Bridging the Digital Divide

This past week, 44 tenth grade students from various public schools (secular, religious, Arab) in Akko completed their first year in Project Neta and received computer technician diplomas from Cicso, the major internationally known network communications corporation. Five graduates also received an award of excellence personally handed out by Shimon Lankri, Mayor of Akko. Lankri thanked the Jewish Agency and other contributers to the project for "the golden opportunity granted to these city youth". Lankri added that another positive contribution of the project was in creating a closeness between Arab and Jewish children, and between religious and secular children.

Project Neta's aim is bridging the digital divide - to train youth in the periphery of Israel for high-tech professions at the highest level, while pursuing social goals and developing local leadership, education for excellence and contribution for the community.

Project Neta, in its second year of operation and running in 14 locations throughout Israel, is co-sponsered by the Jewish Agency, Keren Hayesod, the Tapuach non-profit Association, and the Cisco Corporation.