Global Jewish charity shares work with UK officials

Tag International Development describes work with Israeli charities around the world at Parliament reception.

By JONNY PAUL , JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT
Tag ID 311 (photo credit: Yakir Zur)
Tag ID 311
(photo credit: Yakir Zur)
LONDON – British parliamentarians learned firsthand about the work of a new Jewish charity that facilitates Israeli humanitarian expertise and social innovation to provide sustainable solutions to crucial issues affecting vulnerable populations.
At a reception in Parliament on Monday night, Tag International Development, a global organization that connects Israeli charities to partners in an array of countries to find sustainable solutions to a variety of problems across the world, shared its work with a group of British officials.
The charity focuses on vulnerable populations, including women, children, the elderly, refugees, disabled and at-risk communities.
Utilizing Israeli expertise and best practice methods, Tag ID operates in areas such as disaster preparedness, agriculture and community development. Its mission statement states that its work is rooted in Jewish social values “transcending borders, religion, race and politics.”
Ambassadors, MPs and civil servants engaged with program staff working on the ground to understand the impact that Israeli innovation and enterprise – mainly in the medical and social development fields – is having in the developing world.
Attendees included the Jordanian ambassador and the Sri Lankan high commissioner.
The event, hosted by Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, celebrated the many projects Tag ID facilitates around the world, including in Pakistan, India, Myanmar and Kenya. Projects include health and medicine, agriculture, technology, social infrastructure, disaster preparedness and postdisaster reconstruction.
Tag ID works with NGOs in Israel such as Magen David Adom, Yad Sarah and the social work department of Ben-Gurion University to benefit developing countries with their experience in building sustainable projects.
Speaking at the event, MP Ivan Lewis, shadow secretary of state for international development, said: “Israel has so much to offer, not only to its neighbors, but to the rest of the world. There has never been a better time to demonstrate its cutting edge expertise to developing countries than now.
“We are delighted that so many Parliamentarians and other guests were able to learn more about Tag ID’s valuable work,” said founder and chairman of Rabbi Yossi Ives. “We have worked hard to develop a network of world class experts who assist partners on the ground and allow the knowledge which has been gained in Israel to make a positive difference in so many people’s lives.”