Leaders for Democracy Fellowships
Three-month Program in the United States for Young Leaders

Applications due by October 20, 2008

                          Announcement


The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for candidates to participate in the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program. This annual program will provide young civic and democratic reform leaders from the Middle East and North Africa with the opportunity to complete both academic coursework and a practical, skill-building experience as well as networking with likeminded reformers and activists inside and outside the region. The fellowship will cover international and domestic travel, health insurance, housing, and a moderate living stipend.

The program is open to applicants between the ages of 25 and 40 with a bachelor's degree and English language fluency to function successfully in an American academic and professional environment. Applicants also should have five years of work experience, as well as leadership skills and the capacity to apply the opportunities presented by the fellowship in a way that would benefit an organization, sector, or specific community. This program will run from March 15, 2009, to June 13, 2009. Fellows will travel to the United States unaccompanied.

Interested applicants should submit no later than October 20, 2008 an updated resume and essay of no more than 1000 words (written in English), which answers the following questions:-

• How will a MEPI Leaders for Democracy Fellowship enable you to better lead your community or country towards greater democracy and citizenship participation in the institutions and activities of government?
• What do you hope to gain from this program and what are your plans to apply the lessons you learn upon your return? What changes do you hope to bring about in your country during the next 10 years?

Description of the Program
This program will begin with six weeks of academic coursework that includes topics on leadership and democracy, communication and conflict resolution among others at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University (http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/ ) in upstate New York. The Maxwell School is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the best graduate school in the United States for public affairs. Fellows will complete relevant seminars and workshops that address theoretical debates as well as active skills building sessions.

After completing the academic portion of the program, participants will engage in a six-week professional assignment with political, non-governmental, or public policy organization of professional interest in Washington DC.

Through this component of the program, participants will gain practical experience about the ways that such institutions interact with government and civil society while also gaining valuable knowledge, experience, skills and further professional contacts to benefit their respective professional pursuits back home.

Submitting Applications
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to the point of contact listed below at the U.S. embassy. Applicants who are subject to J-1 visa restrictions, are employed by the U.S. Government, or are the spouse or child of a U.S. Government employee will not be considered for this program. Applicants will be informed of the status of their applications by November 1, 2008.

Please submit a current CV as well as responses to the essay questions, by email, with the subject line “MEPI LDF application – (Your Name)” to to the following appropriate contact in your home country:

 

 

For general press enquiries, please contact:
Matthew Long, Information Officer
tel. +216 71-107-290, fax +216 71-963-263, longmw@state.gov

Mejda Chergui, Information Assistant
tel. +216-71-107-239, fax +216 71-963-263, cherguim@state.gov

 

ALGIERS
Mohamed Lahmar
Email: lahmarmm@state.gov

BEIRUT
Jacqueline Ward
Email: WardJL2@state.gov

CAIRO
James Peterson
Email: PetersonJW@state.gov

JERUSALEM
Ali Baskey
Email: BaskeyAC@state.gov

RABAT
David Brownstein
Email: BrownsteinDP@state.gov

TEL AVIV
Zeba Reyazuddin
Email: ReyazuddinZ@state.gov

TRIPOLI
John Godfrey
Email: GodfreyJT@state.gov

TUNIS
Prakah Dickey
Email: DickeyP@state.gov