Washington â€" The Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME) organization pursues two lofty goals: peace and environmental preservation.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Washington — The Friends of the Earth Middle East ( FoEME ) organization pursues two lofty goals: peace and environmental preservation.
With offices in Amman, Jordan; Bethlehem and Tel Aviv, FoEME brings together individuals and organizations who are dedicated to protecting their shared regional environmental heritage.
Among the organization’s leaders is Munqeth Mehyar, chairman and director of FoEME’s Amman branch.
“In the midst of conflict, we have produced very tangible results,” Mehyar said, in response to FoEME’s acceptance of the 2009 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship. “All of the key issues that the organization has led are on the local, national, regional and often international agenda.”
One of the early founders of FoEME, Mehyar is a graduate of the University of Louisiana with a degree in regional planning and architecture. Mehyar supervises international project development and management while lobbying private and governmental groups on regional environmental policies.
Mehyar is well respected for his environmental and charitable work. In 2000, King Abdullah II of Jordan awarded him the Medal of Distinguished Giving for his charitable activities. Time magazine recognized Mehyar, FoEME Israel Director Gidon Bromberg and Bethlehem Director Nader Al-Khateeb as Environmental Heroes of 2008.
FoEME projects are categorized under three themes: geographical context, socio-economic and climate change.
Within the geographical context, many of FoEME’s projects focus on issues affecting the Dead Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. The environmental systems in each of these areas are shared by Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians and highlight the need for cooperation.
“I hope that we understand that water is not a national resource, but a regional resource that may serve as a source of cooperation,” Mehyar told Al-Majalla magazine in 2009, adding that past mistakes over shared water usage should not be repeated.
On the socio-economic front, FoEME’s activities focus on sustainable water use, water privatization, sustainable development, renewable energy and healthy food practices. Climate change, meanwhile, is an issue that impacts everyone in the region.
When he is not saving the environment and fostering peace, Mehyar is active in a range of activities that showcase his dedication to improving his community.
Mehyar is a founding member of the Jordan Society for the Handicapped and the Jordan Royal Ecological Diving Society.
( This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov )
Related Content
Published by:
N/A
Release Date
This story was released on 2010-04-15. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.