Building Peacethrough climate security:
Ambassadors Training Seminar
A joint initiative by EcoPeace Middle East and IPF Atid
The Ambassadors Training Seminar is a four-part online course designed to equip young Jewish leaders with the knowledge, tools, and practical skills to effectively communicate and advocate for regional integration in the Middle East, with a focus on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Through expert insights and hands-on exercises, participants will develop the capacity to engage diverse audiences, navigate complex political narratives, and promote actionable pathways toward peace via cross-border climate cooperation.
At a time when progress on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict feels stalled, shared climate challenges offer a powerful path forward, creating opportunities for practical cooperation, trust-building, and giving you a meaningful way to drive positive change.
Program Structure
Format: Online, interactive workshops
Duration: 4 sessions of 90 minutes each
Session breakdown: Two 40-minute modules per session, with a short break between modules
Target Audience
Participants are members of the Atid network invited to apply based on their:
- Interest in Middle East geopolitics and peacebuilding
- Strong communication or facilitation skills
- Ability to engage professional, academic, or community audiences
Learning Objectives
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
- Better understand key geopolitical dynamics shaping the Middle East
- Explain core principles of peacebuilding
- Articulate the strategic and economic significance of IMEC
- Present the “Peace Triangle” framework as a practical model for regional cooperation
- Facilitate discussions and deliver presentations as Ambassadors of the “peace through climate security” paradigm
Learning Method
The program emphasizes active learning and includes:
- Case-based learning
- Guest speakers from the field
- Facilitated discussions
- Breakout exercises
- Practical presentation training
IPF Atid is the young professionals network of Israel Policy Forum, an organization dedicated to advancing support for a viable two-state outcome in order to secure Israel’s future as secure, Jewish, and democratic.
EcoPeace Middle East is a renowned environmental peacebuilding organization, whose 30 years of work has been rewarded with a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2024 and 2025. The unique Jordanian-Palestinian-Israeli organization seeks to advance cooperative efforts to protect our shared environment, promote sustainable regional development and climate security, and create the conditions for lasting peace in our region. In the wake of the events of and following 7 October 2023, EcoPeace has developed the IMEC Peace Triangle concept that has identified the unique coalition that IMEC represents as a means to achieve multiple goals.
Session Dates and Times:
Session 1:
Sunday, August 2, 12-2pm ET
Session 2:
Sunday, August 9, 12-2pm ET
Session 3:
Sunday, August 30, 12-2pm ET
Session 4:
Sunday, September 6, 12-2pm ET
Application Deadline: Monday, July 6, 2026
Session 1: Mapping the Middle East - Geopolitics, Power, and Regional Dynamics
Module 1.1 – Introductions
Participants will get to know each other, learn about their professional careers, and express their expectations of the seminar. They will be introduced to the educators from EcoPeace Middle East and facilitators from IPF Atid, as well as to the structure of the seminar.
Components:
- Ice breaker game
- Networking
Module 1.2 – Understanding the Region
Participants will expand on their foundational understanding of the region’s political and security landscape with a focus on Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, while situating these within broader regional dynamics.
Key topics:
- Historical and current regional alignments
- The impact of recent conflicts, including October 7 and regional escalation
- The role of external actors: United States, European Union, and Gulf states
- Economic drivers of cooperation and conflict
Session 2: From Conflict to Cooperation
Module 2.1 – Fundamentals of Peacebuilding
An introduction to peacebuilding with a focus on the Middle East.
Key topics:
- Concepts and approaches used in peacebuilding
- Key actors: governments, civil society, international organizations
- When is peace successful? Israel’s peace agreement with Jordan
Module 2.2 – Real-world practice: EcoPeace Middle East
A practical exploration of environmental peacebuilding through examples taken from 30 years of EcoPeace’s work.
Key topics:
- Introduction to Environmental Peacebuilding
- Overview of EcoPeace’s model and approach
- Success stories from EcoPeace
Session 3: A Path to Peace: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
Session 3.1 – Introduction to IMEC
Participants are introduced to the IMEC framework and its strategic relevance.
Key topics:
- Memorandum of Understanding and participating countries
- Strategic rationale behind IMEC
- Core pillars (connectivity, infrastructure, trade, energy)
- Current status and political challenges
Session 3.2 – IMEC and the Peace Triangle
Exploring how IMEC can serve as a platform for regional cooperation through the Peace Triangle concept developed by EcoPeace Middle East.
Key topics:
- The Peace Triangle concept
- Linking economic development and climate security with peacebuilding
- EcoPeace’s approach: adapting existing frameworks into actionable initiatives
- Advocacy strategy for the advancement of the Peace Triangle
Session 4: Spreading the word: Climate Security as a Tool for Peacebuilding
Session 4.1 – Tools and Techniques
Participants are introduced to the practical materials that were developed by EcoPeace and IPF Atid especially for this course that will be freely available to them. The materials will support their future activities where they share the paradigm discussed in the seminar.
Components:
- Introduction to the toolkit
- Demonstration of materials in the toolkit
Session 4.2 – Your Turn
A hands-on session focused on each participant forming a concrete plan for their future activities to spread awareness of climate security in connection to peacebuilding in the Middle East.
Components:
- Breakout room sessions to go over the toolkit with peers
- Group and facilitator feedback on future engagement opportunities
Danni Reches
Training Lead
Danni Reches is Advocacy Officer at EcoPeace Middle East, a unique Jordanian-Palestinian-Israeli organization that seeks to advance cooperative efforts in our region to protect our shared environment, promote sustainable regional development, and create the necessary conditions for lasting peace. In this position, Ms. Reches advocates for policy recommendations for the promotion of regional cooperation through EcoPeace’s Green Blue Deal and the IMEC Peace Triangle initiatives.
Ms. Reches holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from Leiden University, Honors Certificate in Peace & Conflict Management as well as an MA in Diplomacy from the University of Haifa, and recently completed her dual-PhD in Political Science from the University of Haifa and Leipzig University. She has published her research in academic journals and lectured at various international conferences and seminars. Her work focuses on Diversity & Inclusion in the Middle Eastern context and aims to advance peacebuilding.
Dr. Dana Lev
Dr. Dana Lev is an environmental education and operations leader with over a decade of experience designing and leading community-based educational initiatives, teaching at universities, and managing environmental and social impact programs.
She has served as a municipal advisor on public behavior change and waste management projects and previously led the Early Years Education Department at Israel’s national Green Network, overseeing nationwide sustainability education programs.
Dr. Lev holds a PhD in Educational Sciences, an MA in Public Policy, and a BA in Education and Psychology. Her doctoral research explored Place-Based Education, sense of place, and school communities, with a focus on identity and the needs of Third Culture Kids (TCKs).
She teaches courses in environmental policy and democracy at the Open University of Israel and speaks six languages. She currently serves as Deputy Director of EcoPeace Middle East in Israel, leading the organization’s education and human resources efforts and advancing regional environmental cooperation between Israel, Jordan and Palestine.