“I’ve learned how to inspire volunteers and how to delegate authority. I’ve learned that an effective campaign is based on three major components: spokesmanship, lobbying and activism. Sometimes it only takes five people, who make a satirical presentation at an entrance to some convention, to make a potent headline in the newspaper the following day. Having said all of this, I must add that, in my opinion, Green Course’s most significant achievement is bringing together young, caring and talented people with good ideas.”

Public Transportation is the main campaign Ram and his volunteers are focusing on at the Tel-Aviv chapter nowadays. Three years ago, one of Green Course’s lobbyists found out about a well thought out plan for improving TA’s public transportation system. This Reorganization Plan(link to Article in Jerusalem Post) was written by Ayalon Highways and forgotten about until Green Course pulled it off of the dusty shelves of the Tel-Aviv municipality and demanded it be implemented without delay. The plan consists of five stages. The first stage was carried out last August, and recently the Minister of Transportation announced that the second stage will be executed this summer.

“Having been born and raised in Tel-Aviv”, Ram explains, “I’m highly aware of the local public transportation shortcomings. There is great satisfaction in hearing on the radio that the Minister of Transportation is committing to deadlines and knowing that it has a direct connection to recent activities and press releases your organization was responsible for. It’s amazing to see how the work of a rather small group of dedicated people from our chapter is able to influence decision-makers and national policies.”

Three years ago, Green Course formed a coalition of advocates, residents, the local municipality, the ISPNI and others, determined to restore Ein Zahav to its former glory. Thanks to the leadership of Green Course and the hard work of all those involved, the Water Authority has agreed to stop pumping mineral water and to give Ein Zahav back to the residents of Kiryat Shmona.

On Sunday August 2, 2009 The Israeli President, Mr. Shimon Peres, was hosted by residents of the new Student Village of Ayalim Association in the old city in Beer Sheva. “I came to gain some comfort from you” said the President to the Ayalim students. “The advantage of Ayalim is that it is a product of young people. All you have is an unlimited budget of enthusiasm – and I am proud of this enterprise”, he added.

The President was accompanied by the Mayor of Beer Sheva, Mr. Rubik Danilovich and the Director General of Rashi Foundation, Mr. Eli Elalouf. The three joined the students for an intimate discussion concerning leadership and the periphery. Mr. Peres shared his belief that Beer Sheva is on its’ way to become the new and modern version of Tel Aviv.

When asked about the role of young people in Israel today, the president replied that “the youngsters today must restore the moral consideration in Israel due to the weakening of values we are experiencing as a society” and invited the students not to stand from afar but to join the Israeli politics.

The evening was ended with the insertion of the Mezuzah at the entrance to the new student village, thus closing a circle after placing the corner stone of the first Ayalim village in 2003. The village in the old city of Beer Sheva was built with the support of the Jewish Agency, Keren Hayesod and the Canadian Israel Appeal (UIAC).

The current transportation policy favors private cars over public transportation. MK Pines Paz, who attended the event, noted that the public expects that the Mayor and Minister of Transportation will advance efficient public transportation. MK Dov Henin, who also attended, remarked that it not possible that Tel Aviv will wait another 30 years for appropriate public transportation. “The time has come that Tel Aviv align itself with the transportation ideas that have proven themselves in similar cities in the world,” say Henin.

Yael Sril Mohliver, Green Course campaigner for public transport, “The large number of people who turned out today highlights that the public expects appropriate public transportation. The 9% raise in public transportation costs, as part of the national budget, proves that the decision makers are disconnected from the public and forget that public transportation is a basic right…”

Green Course is demanding:
* Planning and budgeting priority be given to public transportation at the cost of reducing the infrastructure for private vehicles.
* Immediate and significant improvement in public transportation in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area
* Implementation of the bus line reorganization plan for the Tel Aviv metropolitan area
* Creation of a metropolitan authority for transportation in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area
* Planning and enforcement of public transportation lanes
* Establishment of bike lanes which are contiguous
* Freezing of plans for additional parking lots and interchanges in Tel Aviv

More than 1000 people each year die from air pollution related diseases in central Israel alone. This is only the tip of the melting iceberg of Israel’s environmental challenges. Environmental issues need to be addressed at all levels of society, but one of the best places to start is with raising public awareness among the leaders of tomorrow.

Green Course is Israel’s largest environmental volunteer organization, with over 6000 student volunteers in 26 chapters on campuses across Israel. Our work focuses primarily on air pollution, sustainable energy and public transportation.

Through Green Course students are active in education and media projects to raise public awareness to environmental issues including work with schools and youth groups as well as work with students on issues such as greening university campuses. In addition our leadership training program provides outstanding students with the tools they need to become the future environmental leadership of Israel.

Green Course