Written by: Lucija Rakocevic, participant of the UNECE course that was held on February 2015.
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To view pictures from the UNECE Inter-reginal workshop referred to in this recommendation
I work as a technical consultant in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Montenegro. Goal of our company team and companies and organizations we work with is to do our part to help steer the world towards a more sustainable future. In my work I have had a change to collaborate with UNECE and through this collaboration an opportunity to participate in MASHAV organized workshop and study tour on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policies and Projects. Along with colleagues from 13 other countries we were welcomed by the representative of MASHAV and Eliat Eliot Renewable Energy Organization. During this five day intense study tour we have had an opportunity to meet and get introduced to Israeli public, private and NGO sector and their initiatives in creating an ambient for sustainable energy to become an opportunity for growth and improved development.
As I come from a small Balkan country, Montenegro, this experience of seeing another small country use its circumstances as opportunities for growth was very encouraging. From what we have seen Israel has taken the time to correctly define its gaps and a good collaboration of local experts to use those gaps as opportunities for unique development base. Aside from visits to successful technical companies, such as Chromagen, Eltam Ein-Hashofet and Alfa Smart, we have had a chance to visit renewable energy generations in various kibbutz around Negev and Arava Regions. Experience in Israel was a unique opportunity to see how small, local and concentrated initiatives can be used to help local regions develop and give a significant contribution to technology development through Eliat Eliot Renewable Energy Initiative. Initiatives, technologies and methods were simply represented by the involved experts that the energy for change and encouragement was felt in the whole group.
As a young expert in this field, I do believe a lot of work is still ahead of us to be able to transform our living environment into a more sustainable system with nature compatible technologies. Israeli experience has definitely shown us how to start this journey and put needed priority on resources.
Thank you,
Lucija Rakocevic