Israel even cleared the area of minefields and spent $2.3 million renovating the famous River Jordan site. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jul/12/israel-opens-jesus-baptism-site-in-west-bank/

A paint-can design competition is generating funds for innovative projects to prepare at-risk Israeli teens for careers in the graphic arts. http://israel21c.org/social-action/painting-israeli-youth-in-colors-of-success

The UN Economics Commission held a special conference in Tel Aviv where UN Under Secretary General Jan Kubis praised Israel’s innovations – especially in technology. http://www.jpost.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?ID=229096&R=R1

12 young marine scientists, most of them doctoral students from Israel, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Turkey, Tunisia, Malta, Greece, the UK and Italy have formed the project EcoOcean. http://israel21c.org/environment/cross-cultural-hands-steering-a-green-ship

Good review of Israel’s growing relationship with the most populous nation. http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=228199

Sunday Olasanmi is one of 16 African doctors learning at Hebrew University to improve the public health of their home countries. In this video Dr Olasanmi tells his story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC1-pxqqgoY&feature=player_embedded

The Israeli charity Zichron Menachem is taking 130 children with cancer abroad, with doctors, nurses, psychologists and counsellors, to give them respite from their treatment. http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=228757

The new Muslim state of South Sudan is only days old, but Israel is providing humanitarian aid through IsraAID. With 90% illiteracy, little water and no infrastructure, they need help fast. http://www.israel21c.org/briefs/israeli-aid-to-south-sudan