Negev Conference

On July 1, 2008, the Negev Conference took place in Dimona. The conference was initiated and sponsored by the Merage Foundation - Israel and the Negev-Galilee office. Participants included Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni, Minister of Negev-Galilee Yaakov Edry, Minister of Finance, Minister of Transport, Minister of Infrastructure, mayors and heads of councils, business professionals, and members of the arts and education.

The conference addressed various burning issues in the public agenda concerning the Negev development:
• The movement of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) units as a boost for Negev development
• The Negev and Arava as a center for renewed world energies
• Development of transportation infrastructure
• Employment and business opportunities
• Culture and education