Arab managers and people in high government positions are trained by Israeli leadership experts. The scene might have seemed surreal a few years ago. Now it became a reality. Since Israel normalized diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Morocco and – a few months later – Sudan in September 2020, cooperation with these countries – and especially with the UAE – has been growing. A large number of joint projects have now been implemented, such as the training of management personalities now.
Under the slogan “Healthy Minds, Blooming Nations”, the UAE’s Khalifa Empowerment Program – known as Aqdar – has launched a joint initiative with the Israeli Emirates Leadership Program (ILEP). It was realized for the first time during Expo 2020 in Dubai: Around 40 Emirati managers and personalities in government offices took part in leadership workshops led by two Israeli experts.
Above all, Aqdar wants to develop national cadres in the UAE. Ibrahim Al Dabal, head of Aqdar, and Eran Teboul, head of IELP, expect their collaboration to continue over the next three years. The exchange of knowledge between Emirati and Israeli executives is also to be promoted. Both sides hope to benefit from each other’s experiences. Young managers are also employed and promoted as mentors within the framework of the program. Dabal and Teboul see an essential contribution to strengthening relations between the two peoples.
“This program is another milestone in the relationship between Israeli and Emirati experts,” says Teboul. “Our ability to rely on one another and share the wealth of our knowledge serves as a unique platform for real relationships between peoples.” Al Dabal underlines: “I am sure that this program will strengthen the relations between our two nations by changing the mutual exchange of knowledge. It will lead to more peace and more success. Israel and the UAE serve as a model for cooperation between different nationalities. “
