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The Annual International Aid and Development Conference in Israel, in memory of Dr. Yehuda Paz, provides a unique opportunity for a professional gathering of Israel's international development and humanitarian aid community
The conference provides a singular opportunity for in-depth exploration of the complexities we've experienced since the outbreak of the war, and examine lessons and growth opportunities. Together, we'll delve into burning issues in our community and in the world of humanitarian aid and international development, and update ourselves on fascinating global trends in the field.
Acknowledgments
At SID-Israel's annual conference, we honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated significant and outstanding contributions to the field of international development and humanitarian aid. These contributions reflect values of social engagement, generosity, and community impact, innovative and groundbreaking thinking, ethics and professionalism, meaningful collaborations, Tikkun Olam, and strengthening Israel's engagement in the international arena
The recipients of the Excellence Awards were carefully selected by a special committee. The committee members are
Ilanit Litai, Director of the Ein Mezion organization, SID-Israel, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board
Shay Bialik, Director of ethics and global sustainability at the Strauss Group
Dan Catarivas, Chairman of the umbrella organization of the Israel Binational Chambers of Commerce (IFBC)
Ariel Dloomy, General Director at the Beracha Foundation, SID-Israel, Board Member
Sue Surkes-environment reporter, The Times of Israel
Ambassador Eynat Shlein, Head of MASHAV & Deputy Director General, MFA
Acknowledgments-2025
Professor Zvi Bentwich
Professor Zvi Bentwich is a trailblazer and leader in the fields of medicine and international development. In Israel, he was among the first to recognize the need to address the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, founding "Neve Or," Israel’s first AIDS clinic. He played a pivotal role in establishing the country’s first anonymous testing center, a transformative initiative that changed societal attitudes and saved countless lives
On the international stage, Zvi has dedicated his life to improving the lives of people in underprivileged communities, particularly in Africa. Through NALA, the organization he founded, he developed models for eradicating tropical diseases, achieving a reduction of up to 90% in disease prevalence. As a leading scientist, Professor Bentwich has held positions at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and UCLA and has published over 270 scientific articles.
At 89, he continues to drive social change, starting each day with exercise and advancing initiatives that impact thousands in Israel and around the globe. His work embodies scientific excellence, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to social transformation
Operation Ethiopia
Operation Ethiopia is a Jewish-Israeli organization dedicated to advancing eye health in Ethiopia, a country with over 120 million people but fewer than 300 ophthalmologists. The organization works on multiple fronts to make eye care accessible and build a sustainable local medical infrastructure, in close collaboration with local authorities
Its activities include training Ethiopian doctors in Israel in advanced fields such as oculoplastic and corneal surgery, conducting cataract surgery campaigns in remote areas, and operating mobile clinics that provide treatment, medication, and eyeglasses
Since its founding, the organization has treated over 13,000 patients in mobile clinics, performed more than 3,000 cataract surgeries, and distributed thousands of eyeglasses and medications to those in need. All activities are conducted with respect for local culture and a commitment to creating meaningful, long-term change
Registration is free, Limited seats available
Monday, January 13, 2025, Bat-Yam Design Terminal
Google Maps
Waze: Design Terminal, 32 Ehud Kinamon St., Bat Yam
Parking
If coming by car: Parking is available along the blue-and-white designated area around the Terminal. The parking lot entrance is from Dov Deutsch St. or 13 Ha'amal St.
Public Transportation
Bus lines: 140, 6, 8,10,15,18, 22, 25, 83, 88,125
Light rail: Ha'amal station Train: Disembark at Komemiyut station and take bus 6 to Bat Yam (7 stops)
United Hatzalah
United Hatzalah, established in 2006, is a volunteer-based organization with over 7,500 volunteers from all sectors of Israeli society. The volunteers operate 24/7, providing rapid first medical response through advanced technology and a nationwide network of responders.
The organization’s unique model, combining a volunteer network with advanced dispatch technology, has been adopted in numerous countries, including the United States, Brazil, India, and Ukraine, in collaboration with governments and local communities. Its critical role was especially evident during the events of October 7, when its volunteers were among the first to reach affected areas in the south and operate under fire.
In 2023 alone, United Hatzalah volunteers treated over 750,000 people. Their commitment to human dignity, continuous volunteer training, and relentless activity in routine and emergencies have made United Hatzalah a globally inspiring and exceptional organization
Energiya Global
Energiya Global, led by Yosef Abramowitz, embodies vision, innovation, and a genuine commitment to a better world. Through projects across Africa, the organization connects remote, off-grid communities to clean, sustainable, and accessible energy sources.
Their first solar field in Rwanda supplies 6% of the country’s electricity needs. In Burundi, ranked 187th out of 191 countries on the 2022 Human Development Index (HDI), Energiya Global has provided 15% of the national electricity supply and met the daytime energy needs of the capital.
These projects bring hope to communities facing daily challenges, offering them the opportunity to build a brighter future. Energiya Global is a testament to the transformative power of Israeli innovation, showcasing the immense potential of cross-sector collaboration to create impact across continents
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Speakers
Speakers
Meet the Keynote Speaker
Ms. Bathylle Missika is Head of the Networks, Partnerships and Gender Division at the OECD Development Centre. With over 20 years of experience in development, Ms. Missika oversees the Development Centre’s strategic engagement with non-state actors such as philanthropists and MNEs, while working on how gender equality and discriminatory social institutions can be further integrated into the sustainable development agenda. Ms. Missika created and currently leads the OECD Centre on Philanthropy, which produces data and analysis on philanthropy for development. Ms. Missika holds a degree (MA, Public Service) from Sciences Po in Paris, an International Affairs degree from Tufts University and an MA in International Relations and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington DC.
Bathylle Missika
Head of the Networks, Partnerships and Gender Division
OECD Development Centre
Dr. Shmuel Abramzon
The Chief Economist
Israel's Ministry of Finance
Dr. Tomer Simon
Chief Scientist, Microsoft Israel R&D Center
Prof. Dorit Nitzan
Director, Emergency Medicine Program, BGU
Yotam Polizer
CEO, IsraAID
Dr. Reut Barak Weekes
Academic Head, Glocal Program for International Development, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed
Executive Director, The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
Alice Miller
CEO, NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief
Avital Sandler-Loeff
CEO, International Development and Disaster Response, The Joint (JDC)
Dana Yaari
Head of Emergency Response, monday.com Foundation
Zafrir Asaf
SID-Israel, Chairman
Ambassador Eynat Shlein
Head of MASHAV & Deputy Director General, MFA
Ayelet Levin Karp
CEO, SID-Israel
Ariel Dloomy
General Director at the Beracha Foundation, SID Israel, Board Member
Attila Somfalvi
Strategic and political advisor, founder and CEO, As Is Consulting
בהשתתפות: רן כהן אהרונוב, מייסד שותף ומנכ"ל, Early Starters International, עדי מטלון, מומחית לאסטרטגיה, השקעות ואימפקט, שותפה בהקמת אקוסיסטם טכנולוגי לחוסן ובריאות, יובל וגנר, מנכ"ל, נגישות ישראל, ד"ר מייק נפתלי, נשיא ומייסד, טופז בינלאומי, אליאנה סאמר-גלאי, שותפה, מובילת אימפקט, Mindset-pcs
אוכלוסיות פגיעות בחירום
חיזוק חוסן הקהילה הוא כלי קריטי להתמודדות עם מצבי חירום ברחבי העולם, תוך התאמה לצרכים הייחודיים של אוכלוסיות מגוונות
בהנחיית: פרופ' ברוריה עדיני
ראש החוג לניהול מצבי חירום ואסון, אוניברסיטת תל אביב
בהשתתפות: עמליה אדלר- וקסמן, סמנכל”ית בכירה – ראש תחום קיימות (ESG) גלובלית, Teva, סיון זנא, מנהלת אחריות חברתית וגיוון והכללה, ADAMA, הילה אפרתי הלפר, מנהלת תקשורת וקשרי חוץ, דלתא גליל, יונתן בוכרדרקר, מנהל תוכניות, תוכנית פיירס לחדשנות גלובלית, ברוך ליברמן, מנכ"ל, חברים לרפואה, ליאורה ויין, שותפה, GSD Global
הזדמנויות להגדלת האימפקט
שותפויות מבוססות שילוב יכולות, ידע, ומשאבים טכנולוגיים מתקדמים מאפשרות לארגונים מכל המגזרים לפתח מענה מותאם, ופתרונות חדשניים וברי קיימה לאתגרים מקומיים וגלובליים כאחד
בהנחיית: עברי ורבין
מנכ"ל Good Vision, אחריות תאגידית מקבוצת פאהן קנה
בהשתתפות:
קיילי טלפרט, סמנכ"לת פיתוח עסקי Frnds& לשעבר,
יוני קריצ'בסקי, AI for Good - IL
מה צופן העתיד לעולם הפיתוח?
מה צופן העתיד לעולם הפיתוח? כיצד חדשנות טכנולוגית ושימוש בבינה מלאכותית יכולים לשפר תהליכים הומניטריים, למדוד אימפקט, ולהשיג יעדי פיתוח ברי קיימא?
בהנחיית: יאו לוי
מנכ"ל, Rural Senses
:With
Gideon Kedar, CEO, Kedar GAP Group and Co-Founder of Sova Platform, Tzippora Neusbaum, CEO, Fix the Chain
Transforming Agriculture: Sustainable Solutions
Innovative approaches to transforming the agricultural sector into a catalyst for economic growth and food security in emerging market.
Facilitator: Danielle Abraham
CEO, Regrow Israel
Bathylle Missika, Head of the Networks, Partnerships and Gender Division, OECDAmbassador Gideon Behar, Special envoy for climate change and sustainability, MFA, Kokwon Noel, Climate agroecologist and a Co-founder of the Ocha Kwetu tribe Africa
Climate Change and Global Development
Climate change is one of the most significant challenges of the 21st century, directly impacting economic, social, and environmental development worldwid
Facilitator: David Mandelbaum
Program Director, Pears Program for Global Innovation
Naama Gorodischer, Chief Humanitarian and Resilience Officer, IsraAid, Prof Aron Troen, The institute of Biochemistry Food and Nutrition Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israeli Aid Activity in the Middle East
The complexity of working in Gaza and neighboring countries for Israeli humanitarian organizations - the opportunities, challenges, and the need for smart and organized government policy
Facilitator: Barak Talmor
Program director, Jumpstarting Hope in Gaza, Arava Institute
Ambassador Mrs. Ava Atzum Arévalo de Moscoso, Ambassador of Guatemala in Israel
Ambassador Mr. Daulet Yemberdiyev Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Israel
Ambassador Mr. Alex Gabriel Kallua Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in Israel
International Aid and Development: A Space for Action
Initiatives, and Collaboration between Israel and Developing Countries
Moderator: Ambassador Mrs. Eynat Shlein
Head of MASHAV & Deputy Director General, Ministry of foreign Affairs
Round tables
Agenda
09:30
.
Gathering & Coffee
10:00
Official opening
Ayelet Levin Karp, CEO SID-Israel
In memory of Dr. Yehuda Paz: Ariel Dloomy - General Director at the Beracha Foundation, SID-Israel, Board Member
10:15
Everyone has a plan… until you get punched in the face: repositioning development cooperation in the era of uncertainty. Key Note Speaker Bathylle Missika
Bathylle Missika, Head of Gender, Philanthropy, and Partnerships at OECD, will share global insights on how cross-sectoral partnerships turn the impossible into reality
10:45
Investment & Development
Dr. Shmuel Abramzon, Chief Economist, Ministry of Finance, Israel
Dr. Tomer Simon, Chief Scientist at Microsoft Israel R&D Center
11:00
Navigating International Development as an Israeli Organization after October 7th
Prof. Dorit Nitzan, Director of the Emergency Medicine Program, BGU
Yotam Polizer, Chief Executive Officer, IsraAID
11:15
Growing through Challenges – From Local Strength to Global Expertise
Panel Discussion with:
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, Executive Director, The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
Avital Sandler-Loeff, Executive Director, International Development and Disaster Response
Alice Miller, CEO, NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief
Dana Yaari, Emergency Response Team Lead, Monday.ERT
Moderator: Dr. Reut Barak Weekes, Academic Head, Glocal International Development Program, The Hebrew University
11:45
Awards Ceremony
Honoring the awards' recipients
Zafrir Asaf, SID-Israel, Chairman
Ambassador Eynat Shlein, Head of MASHAV & Deputy Director General, MFA
12:00
Coffee break
A short break to refresh and connect with fellow colleagues
12:15
Peer Learning: What Did We Learn in 2024
Peer discussions to share your experiences, present practical insights, and discuss challenges
13:15
Lunch
Wrapping up the day with a light lunch, good music, and networking you won't find anywhere else
Fair Planet
More than eight years ago, Fair Planet was established with a clear mission: to bridge the seed gap and provide smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and Tanzania with high-quality seeds, enabling them to break the cycle of poverty and malnutrition and achieve agricultural stability. The organization has set up three training centers in Ethiopia, tailored to local conditions, and established over 2,300 model farms, which have trained more than 75,000 farmers and positively impacted the lives of over 485,000 people.
Through collaborations with international and local partners such as Syngenta, Bayer, and Haramaya University, the organization delivers precise solutions to improve agricultural infrastructure. Even during challenging times, Fair Planet has continued its dedicated work, becoming a symbol of global change.
Thank you to the Fair Planet team for their commitment to innovation and collaboration, which empowers many communities worldwide with a brighter and more hopeful future
Read by eight to ten million users each month, The Times of Israel is an independent news site launched in 2012. It is published in English and translated into French, Arabic and Persian. Its sister site, Zman Israel publishes in Hebrew
The Times of Israel has no partisan political affiliation. It seeks to present the news about Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world as fairly and accurately as possible, round the clock, through articles and daily podcasts. It offers a wide range of opinions through its opinion pieces and blogs section
SID-Israel community membership allows participation in professional development events and activities, access to a variety of SID-Israel services and programs, as well as opportunities for strategic collaborations in the community and beyond.