MEPI to launch a network of programme beneficiaries

01/06/2007

Last month, the US State Department-sponsored Middle East Partnership Initiative announced the establishment of an alumni network, to connect the beneficiaries of its programmes.

By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis – 01/06/2007

[amideast.org] MEPI fellows at a 2007 meeting in Washington.

Administrators of the US State Department-funded Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) announced last month that they would establish a network for alumni of its programmes, including small business owners, non-governmental organisations, students and lecturers, in order to foster friendly relationships and co-operation among them.

This step comes after four years of projects and investments in Arab civil society designed to help shape hundreds of champions for reform in the Middle East and North Africa.

Since its inception in 2002, MEPI has allocated more than $293m to Middle East and North Africa residents working toward democratic and educational reform, economic growth and expanding the role of women. Communications director Fawzi Echaouche said, "The preliminary step before the formation of the network will be the creation of a committee gathering participants from Jordan, Bahrain, Yemen, Lebanon, Morocco and Egypt." Echaouche added that the remaining groups will be added next July, and it is expected that the full assembly of participants will be completed in September.

In a statement to Magharebia, Walcott Lawrence, Deputy Director of the regional MEPI office in Tunis said, "The goal of establishing this network is to create relationships among the beneficiaries of our programmes so that they can exchange experiences and expertise in order to support efforts for reform."

Over 1400 participants have been invited to join this network, which was created in conjunction with the America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST). MEPI fellow Dr. Abd al-Majid al-Zahaf welcomed this project, which he considers "crucial for exchanging expertise and experiences among the various beneficiaries, which could then lead to cooperation between members." Al-Zahaf obtained funding for two projects: the establishment of the Centre for Youth and Life (Markaz al-Shabab wa al-Hayat), to help youth infected with AIDS, and a second centre to study the progression and spread of the disease in male and female youth. "I believe that we in the Middle East and North Africa need exchanges of expertise in this field, which remains surrounded by taboo," Al-Zahaf said, adding that the centre is prepared to offer "advice about the methods it followed to encourage youth to discuss their ordeal without fear".

Early last May, MEPI directors invited young democracy leaders from the Middle East and North Africa to submit applications to join a three-month democracy leadership program in the United States. Successful applicants are given the opportunity to complete an academic programme, acquire practical experience and refine their skills in a subject of their choice. The initiative’s democracy leadership scholarships will begin in 2008 and run for a six-week period under the leadership of the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in New York. The program will resemble a typical semester at Syracuse University, and will present each participant with a customized program geared towards a professional career.

After the completion of the academic program, the participants will gain practical experience and professional contacts during a five-week internship period at non-governmental or public policy organizations in Syracuse, New York City, or Washington, DC. Scholarship recipients will receive a certificate attesting to their successful completion of the full three-month programme. The program requires participants to be between 25 and 40 years old, hold a bachelor’s degree and speak fluent English.