In Jerusalem, Israel, this week,
the sky was blue
and the open spaces were green after winter rains.
My walk through the Valley of the Cross to
the Israel Museum is a favorite,
but I kept stopping to take photos.
I was on my way to the Israel Museum
for the Forbes Under-30 summit.
600 young “game changers” attended,
200 from US, 200 from Europe and 200 from Israel.
This is an annual event to swap ideas, collaborate,
create partnerships and to learn.
One session was led by Monica Lewinsky,
who is currently working to prevent cyber bullying.
It was hot outside in the sunny garden,
but Regis, a delegate from France, posed for me anyway.
I sure hope he met Konstantinos from Greece,
who also has an internet site to help young volunteers.
Also, this week,
the Israel National Library
has its cornerstone laying ceremony.
It was a well-planned and fancy affair,
down to the book-themed centerpieces, buffet tables and coffee.
This was not the “real” streets
as the streets were blocked and traffic was stopped
for the Israeli government officials and royalty to attend.
Most of the 350 library staff members were not invited.
In the center, is Lord Rothschild, or
Nathaniel Charles Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild, Bt, OM, GBE, FBA,
as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached to shake hands
with another major donor to the library, Mr. David S. Gottesman.
The original library was built on Mt Scopus in 1930,
but had to be abandoned in 1948,
and the collection was scattered around Jerusalem in various locations
before being consolidated in present Givat Ram location.
The Prime Minister was one of the speakers.
The new complex is between the Knesset Building
and the other leading museums.
Museum heads were present,
as were other prominent community leaders.
Let’s see who remembers our friend on the right?
But there was so much more happening
in Jerusalem, Israel, this week!
Hansen House hosted Wikimedia Hackathon Jerusalem.
Hundreds of “techies,” computer programmer volunteers,
gathered to work on data, photos, and media
that goes with and supports Wikipedia.
In the old renovated leper hospital,
ultra-modern technology was being developed.
The Wikipedia-Wikimedia community wants to make
all knowledge free and accessible to the world.
The Hansen House gardens were green,
and noticeably improved from their sad state a few years ago.
I love seeing the new coming from the old in Jerusalem.
But there was yet another first time in Jerusalem, Israel,
conference this week.
CleanTech2016 was held at the Ramada Hotel.
Co-sponsored by my friends at JBNF,
the Jerusalem Business Networking Forum,
this 20th international conference dealt with
energy technologies, waste systems and sustainability.
It was fascinating to speak with a woman from China,
who was here representing a Sino-Singapore project.
They are planning a new development complex outside
China’s biggest city and are looking for investors and technology.
She knew English and seemed well-educated.
However when I told her about Wikipedia,
she said she had never heard of it.
Thousands of people came together in Jerusalem.
Many were first time visitors at these first-ever events,
call it a summit, hackathon or conference,
it was a meeting of minds, all working for a better enlightened future.
What an amazing week in Jerusalem!
From London, China, Greece, Germany, US, France, and more,
people were able to see what was really happening.
All these great things and the good things
that the mainstream media ignores.
No blood. No story. Does not sell.
So please enjoy the good stuff and share.
More Under 30 photos HERE.
