“Undoubtedly, I have gained some vital skills from the course, which I believe will enhance my professional career. Besides, the knowledge, experience, and contacts I have made in this course has given me a renewed impetus to strive to become a Sustainability Expert to help unravel the complexity of interconnections between economic, environmental, social and institutional issues.”   
- Mr. Osman Fusen Yong (Ghana), Green Growth 2018

The Weitz Center for Sustainable Development conducts several international training courses annually on topics related to sustainable development. Each course is sponsored by the Israeli Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hosted at the Weitz Center facilities in Rehovot, Israel. The courses are open to professionals from a diverse range of developing (and transitioning) countries who seek to learn how to leverage local assets for strategic development. Our training methodology  originates from the understanding that all localities, regardless of their current status, hold assets which can contribute to sustainable development and that empowering individuals and communities plays a critical role in this process. Participants engage in a hands-on, intensive learning experience for an average of 25 days, benefiting from instructive experience gained from Israeli experts, industry leaders and one another through lectures, site visits and interactive sessions. All topics are examined through an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together professionals and participants from public, private and third party sectors for a unique, integrated experience.

More than 5,000 professionals have taken part in these international MASHAV  training programs. The Center focuses on empowering the participants to build on their assets for Local Economic Development. See below for information about our 2018 courses. Courses for 2019 will be published later this year. 

​ 2018 courses covered a diverse range of topics:

Dates

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22.4 -16.5.2018




 





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21.5-8.6,2018




















4-23.11,2018





















2-21.12,2018
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​Clean Technologies - Environmental technology, innovation and management systems as a means for regional and local economic development

​Clean Technology is commonly defined as a diverse range of products, services, and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources, and cut or eliminate emissions and wastes. Clean Technology includes a wide variety of environmental, social and economic activities predominantly comprising the fields of: clean production including green chemistry, resource efficiency including energy efficiency, renewable energy, information technology, green transportation, sustainable water technologies and green building. The program provided participants with knowledge and tools from the Israeli experience in clean-tech, learn from startups and companies in water technologies, energy technologies, waste management, recycling and waste to energy programs. 

​Addressing the Urbanization Challenge ​

Cities are currently home to majority of the world's population.  Over the next 30 years most of the two-billion-plus person increase in global population is expected to occur in urban areas in the developing world. If well managed, cities offer opportunities for economic and social development. Cities have always been focal points for economic growth, innovation, and employment. Cities are also centers of modern living, where indicators of general health and well being, literacy, women's status, and social mobility are typically highest. While cities command an increasingly dominant role in the global economy, rapid urban growth throughout the developing world is seriously outstripping the capacity of most cities to provide adequate services for their citizens. Of particular concern are the risks to the immediate and surrounding environment, to natural resources, to health conditions, to social cohesion, and to individual rights. For many observers, however, the greatest concern is surely the massive increase in the numbers of the urban poor. ​Israel, one of the most urbanized countries in the world, has gained extensive experience in both the revitalization of poor urban areas and the integration of immigrant social groups from various backgrounds and origins. 

Urban Water Technologies and Management 

Innovating in urban water management can be both, technical such as ICT and water infrastructure, and non-technical, such as in management and planning approaches. Innovative water managements can be seen as a combination between technologies, innovative business models for the service providers and innovative governance. The international training on Urban Water Technologies and Management–is designed to empower participants to develop a comprehensive approach to urban water management – one that includes both innovative leading technologies and innovative management tools. Israel is a small, densely populated country with few natural resources, especially water. As such, Israel developed novel technologies for conservation, resource management and implementation mechanisms. Israel's climate is mainly dry and with reoccurring droughts has over the years faced these challenges. Since its founding, limited precipitation, a difficult desert climate, water waste, lacking infrastructure and a growing population have negatively affected the water management. With the joint effort of the Israeli government, scientists and companies, Israel has managed to develop cutting-edge solutions. From seawater desalination to water conservation, water recycling, wastewater treatment and water purification – Israel has become a leader in the development of innovative water technologies.
  

Green Growth: Policy and economic measures as tools for local and regional sustainable development

​Green growth is the new revolutionary development paradigm that sustains economic growth while at the same time ensuring climatic and environmental sustainability. ​The international training Green Growth: Policy and economic measures as tools for local and regional sustainable development is designed to expose participants to new policies and economic tools reflecting costs and benefits of environmental and social impacts, necessary strategies for achieving sustainable consumption and production, measures for climate change mitigation, adaptation and energy independence, and the creation of new engines for economic growth.​ Participants of the programs were exposed to professional content regarding the conceptual transition to Green Growth, Sustainable consumption and production & resource efficiency, Environmental policy and regulations in Israel, the Israeli Water sector and water innovation, Corporate Social Responsibility, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Green growth-related entrepreneurship: startups and innovative technologies.