Arava Institute for Environmental Studies

The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (AIES) is the premier environmental education and research program in the Middle East, preparing future Arab and Jewish leaders to cooperatively solve the region's environmental challenges. Affiliated with Ben-Gurion University, AIES houses academic programs, research, and international cooperation initiatives on a range of environmental concerns and challenges.

Students at AIES study a range of environmental issues from a trans-boundary and interdisciplinary perspective while learning peace-building and leadership skills.

With a student body comprised of Jordanians, Palestinians, Israelis, and students from around the world, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies offers students a unique opportunity to study and live together for an extended period of time; building networks and developing understanding that will enable future cooperative work and activism in the Middle East and beyond.

As the premier institute for environmental studies in the region, the Arava Institute provides students with a unique approach to studying the environmental challenges in the Middle East. Together with leading environmental professionals, academics, and researchers, students explore a range of environmental issues from a trans-boundary and interdisciplinary perspective while learning peace-building and leadership skills.

Students maintain a rigorous course-load in environmental studies including environmental ethics, policy and economics, ecology, and sustainability. They also participate in a weekly peace-building and leadership seminar where they engage in dialog with one another focusing on issues of coexistence, tolerance, and communication.

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