Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (AIES) is an academic studies and research institute located at Kibbutz Ketura on the Israeli side of the Arava Valley. Under the motto that "nature knows no borders", AIES seeks to train future leaders of the Middle East in environmental issues so that they will be able to cooperate in solving regional environmental problems. The Arava is a sparsely populated desert valley that connects the Dead Sea region with the Red Sea, and is part of the Jordan Rift Valley. Between the Dead Sea and the cities of Eilat and Aqaba, the Arava forms the border between Israel and Jordan.
| Motto | Nature knows no borders |
|---|---|
| Type | Semester or year-long; undergraduate & graduate |
| Established | 1996 |
| Affiliation | Kibbutz Ketura |
Academic affiliation | Ben-Gurion University of the Negev |
Officer in charge | David Lehrer |
| Academic Director | Tareq abu Hamed |
| Location | D.N. Hevel Eilot , 88840 , Israel 29°58′3.36″N 35°4′15.24″E |
| Campus | Rural |
| Language | English |
| Website | arava |
Kibbutz Ketura, founded in 1973 by members of Young Judaea, is located only a few hundred meters from the border between Israel and Jordan. Kibbutz Ketura is one of a small number of intentional communities in Israel. The kibbutz is also a member of Israel's Green Kibbutzim movement, which seeks to promote environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. A portion of the kibbutz's agricultural produce is organic.