Israel-Asia Center

Jerusalem, December 31, 2009 -- For the first time, Israel will be represented in Harbin, China through a special photography exhibit to coincide with the International Ice and Snow Festival between January 5-10, 2010.

Student graduates from StandWithUs Israel Fellowship from Bar-Ilan University will exhibit 50 photographs showcasing the State of Israel, and hand out resources and information in Chinese on Israeli innovations in agritech, cleantech, IT and medical technologies to visitors and media at the world-famous ice show, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.

Israeli Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelstein will present a video message on behalf of the Israeli Government as the exhibition commences. The Governor of Harbin will open the exhibition on Wednesday, January 6th at 9 a.m. at the Harbin Jewish Research Center together with the Israeli Ambassador to China, HE Amos Nadai. The photographic exhibition will run from January 6-10, and is also in partnership with the Israel-Asia Center (http://www.israelasiacenter.org).

The student delegation was invited by the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences President Qu Wei. StandWithUs is an eight year-old, non-profit, international Israel education organization (www.standwithus.com).

The exhibition was assembled by curator Iris Elhanani and is entitled "Inside Israel". More than 50 photographs by 30 of Israel's leading artists will reflect contemporary Israel, landscapes and nature, modern-day lifestyles in Israel, Judaism, ethnic groups and architecture.

Michael Dickson, director of the StandWithUs Israel office, who will join the delegation, reflects that, "We hope to utilize this well-attended event and the media to enhance the Chinese view of Israel by showcasing a different side to Israel beyond the conflict. The combination of these highly articulate, impressive young future leaders and a photo exhibition will impart both fascinating and fundamental facts and stories about Israel today and be an asset to Israel's standing in China."

The Festival exhibition is the year-end project for the students who are graduates of StandWithUs' Israel Fellowship, a year-long program that identifies and trains 150 student leaders from six Israeli universities to be future representatives of the State Of Israel. www.standwithus.co.il

The student delegation to China originated after they were challenged to pitch ideas for projects which would promote and educate about Israel around the world. "150 StandWithUs Israeli Fellows put forth ideas," explains SWU regional executive Jonnie Schyntzer, an Australian born Bar Ilan University student who has lived in Israel for many years. "150 people had 150 ideas; eventually these were whittled down to 3 and ours was chosen to represent our campus. We felt that relations between Israel and China are vital. We represent the next generation of Israel's ambassadors, so for thousands of Chinese people to be able to see Israel through our eyes is very special".

For Israel-Asia Center founder and director, Rebecca Zeffert, this is an exciting event. "China is playing an increasingly important role on the world stage. In light of the growing China-Israel relationship, we are proud to be a partner in this event and look forward to supporting further projects in the future that foster cooperation and understanding between the Israeli and Chinese peoples."

For further details, contact:
Michael Dickson, Director StandWithUs Israel office
From the US: 011+972- 02-636-0200 (office), 011- +972-52-409-9957 (cell)
Within Israel/Elsewhere: +972 (0) 2 636 0200 (office), +972 (0) 52 409 9957 (cell)

Introduction by Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelstein:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk4SnMqHwWk

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