Friends of the Earth Middle East

EcoPeace Middle East
EcoPeace Middle East
Founded 1994
Location
Key people
 Munqeth Mehyar (Chairperson and Jordanian Director) , Gidon Bromberg (Israeli Director), Nader Al-Khateeb (Palestinian Director)
Employees
 40
Website http://foeme.org
Formerly called
 Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME)
The three co-directors of EcoPeace Middle East at the Jordan River. From left to right: Gidon Bromberg (Israel), Munqeth Mehyar (Jordan), Nader Al-Khateeb (Palestine)
Environmental peacemakers on the Jordan River. Center: Gidon Bromberg

EcoPeace Middle East (formerly known as Friends of the Earth Middle East/FoEME) is an organization active in environmental peacemaking in the Middle East.

Group focus and efforts

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. EcoPeace has offices in Amman, Bethlehem, and Tel-Aviv, employs 40 paid staff and actively involves hundreds of volunteers.

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. EcoPeace'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. EcoPeace advances these projects by publishing scientific and social research, spearheading national-level advocacy campaigns and engaging in grassroots community development. EcoPeace's focal program, the Good Water Neighbors project, engages residents of all ages, mayors and municipal representatives in twenty five communities throughout Israel, Palestine and Jordan in a united effort to rehabilitate the regions' shared water resources.

Awards

EcoPeace'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] EcoPeace also received a 2008 SEED Finalist Award. In 2010, EcoPeace's Good Water Neighbors project was awarded the Green Globe Award for the best Environmental Education project. In the same year, EcoPeace was the first organization chosen as the winner of the Onassis Prize for the Protection of the Environment.[3] In 2011, the International Development Committee (IDC) of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) honored EcoPeace with the Outstanding Leadership Award for its outstanding work. Also in 2011, EcoPeace received the Mount Zion Award for having significantly contributed to the understanding of the three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, in Israel.

Group issues and actions

One of EcoPeace's major efforts is a regional advocacy project to promote discussion and sharing of water resources.[4]

EcoPeace 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.[5] Various groups and government officials from several countries say that a pipeline from the Red Sea is needed to save the Dead Sea.[5] 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.[6] Some experts questioned this project. Hebrew University of Jerusalem Prof. Avner Adin said more studies were needed on the potential environmental impact.[7][8]

Reports

For more, see Publications tab on EcoPeace website

Video

EcoPeace 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

External links

References

  1. ↑ Butters, Andrew Lee. "Activists: Gidon Bromberg, Nader Al-Khateeb And Munqeth Mehyar." TIME Magazine - Heroes of the Environment 2008. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1841778_1841781_1841807,00.html
  2. ↑ "Skoll Foundation Adds Seven Organizations to its Portfolio of Leading Social Entrepreneurs - $5.35 Million in Unrestricted Grants Will Provide Flexibility in Challenging Economic Environment." Press Release: 12 March 2009. http://www.skollfoundation.org/media/press_releases/internal/031209.asp
  3. ↑ The Aristotle Onassis International Prize for the Protection of the Environment 2010 is awarded to "Friends of the Earth Middle East", November 03, 2010, 1888 Press Release.
  4. ↑ Jordanians, Palestinians and Israelis gather for a regional advocacy meeting, February 2011, EcoPeace website.
  5. 1 2 Dead Sea needs world help to stay alive by Ahmad Khatib, Agence france presse, 11/25/09.
  6. ↑ Jpost article on Silvan Shalom announcement, jpost.com, 6/28/09.
  7. ↑ Water expert: Red-Dead 'pilot' project could be premature, By EHUD ZION WALDOKS, Jun 28, 2009.
  8. ↑ Jerusalem Post editorial, June 28, 2009
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