| Founded | 1994 |
|---|---|
| Location | Amman (Headquarter), Bethlehem, Tel Aviv |
| Key people | Gidon Bromberg (Director) |
| Employees | 40 |
| Website | http://foeme.org |
Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME) is an organization active in environmental peacemaking in the Middle East.
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As a tri-lateral organization that brings together Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli environmentalists, its primary objective is the promotion of cooperative efforts to protect a shared environmental heritage. In so doing, it seeks to advance both sustainable regional development and the creation of necessary conditions for lasting peace in the region. FoEME has offices in Amman, Bethlehem, and Tel-Aviv, employs 40 paid staff and actively involves hundreds of volunteers. It is a member of Friends of the Earth International, the largest grassroots environmental organization in the world.
The people and wildlife of the region are dependent on many of the same natural resources. Shared surface and sub-surface freshwater basins, shared seas, common flora and fauna species and a shared air-shed are some of the characteristics that necessitate regional cooperation. FoEME's efforts are thus focused on the rehabilitation of the Jordan River, Dead Sea, Mountain and Coastal Aquifers and fostering awareness about the regional impact of climate change. FoEME advances these projects by publishing scientific and social research, spearheading national-level advocacy campaigns and engaging in grassroots community development. FoEME's focal program, the Good Water Neighbors project, engages residents of all ages, mayors and municipal representatives in seventeen communities throughout Israel, Palestine and Jordan in a united effort to rehabilitate the regions' shared water resources.
FoEME's three co-directors -- Gidon Bromberg (Israel), Munqeth Mehyar (Jordan) and Nader Al-Khateeb (Palestine) -- were honored by Time magazine as Environmental Heroes of 2008[1] and the organization was granted the prestigious Skoll Award in 2009.[2] FoEME also received a 2008 SEED Finalist Award.
One of FOEME's major efforts is a regional advocacy project to promote discussion and sharing of water resources. [3]
FOEME has taken a leading role in calling for action to save the Dead Sea, which may be in danger of drying up due to some environmental factors.[4] Various groups and government officials from several countries say that a pipeline from the Red Sea is needed to save the Dead Sea.[4] In June 2009, after a meeting with World Bank President Robert Zoellick, the Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister, Silvan Shalom, announced a pilot project to build a "pilot" pipe 180 km long from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The pipe would pump 200 million cubic meters per year. Half of this would be desalinated for Jordanian consumption and half put into the Dead Sea.[5] Some experts questioned this project. Hebrew University of Jerusalem Prof. Avner Adin said more studies were needed on the potential environmental impact.[6][7]
For more, see Publications tab on FoEME website
FoEME Eco-Park in the Zeiglab Basin, Jordan Valley
Good Water Neighbors and youth - "Green Mideast Peace"
Gidon Bromberg on the Jordan River Peace Park
Gidon Bromberg - Peace through environmental activism
Gidon Bromberg on the Good Water Neighbors Project