Israeli Presidential Conference – “Facing Tomorrow”

During the tenure of President Peres (2007-2014), the Israeli Presidential Conferences – “Facing Tomorrow” were held between the years 2008-2013. The conferences established themselves as key gatherings of world leaders, both in Israel and across the globe. The conferences garnered the participation and attendance of presidents, heads of state, leaders of the hi-tech industry, pioneering scientists and entrepreneurs, economists, philosophers, opinion makers, and leading politicians from Israel and the international community. Every year, the conferences dealt with trending core issues in areas such as foreign policy, security, geopolitics, economy, innovation, culture, and the humanities. This was with the aim of reaching solutions that would lead to a better tomorrow for Israel, the Jewish people, and humanity as a whole.

The first conference in 2008 was the main event to mark 60 years of Israeli independence. It opened with a speech by then-US President George Bush. At the President’s Conference held in 2012, Peres awarded the Presidential Medal of Distinction, the highest state honor, to individuals who have “made an outstanding contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity, through their talents, services, or in any other form.” Among the recipients of the decoration were former US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. In 2013, the conference in Jerusalem opened with the 90th birthday celebration of President Shimon Peres, which was attended by distinguished guests from across the world. This included a memorable speech by President Clinton and a beautiful singing performance by Barbara Streisand, dedicated to President Peres.