Mandel Program for Regional Leadership in the Gaza Border Communities
The goal of the program is to train a group of high-quality leaders who will work to significantly improve various areas of life for residents of the Western Negev
Program Goals
- To cultivate outstanding leaders from the Gaza border region, with an emphasis on developing individual capabilities, formulating a values-based worldview, and gaining a fresh perspective on the region as individuals and as a community.
- To promote initiatives that are designed to improve the lives of residents of the Gaza border region, in light of the challenges the communities face in general, and in recent years in particular.
- To develop regional resilience that can improve quality of life in the Gaza border region and throughout the entire Negev.
- To create and strengthen shared spaces for the different communities of the Negev, while fostering partnerships, ideas, and practical solidarity.
Study Units
The study program is based on four main categories:
- Values, worldview, and identity: In-depth exploration of concepts; philosophical study of values and their meaning; examination and clarification of identity and worldview.
- Space and place: Study of the main characteristics and challenges associated with the places and spaces in which the fellows operate; examination of the fundamental issues facing Israeli society from an economic, social, historical, and cultural perspective, with reference to the particular characteristics and challenges of the Gaza border area.
- Policy, government, and local government: Study of the challenges and complexities of governance; developing “compasses” for navigating the processes of policymaking.
- Leadership and practice: Study of patterns of leadership and competing leadership styles; theoretical and practical encounters with leaders; examination of the concept and phenomenon of an “act of leadership” on the level of the individual, the community, and the town or city.
The program will also include a practical component designed to give participants hands-on experience in applying their ideas in practice. Bridging the gap between theory and practice will serve as a basis for both action and reflection. The training process combines group study, individual tutoring, field trips, and intensive seminars.
Admissions Requirements
- A commitment to advancing the Gaza border region
- A desire to bring about social change
- Willingness to study and to change
- A bachelor's degree or the equivalent from a recognized institution
- Ability to devote the necessary time to the program and to participate in all its components
General Information
- The program will open in October 2020 and will continue for two academic years, with sessions held weekly on Thursdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. A number of additional sessions for individual tutoring will be held on Tuesday afternoons.
- Studies will be held at the Mandel Center for Leadership in the Negev in Beer Sheva. The program will also include a number of field trips and retreats in other parts of the country.
- There is no tuition for participation in the program, which is sponsored in full by the Mandel Foundation–Israel.
- On completion of the program, fellows who have met all the requirements will receive a certificate of graduation.
For further information:
Email: Miyun-MCLN@mandel.org.il
Phone: Tal Shemesh, 08-620-1444
