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I nternational A rid L ands C onsortium Member Institutions The University of Arizona

I nternational A rid L ands C onsortium Member Institutions The University of Arizona Desert Research Institute – Nevada Higher Council for Science & Technology – Jordan The University of Illinois Jewish National Fund New Mexico State University South Dakota State University

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I nternational A rid L ands C onsortium Member Institutions The University of Arizona

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  1. International Arid Lands Consortium Member Institutions The University of Arizona Desert Research Institute – Nevada Higher Council for Science & Technology – Jordan The University of Illinois Jewish National Fund New Mexico State University South Dakota State University Texas A&M University-Kingsville Affiliate Member Ministry of Agriculture & Land Reclamation – Egypt

  2. INTRODUCTION The World Bank estimates that the earth's population will increase in the next 30 years to around 8.5 billion people. With approximately 40 percent of the world's land in arid and semiarid zones, there is a heightened need to transform this terrain for agriculture and habitation, and at the same time, reduce the negative impact of increased human activity and desertification. Most of the nations located in arid and semiarid zones are already suffering from as desertification, loss of agricultural productivity, over-harvesting of trees for fuel, and human and animal pressures. This worsening condition creates a growing need to respond to these global concerns. The International Arid Lands Consortium (IALC), formed in 1989 as an independent, nonprofit organization, seeks to address these problems. The promotion of cooperative arid and semiarid lands research and the dissemination of the knowledge necessary to apply that research in the United States and abroad is the IALC's ultimate goal. In recognition of the importance of the IALC’s activities, the organization was authorized by Congress and that authorization is contained in 7 USC § 3291 (a)(8).

  3. VISION The International Arid Lands Consortium (IALC) strives to be the acknowledged leading international organization supporting ecological sustainability of arid and semiarid lands.

  4. MISSION The International Arid Lands Consortium (IALC) works to achieve research and development, educational and training initiatives, demonstration projects, workshops, and other technology-transfer activities applied to the development, management, restoration, and reclamation of arid and semiarid lands in the U.S., the Middle East, and elsewhere in the world. All activities are supported by the IALC's member institutions and affiliate member through their ongoing applied research aimed at sustaining arid and semiarid land ecological systems, implicitly including humankind.

  5. GUIDING PRINCIPLES • In pursuit of its vision, the IALC adheres to these guiding principles: • Use an ecological approach to multiple-use management and sustainable use of arid and semiarid lands; • Use the best scientific knowledge in developing and recommending appropriate technologies for the management of arid and semiarid lands; • Strive for quality and excellence in everything done and be sensitive to the effects of our recommendations on resources, people, and nations; • Form collaborative partnerships to achieve shared goals of the IALC member institutions; • Recognize that some conflict exists in humankind and strive to deal with it in a professional manner; and • Maintain the highest professional and ethical standards.

  6. APPROACH Cooperation between the United States and the Middle East is well established. The IALC now links United States and Middle East institutions to collectively address problems affecting the development of world-wide marginal land bases. The practical experience of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and Jordan”s Higher Council for Science & Technology (HCST), coupled with the research experience of the United States universities, offers a unique opportunity to share practical technologies with developing countries. This linkage combines the talents of the two leading countries in the world conducting research on arid and semiarid lands development. The IALC offers a unique approach to arid and semiarid lands development that: 1) combines the applied research capabilities of the JNF and the HCST with scholarly and scientific expertise to assure that new technologies and concepts are implemented through effective field management; 2) devises new management procedures for areas which may be affected by global warming in the future; 3) addresses subjects not previously addressed, such as the creation of human-made savannahs for landscaping, grazing, or recreation in arid areas where human-made forests are not possible due to a lack of water and harsh climatic conditions; and 4) utilizes peer review for proposal evaluation and implementation, and for completed IALC projects.

  7. INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES • The IALC institutional capabilities fall into five major categories available at IALC institutions. • Water Resource Development, Conservation, and Management • Land Use • Soil Resource Conservation and Management • Ecosystem Processes • Inventory Technology • The IALC focuses on research and development, educational and training, demonstration projects, workshops, and other technology transfer areas applied to the development, management, restoration, and reclamation of arid and semiarid lands worldwide. • Promoting cooperative arid lands research and providing the means to apply that research in the United States, the Middle East, and elsewhere in the world is the Consortium’s ultimate goal.

  8. FUNDED PROJECTS Since FY2001 the IALC has funded 60 research and development projects, 16 demonstration projects, and 10 special initiatives totaling 5.7 million in allocated funds. Initiatives include workshops, symposiums, conferences, forums, and technical training. To quote former Prime Minister Shimon Peres from a speech conveyed at the IALC International Workshop, Arid Lands Management - Toward Ecological Sustainability, held in Israel, in 1994: “We have to get ourselves organized with the passport that we are carrying as nations and with the challenges that we are facing as people.” Prime Minister Peres went on to say that, “with the fall of Communism, the world has lost an enemy and discovered a problem. Actually, we are going from a world of enemies, to a world of problems and all of our mobilizing sense and force has lost its strength and value. For example, the American president, can mobilize the Congress, the people, the army, the budget, if he has an enemy, but if he has a problem, he has a problem. If I see any national problem that I shall tackle, it doesn’t have a national answer but a regional answer - water, markets, economy, deserts. We have to deal with nature, not with politics.”

  9. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE The organizational structure of IALC consists of a Board of Directors, a Committee on Program Priorities (COPP), and a Research and Demonstration Advisory Committee (RADAC). Board of Directors The Board membership consists of two representatives from each of the 8 member institutions. University representatives are appointed by the president of the university, non-university representatives are appointed by their organizations. Industry sponsors may be represented on the Board, not to exceed one-quarter (25%) of the total membership. The Board is the governing body of the IALC. Authorized through its articles of incorporation and bylaws, the Board: 1) Establishes research and training priorities; 2) Establishes overall operational policies and decision-making processes; 3) Allocates funds for research within IALC priorities; and 4) Hires, reviews, and dismisses staff. Day-to-day activities are overseen by a managing director.

  10. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Kennith Foster meeting their Majesties King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein and Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on the occasion of their Inaugural visit to the United States. Members of the IALC Board of Directors discuss various Items during their meeting held at the University of Arizona in Tucson AZ.

  11. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE Committee On Program Priorities The Committee on Program Priorities (COPP) was established in 1993 by the IALC Board of Directors The COPP: 1) Consists of members drawn from the Board; 2) Distills ideas and information on arid and semiarid lands issues; 3) Utilizes resource persons on a global basis; 4) Develops and recommends an action plan to the Board that addresses IALC's vision and global mission through a periodic review of progress toward established goals; 5) Prioritizes technologies and work within arid and semiarid lands technologies that must be based on long-term goals and global issues; 6) Establishes goals of funding sources in line with the priorities established for the full Board's consideration; and 7) Identifies, establishes, and recommends multi-disciplinary teams.

  12. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE Research and Demonstration Advisory Committee The Board established a Research And Demonstration Advisory Committee (RADAC) comprised of a leading scientist from each member institution, and other individuals as the Board determines. At the Board's direction, the RADAC: 1) Advises and counsels the IALC on the scientific and conceptual aspects of its ongoing and proposed research and demonstration projects; 2) Evaluates and reviews the IALC's research and demonstration activities; and 3) Advises the Board regarding proposed participants, sponsors, or affiliates. The RADAC also furnishes the Board with annual progress reports of all the IALC's research and demonstration activities.

  13. RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE RADAC Members visit a Bada research station near the Safawi Research Centre In eastern Jordan. Dr. Mamdouh Riad, Undersecretary of State for Afforestation, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, (Egypt), left, Dr. Peter Ffolliott, Professor (The University of Arizona), center, and Dr. Menachem Sachs, (Keren Kayemeth LaIsrael, retired), Israel, examine some of the flora at the Patagonia-Sonoita Nature Preserve.

  14. PEACE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM The International Arid Lands Consortium Peace Fellowship Program was created to benefit U.S. and Middle East environment and society, in keeping with the IALC's goal of supporting and researching methods of ecologically sound desert management. The program promotes opportunities for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students to conduct arid lands research and contribute to the Middle East Peace Process. All full-time undergraduate and graduate students from IALC member institutions are eligible to apply to the program and related grants including work-study. Selected students from IALC member institutions spend one month or more working in the field with eminent scientists on projects sponsored by the Consortium. This exchange between American universities and researchers in the Middle East fosters an environment in which young people can grow intellectually and contribute to understanding among Israeli, Arab, and U.S. participants. Students are expected to conduct their research in a country other than their home country. Graduate students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The IALC Peace Fellowship Program is made possible in part through grants from the Archer Daniels Midland Foundation and the USDA Forest Service.

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