Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)

U.S. Support for Freedom & Democracy

“Leaders for Democracy” Fellowship Program: Four Month Program (January - May 2007) for Young Leaders in the United States. The deadline has passed, but please check this website for updates on next year's program.

The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce the “Leaders for Democracy” Fellowships Program. This four-month program will provide 20-25 emerging democratic reform leaders between the ages of 25 and 40, from across the Middle East and North Africa, with the opportunity to complete both academic coursework and a skill-building internship in their field of choice in the United States. The fellowship will cover all 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 Bachelors degree and English language fluency to function successfully in an American academic and professional environment. Applicants should also 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.

Interested applicants should answer the following questions:

- How will this fellowship enable you to better lead your community or country towards greater democracy and citizen 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 experience it offers?

- What changes do you hope to bring about in your country during the next 10 years?

Description of the Program

This program will begin in at the end of January 2007 with a four-week academic program at a prestigious American university. Participants will complete relevant seminars and workshops on the key elements of democratic governance, including: the development of democratic institutions; constitutional law; political parties and campaigning; electoral laws; rule of law and legal codes; transparency/good governance; citizenship and civic education; and the relationship between democracy and other social and economic factors. Participants will receive a certificate from the accredited institution upon the successful completion of the academic preparation program.

After completing the academic portion of the program, participants will engage in a three-month internship from March to May 2007 with a political, non-governmental, or public policy organization of professional interest. Through their internships, participants will gain practical experience and further professional contacts to draw upon within their network. Possible internship opportunities include working for: a Congressional member or committee, a state legislature, a city-council, a non-governmental organization, a political activist group, a campaign, or a think tank. Internships will be based in a major American city.

Background on MEPI

MEPI was launched by the U.S. Government in 2002 to support democracy promotion, economic reform, quality education, and women’s empowerment in the Middle East. Since then, it has funded more than 350 programs across the MENA region, ranging from support for election monitoring to improvements in the quality of education.