Tuesday, April 25, 2006

The Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization

Some time ago this blog reported the creation of the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization. Now, Science magazine reports that the organization has made its first ten grants. SciDev.Net reported last May:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has pledged US$100,000 to allow the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO) to begin implementing 30 new research projects involving both Palestinian and Israeli scientists. The grant was announced at a 23 May meeting at UNESCO's Paris headquarters, convened to review IPSO's progress.

This is another program that demonstrates a willingness in the scientific community to work with people across political boundries. The Israeli and Palestinian participants in this program, supported by other donors as well as UNESCO, are courageously seeking normality in the face of chaos and danger. UNESCO plays a key role in legitimizing the program, as well as jump-starting collaboration!

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