World teenagers go green at Israeli eco conference
Some 100 teenagers from around the globe come to Holy Land for environmental conference at Israeli youth village.
A Korean, a Dutch, an Israeli and a Finn walk into a youth village. It is not the beginning of a joke. It really happened; when 100 teenagers from all over the world met at HaKfar Hayarok ('Green Village') youth village near Tel Aviv at an international conference for young environmental leaders.
The visitors who stayed with the families of local students at Hakfar Hayarok took part in various environmental activities throughout Israel. These included a nocturnal tour of the local Safari, academic activities at Tel Aviv University and the Rabin Center, and meetings with scientists from different disciplines of ecology.
During their stay the group got a first-hand taste of local environmental struggles.
Charlotte, 16, from The Netherlands said they stumbled upon a demonstration at a Netanya beach against contractors who plan to build a hotel on the site. "It was very engaging," she said. "They showed me they could make a difference".
The teenagers also met Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan at a Gala event. "Outstanding youth and young leaders from all over the world come here," the minister said adding that they come
"To learn what Israel has done and also to strengthen us, so that together we can build a new generation of young leadership, which will be better at prioritizing the future of mankind than the older generation."
