“I used to think that our problems in the Philippines are unique to us. This engagement has made me appreciate more our culture and nation.”
The engagement Development Communication instructor Mydah Kabingue referred to is that of Mashav, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As the university’s representative to Israel this year, Kabingue meets with university advocates on green technology, climate change and sustainable development.
Leaving for Israel in the later part of November this year, she was anticipating new knowledge that revolves around problems shared surprisingly by developing countries especially pointed out during one of their sessions, where she had one of her presentations.
Grouped according to projects, participants have been contributing ideas in areas such as solar energy, agriculture and so on. Kabingue was chosen as the leader for the material recovery project enriched by a 5-day study tour.
She was delighted to be stepping on the ground of the sacred city, Jerusalem, apart from other sites like the Igudan Wastewater Facility and the Weitz Center for Development in Rehovot Israel, where they are spending much of their time.
The tight schedule was made for major inclusions like top Israeli officials and some academics discussing on, among others, climate change adaptation and mitigation, urban sustainable development and smart cities as innovation models for urban green growth.
In a statement, she mentioned the security afforded to them despite the “skirmishes in the West Bank” triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as the country’s capital.
She is hoping to spend the holiday season back in the Philippines as closing ceremony is scheduled tomorrow, December 19. RM