This article examines how German environmental policymaking over the last 40 years transformed Europe’s economic engine into the international driver of green growth.

Exactly 11 years ago, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1325 (October 31, 2000). This groundbreaking resolution sent a significant message to many countries,including Israel.  The principles of the decision, which emphasize representation of women in peace negotiations and increased protection of women and children against violence in conflict situations, were found to be very relevant to the Israeli society that has been dealing with a long-term conflict situation over the years.  Adv. Anat Thon Ashkenazi of the NGO Itach-Maaki Women Lawyers for Social Justice - a partner of the Israel office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, describes the efforts of the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Israel to date.

For the first few weeks of the housing-cum-social protests in Israel, nothing else seems to matter. For at least a week or two after the “J14” protests began (on July 14, in Tel Aviv), the press happily let it muscle out everything else – Palestinians, Iran, September, democracy barely reached back pages of the papers. Everything seemed drowned out by a chorus of wonder and amazement at the growing numbers of protesters flooding the streets weekly, including tens of thousands who have demonstrated or set up camps in at least 13 other cities or towns around the country. Only the crashing global markets seem to have penetrated the euphoria.

The post-war novel by Hans Fallada Alone in Berlin (Jeder stirbt fuer sich allein, published in 1947 in East Berlin) became a major success in Israel during the past year. Yossi Yonah, professor of philosophy at the Jerusalem-based Van Leer Institute, is looking into the Israeli perception of the novel. He comes up with two surprising aspects: that the Israelis are geared to have a more nuanced picture of Nazi Germany and that they are drawing conclusions for the democratic future of their own country.  
Originally written for the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Israel, the article was published in the German weekly  “Der Freitag” with the assistance of the Tel Aviv Office.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Israel office sponsored the Israel premiere of „The Green Wave“, Germany 2010, directed by Ali Samadi Ahadi  – a renowned documentary about the uprising in Iran following the presidential elections of 2009. The premier took place  at this year's Jerusalem Film Festival on July 11, 2011 where it received an honorable mention by the festival jury.

German Israeli Literature Days 2011: Parallel Worlds. Parallel Worlds is the title of this year’s literature days organized by the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Tel Aviv together with the Goethe Institute, taking place at various locations in the city from October 24th to 29th, 2011.  Five authors from Israel will meet during a period of 5 days with their German and Swiss counterparts. They will read from their most recess books and discuss with the public the subject of parallel worlds. The week starts with the panel discussion including Israeli, Swiss and German intellectuals on the challenges the modern world is confronted with and how human rights and multiculturalism are dealt with in the three societies respectively. 

Transnational Migration and Multiculturalism A seminar will be held in November In cooperation with the Jerusalem-based Van Leer Institute, to discuss the impact of mass migration in Europe, Germany and Israel. It will address the changing national self-perception, the re-nationalization of the state in Europe and immigration politics in both countries.

Israel Energy Forum, Promoting Energy Conservation in Israel – By working with stakeholders in different sectors including industry, local and national government, utility companies and tourism, the Israel Energy Forum aims to promote policies that increase energy efficiency and reduce demand that will lead to a more sustainable energy policy in Israel.

Life & Environment, Paths to Sustainability NGO Coalition – The Sustainability Coalition, while working with its member organizations, seeks to impact Israeli policy on climate change through the production of reports and position papers, ongoing dialogue and advocacy with Knesset members and government officials, raising awareness in the media and capacity building. The focus in 2011 will be ongoing advocacy work with decision makers on climate policy, bringing adaptation issues to the public discourse and engaging in inter-sector work with the business community on the topic of emissions reduction.

The Society for the Protection of Nature – Tel Aviv-Jaffa Branch, The Metropolitan Green Council Watch – The Green Council Watch increases public involvement and transparency of municipal councils in the Greater Tel Aviv area and seeks to impact master plans that emphasize socio-environmental issues and solutions. In 2011, the project advocates for the creation of inter-municipal cooperation on sustainable planning and environmental issues.

The Heschel Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership, Developing Sustainable Communities: Integrating Agendas for Change -  The project aims to integrate the different agendas of local agents for social and environmental change into a shared agenda and action for sustainability by creating networks of leadership forums and developing community best practices.

The Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, Tel Aviv University, Environmental Policy Center  - This new initiative has created a center for the research, analysis and dissemination of environmental policy position papers and recommendations and will work with diverse stake holders – academia, civil society and decision makers. The center this year will organize two conferences and publish two environmental policy position papers.

Shatil, Working Toward an Environmentally Just Israel – This project will conduct a survey among environmental and social organizations on the topic of environmental justice and will build a coalition that will work together to promote an integrated agenda of social and environmental justice issues in Israel.