The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is a leading environmental teaching and research organization in the Middle East, preparing future Arab and Jewish leaders to cooperatively solve the region’s environmental challenges. Located in the heart of Israel’s Arava desert, the Arava Institute is a unique oasis of environmental education, research, and international cooperation. The Arava Institute houses research centers focused on Environmental and Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, and Transboundary Water Management. AIES research centers focus on Renewable Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, Transboundary Water Management, Political Ecology, Applied Environmental Diplomacy, Climate Change and Jordan-Israel initiatives. Much of our research benefits off-grid, mist vulnerable communities. Most projects work across borders, creating cooperative projects between Israeli and Palestinian/Jordanian academic institutions, NGOs, and communities. The Institute demonstrates that the environment can provide a focus for reconciliation and create a bridge between Israelis and Arabs that transcends political and religious divides. The Arava Institute can offer lectures, tours and sessions for groups coming to the Arava (on the way to or from Eilat), as well as meetings with some of our lecturers in the Center and tours of a few facilities in the West Bank, near Arad, and in the Beit She'an area.