Ke Zhang was born in Anqing, China, and received his Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and English Literature, with a minor in Spanish from Ningbo University, China. 

 

Ke conducted his Glocal internship with EcoPeace Middle East. He was responsible for projects and activities related to the international affairs efforts of the organization, including water diplomacy and climate security. He also did a mapping of water projects in the region including Israel’s national water carrier and Israel’s proposed reversal of the water carrier (new pipes to reverse the current, natural water carrier in order to pump water back to the Sea of Galilee), 

King Abdullah Canal, and dams in Jordan and Syria; as well as desalinated Mediterranean water and renewable energy investments in the region. He also supported the organization’s annual conference in Jordan and a regional tour of Israel.

Ke believes that the theory-based, academic curriculum at Glocal, combined with the internship in the field has shown him many different perspectives and approaches to International Development work. 

 

 

Despite the complex political context in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan, nature does not recognize the existence of borders. People on opposing sides of the conflict drink the same water, breathe the same air, and live on the same planet. This shows how vital it is for individuals and organizations to find common ground in the protection of the environment and put their differences aside for this particular case, finding the ability to work together to collaborate across borders. To enact real change, it is important to realize the role that the environment plays in diplomacy, and how it impacts decision-making in regional security and peace processes.

 

 

 

 

 

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