Ministry of Foreign Affairs Center for International Cooperation

International Workshop on

Entrepreneurship for Youth A tool for Poverty Alleviation 6th - 30th January 2008 in cooperation with YABT (Young Americas Business Trust – Organization of American States)

The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC) Haifa, ISRAEL POB 6111, 31060 Haifa, Israel Tel: 972-4-8375904; FAX 972-4-8375913 - e-mail: [email protected]

About MASHAV Israel’s Center for International Cooperation, known as MASHAV in its Hebrew acronym, was founded in 1959 as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is responsible for initiating and implementing Israel’s development cooperation program worldwide. MASHAV aims at transferring the expertise and technologies which have assisted Israel on its own path to development to other countries. Today, Israel cooperates with over 140 countries, providing training in Israel and abroad, operating on-site demonstration projects and building medical infrastructure in partner countries. MASHAV is active in fields ranging from agriculture to medicine and from community development to entrepreneurship.

About MCTC The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC) was founded in 1961 to assist in the training of women engaged in community work in the newly emerging states. Since the opening of the Center, more than 12,600 participants from 147 countries of Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania and the Middle East have attended 387 courses and workshops and 25 seminars for women leaders. In addition, each year, between 20 to 30 on-thespot courses are conducted by the MCTC staff, in which hundreds of trainees take part, in different locations throughout the world. The study programs are designed to enhance skills and knowledge and to introduce innovative methods for the multiple tasks of community workers, teachers, administrators and supervisors. In each training program there are from 25 to 30 women and men from 10 to 27 countries. Usually two courses are conducted concurrently in different languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian or Arabic). Three principal subjects are studied at MCTC: Community Development: NGO Management, Management of Community Services for Youth and the Elderly; Media Strategies for Social Change, Community Based Rehabilitation, Crisis Intervention: Micro-enterprise Development: Organization and Management, Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth, Support Systems for Entrepreneurs, Rural Tourism as an Income Generator: Early Childhood Education; Methodologies for Kindergarten and Day-care; Children with Special Needs, Parental Involvement; Emergent Literacy, Science, Music and Art, Holistic Infant Development, Educational Settings as Agents of Change. The Center is located on Mount Carmel in Haifa and consists of living quarters, classrooms, recreation and dining facilities. A specialized library on education, social sciences and humanities as well as computer and internet access are at the disposal of the participants. MCTC functions in the framework of MASHAV and enjoys the active cooperation of a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations, development authorities and international women’s organizations.

About YABT Incorporated in 1999 as non-profit corporation in Washington, DC, the Young Americas Business Trust is recognized as a 501 (c)(3) organization by the US Internal Revenue Service. The YABT draws on more than twenty years of pioneer experience at the Organization of American States in designing and developing innovative entrepreneur and micro-enterprise programs targeted to young people, including youth development, mentoring, training, and finance. YABT focuses on four priority areas: Leadership and Networking Provide a platform to link young entrepreneurs and national associations in a regional communication and collaboration network to learn from and exchange best practices. Courses and events prepare the next generation of business leaders to be social responsible citizens of the community. Training – with an emphasis on practical experience Hands-on Business Labs workshops provide young people who have entrepreneurial potential with the motivation and skills they need to understand and start a business. Technology Highlighting the importance of the internet in accessing business opportunities, resources and communication network which facilitate training, business matchmaking, e-communities. Strategic Alliances and National YABTs YABT works through its national chapters and international partnerships to increase technical and financial resources for programs and young entrepreneurs. The Young Americas Business Trust acts a catalyst to spur development of young entrepreneurs. YABT promotes social and economic development in the Western Hemisphere and beyond, through programs, projects and activities focused on helping to create and advance efforts to improve the quality of life of youth and young adults, especially those living in or near poverty. Headquartered at the OAS in Washington, DC, YABT works through national offices and strategic partnerships in the OAS Member States.

Introduction Entrepreneurial training for young people combines the elements of education and poverty alleviation which are at the forefront of the 21st century Millennium Development Goals, declared by the United Nations. In this era of globalization, educators need to create an environment that empowers youth and gives them the ability to meet new challenges within the global economy. Microenterprises have proved themselves for versatility in that economy and have become a very important medium because of their flexibility and ability to adapt more quickly than big business. The development of the microenterprise has become recognized as a tool to combating poverty in many parts of the world. Microenterprise creation can offer new opportunities for self employment and indeed is sometimes the only possibility for those who, because of macroeconomic changes, find it impossible to enter the labour market. The program of the current workshop has been successfully implemented with young people in Israel, Latin America and the Caribbean. This international forum encourages participants to take dvantage of a gathering of a wide range of professionals, representing many countries throughout the world, and to learn from one another and from Israeli colleagues.

Objectives By the end of the workshop the participants will have: –

been trained and prepared to take the role of “entrepreneurial facilitators” in order to encourage and prepare young people for economic independence by starting micro and small businesses

– been offered tools and methodologies to transfer notions of business management to the young target population of their own course trainees

Program of Studies a) Introductory topics – Microenterprises in the context of change – Small Business Development Centers and Technological Incubators – Financial support for microenterprises – Managerial innovations – Training methodologies b) Functions of a microenterprise – Organization of a business – Feasibility studies – Marketing strategies – Production management, plant layout and production methods – Costing – Business plan – Promotion and sales strategies – Preparation of a promotion event c) Simulation of a microenterprise - “Learning by Doing” For the duration of the workshop the participants will be divided into groups to form “microenterprises” which will function as small companies. They will deal with: organization,

marketing, production, promotion, publicity, exhibition preparation of a final report on the microenterprise proceedings Lectures by participants Participants are invited, either individually or in groups to make presentations especially relevant to this workshop, resulting from their investigations, their own projects, innovative methodologies, etc. Short abstracts are requested as soon as possible so that we can incorporate the lectures in appropriate places in the program. Admission Requirements The program is planned for 26-30 women and men of 25-45 years of age- teachers, heads of educational and community institutions, university lecturers and other professionals intending to work as ‘entrepreneurial facilitators’ to encourage and prepare young people for economic independence by starting micro and small businesses. Candidates should have at least five years’ experience as well as relevant professional higher education. A good command of written English is essential. Workshop Procedure Participants reside at MCTC and the studies are intensive. The themes will be presented in the form of lectures and discussions by professionals in the field, university lecturers and researchers. Five days a week are devoted to class work and observation visits. Saturdays and Sundays are often devoted to assignments, or to excursions to places of historical, religious and general interest. Certificate Upon completion of the workshop, the graduates will receive a certificate confirming their attendance and active participation. Miscellaneous – Newspapers and periodicals – Laundry facilities on the premises. – Participants are responsible for all other expenses Travel International travel fares are the responsibility of the candidate or his/her sponsoring organization. Passport and Visa Passports must be valid for the period of the workshop and include an entry visa into Israel. Two additional passport-size photographs are also required for various documents. Booking The date and flight number of the booking to Israel must be confirmed to assure arrival before the opening of the workshop, on 6th January, 2008. Application Application forms should be obtained from Israeli Diplomatic and/or Consular Representatives serving the applicant's country. Preference will be given to candidates working within national or international projects aiming to meet the MDGs and recommended by YABT. The completed applications for admission to the workshop, together with recommendations from appropriate

authorities, must be returned to the Israeli Diplomatic and/or Consular Representatives serving the applicant's country, not later than December 1st, 2007, for forwarding to MCTC.

Items Covered by the Scholarship Studies Lectures and discussions, field visits, written study material and use of reference library. Accommodation – Two students to a room (linen, hot water, heating). – Full Board – Cultural and Social Activities – Excursions to historical and religious sites. Health Services Medical insurance covers medical services and hospitalization in case of emergency. It does not cover the treatment of chronic or serious diseases, specific medications taken by the participant on a regular basis, dental care, eyeglasses or the period of pregnancy.

The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center (MCTC) POB 6111, Haifa 31060, Israel Tel: 972-4-8375904 Fax: 972-4-8375913 e-mail: [email protected] http//:mashav.mfa.gov.il