Rina, an Israeli, and Suleiman, a Jordanian, have been friends and colleagues since they studied at the Arava Institute together in 2006. Together they founded and co-direct the Arava Institute’s Jordan-Israel Center for Community, Environment, and Research, and are co-teaching an environmental peacebuilding course this fall. Between them, they have launched numerous nonprofit organizations and regional efforts focused on environmental conflict resolution and international development.
Dr. Suleiman Halasah has over a decade of water and energy management experience across the Middle East. He has a PhD in Desert Studies from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and is currently a Research Affiliate at the University of Oxford, where his work focuses on the effects of climate change on water and energy security in Jordan. As the Founder and CEO of Integrated GREEN Solutions, he spearheaded initiatives in renewable energy and sustainable developments deeply rooted in promoting cross-border collaboration and advancing sustainable community development throughout the Middle East.
Dr. Rina Kedem is an environmental peace entrepreneur. She holds a PhD from the Department of Geography and the Advanced School for Environmental Studies of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her research and field work focus on transboundary environmental cooperation, international community development and conflict, environmental policy, and transboundary natural research management. She has co-developed and directed organizations and projects with Palestinians, Jordanians, and Israelis for the past twenty years.