Israel today entered an agreement with the Organisation of American States to place at the disposal of the Latin American republics 200 scholarships to be administered mainly by the Pan-American Union, to aid local and economic development. Another agreement simultaneously announced covered 60 scholarships to 10 Latin American countries for youth leadership courses in Israel.
The agreements were formalized today at a meeting of Dr. Jose A. Mora, secretary-general of the OAS, with Israel Ambassador Avraham Harman. Mr. Mora said agreement with Israel expanded the intercontinental relations of the OAS and was in keeping with the OAS “ideal of attaining progress without sacrificing our tradition of freedom or endangering our democratic structures. ” He said that Israel offered an example, through its achievements, and added “I feel no doubt that we will know how to respond to the confidence placed in us.”
Ambassador Harman expressed hope that cooperation between Israel and the OAS would expand. Mr.Harman said that economic and social development could not succeed alone, but only as a means for enlarging boundaries of human freedom and dignity.
The 200 scholarships provide for instruction in agricultural planning, cooperative organization in a developing society, arid zone agriculture and irrigation, and other topics. Israel will pay for tuition and maintenance, while the pan-American Union will finance transportation.
The youth leader courses offer 60 scholarships to mobilize the youth for constructive aims, and will bring young people to Israel from states designated, mainly Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Costa Rica and Mexico.
The 200 scholarships are to be used within 18 months, while the youth leadership trainees will receive their instruction during 1963. An OAS observer will be welcomed by Israel and it is anticipated that the pan-American Union will provide continuity by following up the work of participants in their respective countries upon completion of the courses, according to Dr. Mora.
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