The event took place with the participation of the Program’s generous supporters, the University’s Hon. Dr. Ora Stibbe and Eytan Stibbe, Program’s leaders Prof. Emeritus Avi Sagi-Schwartz (Department of Psychology) and Prof. Yair Ziv (Department of Counseling and Human Development), as well as Rector Prof. Gur Alroey, Prof. Adar Ben-Eliyahu (Academic Head of the International School), Joel Feldshuh (President of the Israeli Friends), Ambassador Gil Haskel (Chief of State Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Ambassador Sharon Bar Li (Deputy Director General and Head of the Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs). | Photo Credit: Guy Yechiely

Ambassadors and senior diplomats from 12 countries attended the opening event of the International MA Program in Education and Development in Early Childhood at the Gallery of African Studies in Tel Aviv, hosted by Hon. Dr. Ora Stibbe and Eytan Stibbe who generously support the Program through the Anatta and Israeli Friends’ Academic Forum. The new cohort, consisting of 24 professionals from around the world in various fields of education, welfare and healthcare, will gain interdisciplinary tools to promote the wellbeing of children in developing countries, and become game changers. Led by Prof. Avi Sagi-Schwartz and Prof. Yair Ziv, the program emphasizes a holistic “tikkun olam” approach aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The program has successfully launched amid the challenging conditions brought about by the Swords of Iron War, with a diverse cohort of students hailing from 20 countries: China, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, USA, and Israel.

Event speakers included Ambassador Gil Haskel (Chief of State Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and Ambassador Sharon Bar-Li (Deputy Director General and Head of the Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs). In their heartfelt remarks, both ambassadors underscored the profound importance of the Program to the State of Israel and humanity at large, especially amidst the current challenging times. Associate Director of UNICEF’s Early Childhood Development Department welcomed the incoming cohort and highlighted the Program’s pivotal role in advancing the University’s vision of sustainability, innovation, and internationalism, particularly in its profound impact on the developing world.