|
||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Home >
News & Events >
Accelerating Integration of the Arab Community In Israel’s Economy and Businesses (1.12.2008)
Accelerating Integration of the Arab Community In Israel’s Economy and Businesses (1.12.2008)
S. Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies in Science and Technology, Technion Jewish-Arab Center for Economic Development The Authority for Economic Development of the Arab, Druze and Circassian Sectors, Prime Minister’s Office The first conference bringing together some 30 organizations and groups seeking to improve integration of the Arab community into Israel’s economy was held on Monday, Dec. 1, at the Sharon Hotel, Herzliyah-Pituah. The conference was jointly sponsored by the Jewish-Arab Center for Economic Development; the S. Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies in Science and Technology, Technion; and the Authority for Economic Development of the Arab, Druze and Circassian Sectors, Prime Minister’s Office. Morning sessions featured short presentations by each organization, showing their individual focus. Afternoon sessions centered around: how can we work together, to better achieve our joint goals? How can exploit synergies? A predominant theme of the discussions was this: Wider economic integration of Arab citizens into Israel’s businesses and economy is not only morally just, it is also strongly beneficial for Israel’s Jewish sector. Participants noted the mismatch of ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ – programs to create a supply of productive skills in the Arab community, while demand remains weak. They noted the strongly negative impact of the decision to disband Israel’s vocational education system, on the Arab sector. It was agreed that Israel’s business community can and must play a key role in Arab integration. In his opening remarks, Aiman Saif, head of the Authority for Economic Development of the Arab Sector in the Prime Minister’s Office, described the activities and programs of his relatively new office. It was decided to reconvene the Forum after the national elections, to further develop programs for cooperation and synergy. The conference was the brainchild of Prof. Seev Hirsch, Tel Aviv University, and Prof. Shlomo Maital, S. Neaman Institute.    
|
back
top