his staff, as well as to the Weitz Center of Israel. Following the Ambassador, several guest speakers expressed their views on development. Rabbi Sergio Bergman, who is involved in social activities in Argentina, spoke about values and social responsibility as key factors for development. Mr. Eric Vittrup Christensen, representative of UN Habitat – Rolac, explained the international organization's vision on local and regional economic development planning. Among other things, he emphasized the importance of incorporating the informal markets of poor urban areas into the local planning activities. Afterwards, he answered questions raised by the participants.
The following panel included Architect Maria Cristina Nieto Suanno, Executive Director of the Housing Institute of the construction workers union - "UOCRA", and Mr. Guillermo Dietrich, businessman and representative of the Industrial Union of Argentina, UIA. The two debated the lack of housing and underdevelopment in the area.
At the end of the day, an award was given to Miriam Walikiria Siekavizza Alvarez, of Guatemala, for winning the 2008 Raanan Weitz International Development Projects Contest, for her project of Integrated Development for the Municipality of Santiago Atitlan. The following day, a reduced group of organizers, participants and international visitors toured the poor area known as "Villa La Cava" in the Municipality of San Isidro. Those who now are part of the WCI Foundation's staff were in charge of the implementation of an important urban development project including house and health centers construction. Later on, at the WCI Foundation's headquarters, representatives of several Latin American countries presented development projects that are currently being implemented and explained the reasons of their success.
Both the organizers and the participants of the conference see the inauguration of the International Weitz Center Foundation as an opportunity to improve local policies and practices in Argentina and Latin America and to continue working with renewed energies for development and poverty reduction.
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Tourism as a Tool for Local and Regional Development
The course on "Tourism as a Tool for Local and Regional Development" has ended on July 24th. Prior to the Closing Ceremony the participants presented the projected that they formulated during the course. The presentation was very successful and demonstrated all the knowledge acquired by the participants during the course.
Mr. George Kwanya, 1st. Secretary of the Embassy of Kenya participated at the presentation and the Closing Ceremony and conveyed the Certificates to the graduates.
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The course took place within the framework of MASHAV – Center for International Cooperation, MASHAV, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 30 professionals from Kenya participated in the Course.
In addition to indoor lectures, the program included also professional visits to different tourism sites in Mate Yehuda Regional Council, to the town of Tiberias and holy places around the Lake of Galilee and to Tel-Aviv.
Course and Seminar on Local and Regional Competitivity for Latin America Countries
On April 1st, took place the closing ceremony of the course and Seminar on "Local and Regional Competitivity" for Latin America Countries.
Diplomatic representatives of 10 countries participated in the Ceremony and according to our tradition the choir of participants sang Hebrew songs.
Course and Seminar on Local and Regional Competitivity for Latin America Countries
On April 1st, took place the closing ceremony of the course and Seminar on "Local and Regional Competitivity" for Latin America Countries.
Diplomatic representatives of 10 countries participated in the Ceremony and according to our tradition the choir of participants sang Hebrew songs.
Both activities took place within the framework of MASHAV – Center of International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with UN-HABITAT. 24 professionals from 10 countries participated in the course of 25 days and 17 officials and mayors of local and regional governments from 7 countries participated in the seminar of 8 days.
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INTERNATIONAL COURSE ON LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIES FOR POVERTY REDUCION IN AFRICA
The closing ceremony of the English International course on "Local Development and Strategies for Poverty Reduction in Africa" took place on June 3rd in our Center.
Ms. Ronit Shpindel the Administrative Coordinator of the course opened the Ceremony. Following her addressed the audience Mrs. Julia Marguiles, Director General of the Weitz Center; Ambassador Yossef Hasson, on behalf of Mashav – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel; Mr. Yossef Offer the Director of Training of the Weitz Center and Academic Coordinator of the course and H.E. Mr. Sam Azubuike Dada Olisa– Ambassador of Nigeria, on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps.
Ms. Ronit Shpindel the Administrative Coordinator of the course opened the Ceremony. Following her addressed the audience Mrs. Julia Marguiles, Director General of the Weitz Center; Ambassador Yossef Hasson, on behalf of Mashav – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel; Mr. Yossef Offer the Director of Training of the Weitz Center and Academic Coordinator of the course and H.E. Mr. Sam Azubuike Dada Olisa– Ambassador of Nigeria, on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps.
The participants received the Graduation Certificates and the insignia of the "SHALOM CLUB" of MASHAV, a pictorial guide and souvenir of Israel and the book by Prof. Raanan Weitz "Integrated Rural Development – the Rehovot Approach".
Ms. Beatha Swai from Tanzania greeted MASHAV and the Weitz Center of behalf of the participants. She expressed their satisfaction of the course and their gratitude to the Center for International Cooperation, MASHAV, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and to the Weitz Center, and promised to act as Ambassadors of Good-Will of the State of Israel in their respective countries.
As always, the Choir of the course participants touched the audience with a few songs in Hebrew and then in English.
As always, the Choir of the course participants touched the audience with a few songs in Hebrew and then in English.
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The Course opened on May 11, with the participation of 26 professionals from Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The Course was conducted within the framework of MASHAV- Center for International Cooperation, MASHAV, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with UN-HABITAT.
