Announcements & News
April 2008
Govt. Ministry Directors-General Forum Convenes to Discuss "Israel 2028 - Vision and Socio-Economic Strategy in a Global World" Plan
Prime Minister's Office Director-General Ra'anan Dinur today has convened the forum of Government ministry directors-general to discuss the "Israel 2028 – Vision and Socio-Economic Strategy a the Global World" plan. The plan is the product of two years' work sponsored by the U.S.-Israel Science & Technology Commission, with a Steering Committee led by Eli Hurvitz, David Brodet and Sammy Friedrich, and with the participation of a broad spectrum of experts and public figures.
The plan is designed to submit a strategic vision for realizing national goals for the State of Israel: rapid and balanced growth, and the reduction of social gaps, the goal of which is to lead the State of Israel – over the next 20 years – to a place among the world's top 15 countries in terms of GDP per capita.
The plan indicates a series of "warning lights" facing Israeli society, including the development of a dual economy (in which, alongside an advanced economy, there is an economy that is not adapted to the challenges of globalization) and high income gaps – which are leading to a polarized society, the quality of public education and issues regarding administration and infrastructure.
This is the first time that such a multi-disciplinary strategy that deals with a vision for the State of Israel over the next 20 years has been presented. The authors of the plan believe that the cooperation of all Government ministries, and socio-economic sectors, will be necessary in order for the plan to succeed.
At today's meeting, Eli Hurvitz, David Brodet and Sammy Friedrich (see above) will brief Government ministry directors-general on the plan. Afterwards, PMO Dir.-Gen. Dinur, Finance Ministry Dir.-Gen. Yoram Ariav and National Economics Council Director Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg will lead panel discussions on ways to create consensus regarding the aforementioned cooperation.
The plan will be submitted to the Cabinet at its May 4, 2008 meeting.
July 2007
USISTF work in Homeland Security leads to the development of the Israel Standard (SI) 24001, Security and Continuity Management System
The Twin Towers disaster in the USA in the year 2001 was the first event that aroused the awareness of world leaders to the existing vulnerability of national infrastructures in the case of terrorist attacks or extreme natural disasters. In the lack of international standards, The Standards Institution of Israel has initiated a project, with the encouragement and support of the United States ? Israel Science Technology Foundation (USISTF), for the development of an Israel standard (SI) 24001, Security and Continuity Management System, whose purpose is to assist organizations in the groundwork on how to deal with Emergency Preparedness. This unique Israel Standard on security and continuity management, SI 24001, has recently been published. This Standard combines the requirement of risk and threat analysis to the organization within the management system as a basis for preparation of a management program. On the basis of this analysis, the organization is expected to prepare a program for preparedness.
SI 24001 is based on the assumption that a security event cannot be categorically prevented. Therefore, the Standard also contains a requirement to prepare plans for response and recovery in order to minimize the harm to the organization and its stake holders. The Standard has been submitted to ISO's Technical Committee ISO/TC 223 Societal Security, as a proposal for an International Standard.
To learn about SII please click here.
November 2006
Alternative and Renewable Energy Conference
In November 2006, BIRD and USISTC held a conference in order to identify ways to enhance Israel's contributions to the field of alernative and renewable energy. This event was held as part of the Prime Minister's Conference for Export & International Cooperation at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv. For more information, click here.
Conference highlithts included opening remarks by The Prime Minister of Israel, the Hon. Ehud Olmert as well as sessions on:
- Trends and Initiatives in Alternative/Renewable Energy Technologies
- Israel's Capabilities in Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies
- Leading Edge Information on Renewable Energy Investment Opportunities
- International Cooperation Opportunities
October 2006
USISTF is pleased to welcome Ann Liebschutz as Executive Director.
Ms. Ann Liebschutz was recently appointed as Executive Director. She will direct the Foundation staff and all USISTF activities. She is currently engaged in USISTF strategic planning for the future, and directs the programs to fulfill the USISTF mandate to foster collaborative opportunities in high technology for American and Israeli entities for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Ann joined USISTF after serving as a Legislative Assistant and Counsel in the office of United States Senator Jim Bunning. While working in the Senate she handled a diverse legislative portfolio which included Homeland Security, Science & Technology, Transportation, and Education. Prior to government service, Ann was a Political Campaign Fundraiser for two successful campaigns. Under Ann's management, her most recent campaign established the highest amount ever raised for a statewide race in Kentucky. Prior to her work on political campaigns, she worked in private law practice in Chicago, Illinois.
A licensed Attorney, Ann holds a Juris Doctor degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois where she served on the Executive Board of the John Marshall Journal of Computer & Information Law. Ann also holds a degree in Physics from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois.
