Non-profit STEP-GTP - JChoice.org

Science Training Encouraging Peace - Graduate Training Program (STEP-GTP) is a new organization that provides joint science and medical training to pairs of Palestinian and Israeli graduate students and professionals. STEP-GTP fosters cooperative, sustainable relationships and capacity-building in Israel and the Palestinian territories. STEP-GTP offers training in fields identified as critical needs by Israeli and Palestinian educational leaders. These fields include nutrition, genetics (especially genetic counseling), clinical biochemistry, ophthalmology, diabetology, and health communication. STEP offers binational and trinational program options and a newer program for college students called STEP-Prep. The concept for STEP-GTP is based upon the experience of most people who attended graduate programs and remain in the fields of study. Students who cooperate during the intense years of university or graduate school become and remain resources to one another and continue their cooperation upon returning to their institutions.

I lived in Israel for the 1999-2000 year as a Senior Fulbright Scholar. I grew to appreciate all that was built before my time and grew to love the country and her people. I had the good fortune to work and travel in the neighboring countries as well. At that time, it was clear that the only thing between Israel and a wonderful, normal future, was that she still had no peace with her neighbors, especially the Palestinians. Yet it seemed that peace was at hand. Unfortunately, within a few months and for the next 8 years things went from bad to worse. Because I gained so much from my Israel experience, I committed to try to help obtain that peace that is crucial but elusive. It became clear to me that because of the very different opinions within both Jewish and Palestinian people about almost everything, that the governments would have a very difficult time reaching peace agreements without the momentum of many "on the ground" peace-building efforts. Because I know many scientists and doctors who want to be involved in capacity and peace building initiatives, we started Science Training Encouraging Peace-Graduate Training Program. The objectives of STEP are to deliver capacities so individuals can improve their own position and deliver that knowledge and capability to their clients or patients. Thus, whole communities will see that there is a benefit of productive coexistence.

The mission of STEP-GTP is to provide graduate level science and medical training to pairs of Palestinian and Israeli students or medical fellows so they may deliver needed services and lead the next generation of professionals. STEP-GTP believes that equal access to education is an essential component of an open and equitable society and a necessary precursor to the mutually-beneficial flow of information between peoples.

Detailed Plan to Accomplish Goals

The traditional program model involves the US, Israel and Palestine. Students begin by coming to an accredited American university (Tufts University) where they receive approximately two years’ training (depending upon the program) in a degree-granting program. STEP-GTP fellows will participate in classes, individual instruction, laboratories and/or clinics along with other students. During this time, while relatively free of pressures from home, they can become fluent in English and obtain world-class training in their chosen discipline. When degrees have been awarded, the pair can continue joint training in Israel or the Palestinian territories or return to positions in their homelands.

In the final phase, STEP-GTP fellows along with their Israeli, Palestinian and/or American mentors will be required to contribute to specific capacity building in a community or institution in Palestine or in Israel. Capacity building might include research, training, data and technology transfer, or the establishment of new businesses or services (i.e. genetic counseling services.) On an annual basis, program fellows will communicate with STEP-GTP about the effect of their education on their work, and how they communicated with their training partner during the year.

In the binational model, students will receive their training in Israel and/or the Palestinian territories. This model might be especially suitable for Palestinian doctors seeking fellowships in nutrition, ophthalmology, or medical disciplines where world-class training already exists in Israel and where there is precedent for cooperative research and education. In this case an Israeli colleague and host would complete the pair. The same situation would apply if an Israeli were to train in the Palestinian areas. The bi-national model may also be useful because it would allow students to remain closer to their families and homes.

In the final phase of the bi-national model, STEP-GTP fellows along with their Israeli, Palestinian and/or American mentors will be required to contribute to specific capacity building in a community or institution in Palestine or in Israel. Capacity building might include research, training, data and technology transfer, or the establishment of new businesses or services (i.e. genetic counseling services.) On an annual basis, program fellows will communicate with STEP-GTP about the effect of their education on their work, and how they communicated with their training colleague during the year. STEP-GTP will assure that professional cooperation between the pair of fellows continues after the completion of formal training.

Name of Organization:STEP-GTP
Number of Paid Staff:0
Number of Volunteers:4
Total Organizational Expenses:$132,250
% of Organizational Overhead Expenses:15%

To the best of my knowledge there are no comparable programs. First, STEP-GTP is based upon professional self improvement for each participant. This should be highly motivational. Second, STEP-GTP offers Israelis and Palestinians an opportunity to interact as equals in a new environment, away from the local tensions that often compromise the best of intentions. Third, STEP-GTP requires professional pairing from the outset. Thus, it self selects for young professionals who are inclined to both excel in their academic pursuits and who are inclined to continue to benefit from cooperation and coexistence. Fourth, unlike other "pairing programs", such as Seeds for Peace which educates children, STEP-GTP is directed at the current and next generation of health professionals. Thus, during and upon completion of training, the STEP-GTP fellows will remain resources for one another. They also become models for their clients. Fifth, the clients can also reap a dividend of the cooperative training. Sixth, faculty mentors are also committed to continued training and resource-sharing in both cultures, thus expanding the umbrella of cooperation.

We have interviewed many Israelis and prominent Palestinians about STEP-GTP before starting the initiative. Everyone said that having "on the ground", win-win initiatives, specifically like STEP is an essential to lay the ground work for peaceful and productive interactions between Israelis and Palestinians. STEP-GTP will provide educational opportunities to the current generation of Israelis and Palestinian health professionals. STEP-GTP is also a perfect way to build bridges between Israeli and Palestinian people. Because science knows no boundaries and because scientists and doctors must have a constant infusion of new information to achieve the highest levels of knowledge and provide world-class service to their communities, when STEP-GTP provides medical and scientific training to pairs of Israelis and Palestinians it will be giving them the power to serve their people, and also to support each other.

Many leaders have endorsed STEP-GTP.

"I write to voice my strong support for the important Science Training Encouraging peace – Graduate Training Program that you have originated.

I have some experience in trying to bridge the multiple gulfs of history and mistrust that separate populations in the Middle East, having organized a number of conferences and workshops that have brought together Arab Country, Israeli, and Iranian chemists and students. Your program, providing health and science education to paired Israeli and Palestinian students in the US is just what we need – a practical, effective program with no political agenda, moved by a sincere desire to bring young scientists and health professionals together in the service of their communities. I know it works, and I wish you and your colleagues well in expanding and extending the STEP-GTP program."

Roald Hoffman

Frank HT Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters, Emeritus

Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus

"I have lectured about science all over the world, and I have seen how education crosses boundaries and enables people to see beyond the confines of their societies. STEP-GTP will provide world-class science and medical training to pairs of Israeli and Palestinian medical and science fellows, and will pave the way for these young professionals to work together to provide new crucial services and opportunities to their communities. I encourage people to support STEP-GTP as it strives to provide personal improvement while laying the framework for peaceful relations between Israelis and Palestinians."

Aaron Ciechanover Ph. D. M. D., Nobel Laureate

Techniion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

"Graduate professional education in the health sciences is a vital investment in social wellbeing and economic growth. It also offers unique opportunities for the mutually-beneficial flow of information between peoples. Pairing Israeli and Palestinian students in rigorous graduate programs, the unique STEP initiative helps train the next generation of scientific and medical leaders while advancing the critical goals of dialogue and peace."

Larry Bacow, President, Tufts University

"Al-Quds University has an international reputation for health sciences education. Our base in east Jerusalem, gives us a unique vantage point to see the importance of Palestinians and Israelis learning together, and sharing knowledge and skills. STEP-GTP is a unique program in that it offers joint training to Palestinians and Israelis, fosters relationships, and builds needed health and science programs and business for the future. Al-Quds University is proud to be a founding partner of STEP-GTP. I urge that you support STEP-GTP."

Ziad Abdeen PhD, MPH

Professor and Director

Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute

Adjunct Professor

Department of Public Health Sciences

Faculty of Medicine

University of Toronto

“Ben Gurion University has many years experience bringing Israelis and Palestinians together to study. We are a founding partner in STEP-GTP because we believe that science and medical education can offer pairs of students/fellows opportunities for self-improvement while providing tools to address some of the scientific and health challenges of the area. Because STEP-GTP is designed to train Israeli and Palestinian students/fellows jointly, the pairs will remain scientific and business resources to one another while also allowing their communities to benefit from their training. In addition to health benefits, the communities can also see the benefits of peaceful cooperation. Such evidence is critical as we seek to build the confidence that is required for peaceful coexistence.”

Rivka Carmi, M.D. President, Ben Gurion University

"The STEP-GRADUATE TRAING PROGRAM (STEP-GTP) envisioned by Dr Taylor could be an important, trust building component of an early Middle East peace effort. The program would be flexible as to training sites and length of training, which would be essential for success. A major program goal is capacity building for future scientific and economic development, which a lasting Regional peace will depend on. Nutrition as a topic is an excellent fit for scientific inquiry, due to the many, serious nutritional problems that exist among the Region’s populations. I believe, the STEP-GTP is a creative idea that is highly worthy of support".

Rob Russell

Director of the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University

"I have devoted my professional career to higher education; I served in many educational leadership positions in American universities, including professor of mathematics, provost, and dean of faculty at Williams College, and president of Colgate University. I recently retired as a vice president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, one of America's leading philanthropic organizations whose goals are peace and the advancement of knowledge. Science Training Encouraging Peace -Graduate Training Program (STEP-GTP) is an "on the ground organization" that promotes capacity building and peaceful interaction between Israelis and Palestinians. These are the very ideals I have advocated throughout my life. I wholeheartedly support STEP-GTP in its mission and I urge you to do the same".

Neil Grabois, Vice President Carnegie Corporation of NY

".. by removing these young professionals from the pressures of the Middle East they will be able to learn and bond." These bonds will be long lasting because they are both professional and personal. With training and opening of clinics staffed by the STEP-GTP fellows, the investment we make in each of the STEP-GTP fellows will be spread to their communities. Thus there will be a high community-service and peace dividend for each of the pairs.

Dr. Itamar Burak, Prof at Tel Aviv University

Education
Israel
Peace
Scientific Research

Organize a fundraising event to help fund the STEP-GTP cause.

Name:Allen Taylor
Title:Director
Address:711 Washington St. Boston, MA 02111 United States
Telephone:617-556-3156
Email:allen.taylor@tufts.edu
Website:STEP-GTP.org

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Science Training Encouraging Peace - Graduate Training Program