The United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University are working to initiate an active partnership between Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Carmiel-Misgav region. The partnership seeks to build connections and alliances and to provide mutually beneficial opportunities in education, research, and business which will contribute to the development of both regions. THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore Partnership 2000 comittee and the Maryland-Israel Development Center are joining efforts with the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh and CMU in the planning and implementation of the conference.

They have common interests and concerns: all actively exploring regional economic development stragegies and seeking ways to attract and support fast-growing companies, particularly hi-tech industries; both share a strong interest in 'quality of life' issues, preserving and improving their cultural, commercial, educational and natural amenities.

The first joint conference was held in Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University in December 1998, attended by representatives of the Israeli region.

Following up this process, a major Conference on Regional Economic Development will be held February 15-17 in Carmiel-Misgav. The Conference is expected to yield student exchanges in both directions and cooperative efforts with both the Technion in Haifa and Ort Braude College in Carmiel. Speakers include Carnegie Mellon President Professor Jared Cohon, Yossi Kucik, Director General of the Prime-Minister's Office, and Israeli Industrialist Stef Wertheimer.

Objective : to build new models of regional economic development and international cooperation. (all originally stemming from the P2K connection!!!)

The conference, called "Partnerships for the Development of Regional Economic Initiatives" (conference II), has both a regional and national focus. Days one and three will include meetings and tours of the region, and workshops which would spawn ideas, new directions and a new model for regional economic development (especially for Carmiel-Misgav), and an innovative way of developing the connections (in both education and business) which would benefit all participants.

Day two is nationally focused, aimed at mayors and their staffs, academics, industrialists and entrepreneurs, planners, etc. in hopes of raising awareness in the area of regional economic development, and bringing the various sectors together (local leadership-public and private sectors) in taking responsibility and an active part in developing their cities and regions.

Conference Sponsors include: