Israel is widely known as a leader in innovation, creative thinking and entrepreneurial education. Despite it being just 70 years old, still in its infancy, its unique educational processes have become a model for other countries to replicate.
Uniquely, Israel is the only country in the world which was established for the purpose of securing a religious homeland – making it in many ways the first start up! Following the heartbeat of its soil, by 2016 Israel had been dubbed ‘The Start-Up Nation’, with over 10,000 start-up businesses.
Israel has the 3rd most companies on the NASDAQ, beaten only by the US and China, despite being a fraction of the size. Israel has consistently ranked amongst the States that encourage the largest amount of new businesses, going head to head against economies the world over. Its structure, its heritage, its very ethos is one of a kind.
This ethos is the basis of educational phenomena that span from the religious chareidi yeshiva systems of the ultra-Orthodox, to the military cyber security training programs of the IDF. The ecosystem of Israel is a micro-network of eclectic educational success. According to OECD, Israel is number two in the world when it comes to educated citizens – and 46% of the population has at least one academic degree. This is a country that values educational excellence – and who have plenty to teach.
On a backdrop of unique tourist attractions that vary from The Dead Sea to the Old City of Jerusalem, you can uncover a true melting pot of identities and cultures. Christians, Muslims and Jews live side by side. This kind of diversity makes fertile ground that is essential for creativity and collaboration. Israeli education proves time and time again that it can overcome any barrier, to showcase a pluralistic educational environment which has no borders.
We at One Step Ahead understand the true value of the insights gleaned from the Israeli educational system. We believe that these hidden pearls are the secrets we all need, not just for educational success, but for 21st Century skills overall, and in order to harness the entrepreneurial spirit itself.