Gershon Baskin and Zakaria al-Qaq
Israeli CEO and founder of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI).
IPCRI is a joint Israeli-Palestinian public policy research think-tank working on issues in conflict between the sides. IPCRI proposes policy options to decision makers regarding the issues in the peace process. Dr. Baskin was the founder of IPCRI and has served as co-director since its establishment. The director’s tasks include: policy development, researching, writing policy papers, fundraising, project development, administration of projects, contacts with government officials and the diplomatic community, and hiring staff.
2012-Present
Vice President, Special Projects, Gigawatt Global
Gigawatt Global Coöperatief U.A. is a multinational renewable energy company focused on the development and management of utility-scale solar fields in emerging markets.
2013 – 2015
Business and Civil Society Engagement Specialist, Trade-Related Assistance for Development (TRADE) (USAID – Deloitte Consultancy)
The Trade-Related Assistance for Development project is directed toward improving Palestine’s global standing in the international economy through higher levels of trade and foreign direct investment. Through this project, USAID supports activities that enhance the policy and institutional environment for trade and investment, improve trade facilitation, strengthen the business environment for competition, and support advocacy and outreach activities that advance trade policy agenda.
1981-1988
Prince Hassan bin Talal and Gershon Baskin
The Institute was founded jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office (Zevulan Hammer and Menechem Begin). Dr. Baskin proposed the idea to the Prime Minister’s Office and to the Minister of Education. The work of the institute concentrated on developing models of educational programs for Jewish-Arab encounters, developing teaching plans for Jewish and Arab teachers and conducting intensive teacher training. The work of the director included working with donors, the Ministry of Education and Prime Minister’s Office, developing educational material, staff training, and facilitating encounters and teacher training.
1983-1986
Consultant, Van Leer Institute
Consultant to the staff of the Van Leer Education for Coexistence staff working alongside of Aluf Hareven. Work included facilitating teacher training courses, lecturing on Jewish-Arab relations and developing curricula for schools.
1981-1982
Coordinator of Educational Programs Between Jewish and Arab Schools, Israeli Ministry of Education
The position entailed getting the Ministry of Education to recognize the value of education for coexistence, enabling schools to create encounters for their students with schools from the other sector, coordinating between various departments of the Ministry of Education (Arab, youth, Pedagogical Executive, regional district offices, etc. ) This position was created at my initiative and following considerably lobbying.
1978-1981
Interns for Peace: Esther Lafontaine, David Lafontaine, Gershon Baskin, and Tamar LaFontaine
Developing community based programs of interaction and cooperation between Kfar Qar’a and nearby Jewish communities such as Pardes Hanna and Hadera. During this period, I also taught English in the primary and secondary schools of Kafr Qar’a.
