According to Eleana Gordon, founder of the Center for Liberty in the Middle East, presenting its latest initiative, the Institute of Online Activism at the World e-Democracy Forum in Issy-les-Moulineaux (Paris), 30 % of bloggers in the Middle East are women. The Institute allows women in the Middle East access to tools to "turn their dreams into action for change." Her speech illustrates the rise of e-democracy in this region.
The Center for Liberty in the Middle East (Clime) is a nonprofit organization that supports defenders of democratic values of freedom and tolerance in the Middle East. Through its network of activists across the region, CLIME advocates a peaceful transition of political systems that protect individual liberties, allow the full political participation and respect of ethnic pluralism, religious and political.
Eleana Gordon is also founder of "Online Activism Institute", whose goal is to teach activism through e*learning, activist videos and virtual mentoring. After a year of development, it launched in 2009 in Egypt and Jordan with training for 90 women on its flagship online course, "Create Your Activism Plan."
The Online Activism Institute is a consortium of NGOs, web-development, and academic partners in the Middle East and United States, who work together to provide state-of the-art training and resources through an e-learning platform. The consortium is based in Cairo, Amman and Washington, D.C. with plans to expand to more locations in the future. The Online Activism Institute is funded through the U.S. Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). MEPI supports efforts to foster reform throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
http://www.edemocracy-forum.com/2009/11/internet-tool-for-training-in-democratic-practices-.html
Showing posts with label MEPI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MEPI. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
UAE: GWU launches legal rights awareness drive for women's
WAM Abu Dhabi
A two month program was launched today by the General Women's Union (GWU) to educate women about their legal rights and build their capacity to defend these vested constitutional rights.
Being organized by the GWU in conjunction with the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the ''Know Your Rights'' program will feature a series of 12 workshops to familiarize women leaders from government ministries and departments with international laws and conventions on rights of women, in addition to a bundle of UAE laws like the personal status code, and laws on civil service and labor. These activities will shed light on provisions enshrined in the UAE constitution in regards to personal status code, and laws of labor and human resources.
GWU Director General Noura Al Suweidi said ''The program seeks to raise awareness standard of women about their vested rights guaranteed by the UAE constitution and laws and build their capacity to defend their legal rights.
In today's workshop held at the GWU premises, Dr Mohammed Abdul Rahim of College of Law, UAE University, lectured about 40 women leaders on rights and duties of women in the view of the the personal status code.
A two month program was launched today by the General Women's Union (GWU) to educate women about their legal rights and build their capacity to defend these vested constitutional rights.
Being organized by the GWU in conjunction with the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the ''Know Your Rights'' program will feature a series of 12 workshops to familiarize women leaders from government ministries and departments with international laws and conventions on rights of women, in addition to a bundle of UAE laws like the personal status code, and laws on civil service and labor. These activities will shed light on provisions enshrined in the UAE constitution in regards to personal status code, and laws of labor and human resources.
GWU Director General Noura Al Suweidi said ''The program seeks to raise awareness standard of women about their vested rights guaranteed by the UAE constitution and laws and build their capacity to defend their legal rights.
In today's workshop held at the GWU premises, Dr Mohammed Abdul Rahim of College of Law, UAE University, lectured about 40 women leaders on rights and duties of women in the view of the the personal status code.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Wharton School and the University of Pennsylvania Law School Host Young Women Leaders From the Middle East
Penn Law and Wharton Executive Education Deliver Third Annual Legal and Business Fellowship Program in Partnership With AMIDEAST and the U.S. Department of State
PHILADELPHIA, June 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Wharton School have attracted a group of 22 young women leaders in business and law from over 10 countries in the Middle East for a Legal and Business Fellowship Program. Now in its third year, the Penn Law and Wharton Executive Education program is offered in partnership with the America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) and funded by the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
The young executives and lawyers came to Penn from countries that included Algeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, and the West Bank. Admission to the program is highly competitive and based upon each woman's leadership potential, commitment to professional growth in the business and legal sectors of her local economy, and knowledge of English.Since completion of the program, the women have dispersed across the U.S. for a four-month internship at a Fortune 500 company or top-tier law firm.
"It was a pleasure to welcome the third cohort from the Legal and Business Fellowship Program this year," says Wharton Executive Education Senior Director Sandhya Karpe. "The program participants are eagerly awaited each year by staff and faculty at Penn because of the richness they bring to the community. Over the years, we have learned as much from these fine young women as they have learned from us - about their countries and cultures, but more importantly about resilience. We wish them happiness and success as they return to their countries to follow their dreams and as passionate ambassadors of peace and change."
The program is co-directed by Peter Cappelli, George W. Taylor Professor of Management and director of Wharton's Center for Human Resources; Janet Greco, co-president, Transition One Associates; and Michael Knoll, Theodore K. Warner Professor of Law & Professor of Real Estate, and co-director of the Center for Tax Law and Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Knoll notes that the faculty makes changes to the program each year to keep it fresh. One such important change was the addition of societal wealth creation projects, designed and facilitated by Jim Thompson, associate director of Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs and director of Wharton's Societal Wealth Program.
"This year we asked the women to produce business plans for a business that would be profitable for investors and cater to an important societal need in their home countries," Knoll says. "Working in groups of four or five, the women came up with a range of interesting proposals, including a glass-blowing factory, an English language school, and a recycling business. They drew heavily on what they had learned in their four weeks here. After their presentations, the women left Penn with a sense of accomplishment, confidence in their abilities, and a real can-do attitude."
Impressed by the women she has taught in the program, Lisa Warshaw, director of the Wharton Communication Program, says that the group is one of her favorites to teach. "These young women bring a wide diversity of experience and backgrounds that enhance the learning experience," Warshaw says. "We've always found them to be engaged and intellectually curious; we learn a great deal from our discussions with these remarkable women."
Raghda Shaheen, a program participant from the UAE, feels that the program represents an opportunity to break the stereotypes between Arabs and Americans. "The program allowed us to bridge the cultural gaps between the different environments," Shaheen says. What she will remember most about the program, in addition to the knowledge gained, was its transformative effect.
"On my last day at Wharton, after saying farewell to the amazing faculty and staff at the graduation ceremony, I walked back to the hotel with a heavy heart," Shaheen says. "I was carrying my Wharton certificate, four heavy binders for each week of class, a couple of amazing books, a treasure of friendships, and a life-time experience. I looked back at the statue of Benjamin Franklin smiling at me, and at that moment, I knew my life would never be the same."
PHILADELPHIA, June 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Wharton School have attracted a group of 22 young women leaders in business and law from over 10 countries in the Middle East for a Legal and Business Fellowship Program. Now in its third year, the Penn Law and Wharton Executive Education program is offered in partnership with the America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) and funded by the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
The young executives and lawyers came to Penn from countries that included Algeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, and the West Bank. Admission to the program is highly competitive and based upon each woman's leadership potential, commitment to professional growth in the business and legal sectors of her local economy, and knowledge of English.Since completion of the program, the women have dispersed across the U.S. for a four-month internship at a Fortune 500 company or top-tier law firm.
"It was a pleasure to welcome the third cohort from the Legal and Business Fellowship Program this year," says Wharton Executive Education Senior Director Sandhya Karpe. "The program participants are eagerly awaited each year by staff and faculty at Penn because of the richness they bring to the community. Over the years, we have learned as much from these fine young women as they have learned from us - about their countries and cultures, but more importantly about resilience. We wish them happiness and success as they return to their countries to follow their dreams and as passionate ambassadors of peace and change."
The program is co-directed by Peter Cappelli, George W. Taylor Professor of Management and director of Wharton's Center for Human Resources; Janet Greco, co-president, Transition One Associates; and Michael Knoll, Theodore K. Warner Professor of Law & Professor of Real Estate, and co-director of the Center for Tax Law and Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Knoll notes that the faculty makes changes to the program each year to keep it fresh. One such important change was the addition of societal wealth creation projects, designed and facilitated by Jim Thompson, associate director of Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs and director of Wharton's Societal Wealth Program.
"This year we asked the women to produce business plans for a business that would be profitable for investors and cater to an important societal need in their home countries," Knoll says. "Working in groups of four or five, the women came up with a range of interesting proposals, including a glass-blowing factory, an English language school, and a recycling business. They drew heavily on what they had learned in their four weeks here. After their presentations, the women left Penn with a sense of accomplishment, confidence in their abilities, and a real can-do attitude."
Impressed by the women she has taught in the program, Lisa Warshaw, director of the Wharton Communication Program, says that the group is one of her favorites to teach. "These young women bring a wide diversity of experience and backgrounds that enhance the learning experience," Warshaw says. "We've always found them to be engaged and intellectually curious; we learn a great deal from our discussions with these remarkable women."
Raghda Shaheen, a program participant from the UAE, feels that the program represents an opportunity to break the stereotypes between Arabs and Americans. "The program allowed us to bridge the cultural gaps between the different environments," Shaheen says. What she will remember most about the program, in addition to the knowledge gained, was its transformative effect.
"On my last day at Wharton, after saying farewell to the amazing faculty and staff at the graduation ceremony, I walked back to the hotel with a heavy heart," Shaheen says. "I was carrying my Wharton certificate, four heavy binders for each week of class, a couple of amazing books, a treasure of friendships, and a life-time experience. I looked back at the statue of Benjamin Franklin smiling at me, and at that moment, I knew my life would never be the same."
Raghda Shaheen: Bridging Two Worlds -- America and The Middle East
Published: June 23, 2009 in Knowledge@Wharton
Raghda Shaheen, who works for the Dubai International Finance Centre, recently completed a four-week business and legal fellowship program at Wharton and the University of Pennsylvania law school. The program, funded by the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and supported by America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST), teaches management, business and legal skills to women from the Middle East and North Africa. This year, 22 women from 11 countries attended the program. Shaheen will spend the next three months working at the Chicago Chamber of Commerce before returning to the UAE. She spoke with Knowledge@Wharton about her experiences in Gaza City, Canada, the U.S. and the Middle East.
An edited transcript of the conversation follows.
Knowledge@Wharton: Raghda, thanks for joining us.
Shaheen: Thank you for having me.
Knowledge@Wharton: Can you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself? Where you were born, educated and where you have worked so far?
Shaheen: Sure. I am an Arabic girl, born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents. So I am Palestinian. I lived in Kuwait for seven years and then moved to Palestine. I grew up in Gaza City, and moved to Toronto, Canada, in 2001. I received a bachelor's degree in engineering. I worked there for a couple of years and then moved to Dubai in 2008 and that's where I live right now.
Knowledge@Wharton: What are you doing there?
Shaheen: I'm a business and process consultant at Dubai International Financial Centre.
Knowledge@Wharton: Why did you decide to come to the program at Wharton and Penn Law?
Shaheen: I always find exchange programs are fascinating because it's my opportunity to break some stereotypes. I've been in similar programs before and I really enjoyed the experience. So I thought that I would use the opportunity to come again to the States and do more work on breaking stereotypes.
We Suggest...
Jeremy Siegel on the Market: Rough Going for Now, but Stocks Still a Good Bet
Knowledge@Wharton: What kinds of stereotypes are you talking about?
Shaheen: On both sides. I'm talking about the stereotypes of both Americans and Arabs [regarding] business behaviors, the people, the culture ...
Knowledge@Wharton: So what's an example on your side?
Shaheen: I find a lot of stereotypes about Arab women that I would like to break and about Arabs in general here in the States, because [most people] receive their [impressions] from the media. We all know that the media can be biased at certain times and does not reflect the correct image of the culture. So I came here to experience the American culture by myself through my [own] eyes, not through someone else's eyes. And I try to transfer that to the Americans myself.
Knowledge@Wharton: So what would you think is a typical American image of an Arab woman and how is that image right or wrong?
Shaheen: They still have the image that Arab women may not be educated, that they're suppressed, that they can't work, they don't speak, they are not cosmopolitan. So I try with my fellows here to break that stereotype. We tell them that Arabs in general, not just women, usually speak two languages at a minimum. We speak English as a second language in my country. There are other places in the Middle East, such as Lebanon and Syria, that speak French as a second language. The exposure to the West is very high in the Middle East, probably because of the political situation and the geographical location of that area. So we already know about other countries and civilizations out there in the world.
Knowledge@Wharton: Is it unusual for Arab women who are educated and have work experience like you to come to the States and take courses here and bring that [knowledge] back to their home countries?
Shaheen: I would say it depends. It depends on the family and it depends on the occasion. My aunt 30 years ago left to receive her education in medicine in Germany. But that doesn't mean that it's okay for most of the families. It depends on the family level of education and the country, the culture and the tradition. The Arab world is 14 countries and it's diverse. I think this is the beauty of it, that it's diverse. You would find all the cultures there.
Knowledge@Wharton: In Gaza City, would you consider yourself one of the more educated, more experienced women in terms of business background and career?
Shaheen: I wouldn't say the most educated because ... the education level in Gaza is very high. But I would say I'm one of the luckiest to have this exposure to opportunities out there in the world, because of the unfortunate political situation. Some of the people in Gaza are lucky to be alive.... So yes, I am blessed with opportunities. But the education [level] is very high in Gaza. I can talk about my personal experience. I was a senior in high school when the [uprising] started and the war. The political situation deteriorated in Gaza in 2001. That did not stop me from reaching my school, which was 45 minutes away. So I believe people living there definitely have a strong soul and are intent on [providing] education for their kids.
Knowledge@Wharton: Is this your first trip to the United States?
Shaheen: No.
Knowledge@Wharton: When were you here before?
Shaheen: I've been here a couple of times before. I have a sister here who lives in Boston and is chief of radiology at Harvard Medical School. And I've visited Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey during my previous job through Siemens Canada. So I received some training courses here.
Knowledge@Wharton: You are now taking both business and law courses? Is that correct?
Shaheen: Yes. We have taken a couple of law classes.
Knowledge@Wharton: What is the one thing that you've learned in your business courses that you feel has been especially valuable?
Shaheen: That's an excellent question. I am an engineer by education. I haven't had a strong exposure to finance and accounting. My job is consulting. I always face balance sheets and "no, we can't" answers from the finance department. But now I understand what they're going through because I've attended an excellent accounting class. It was a fantastic experience. It was taught in an unusual way. I think it's a new [approach] even at Wharton and they were testing it on us. I'm telling you it's fantastic. So my favorite class so far has been the accounting class.
Knowledge@Wharton: Are there certain key subject areas or topic areas that professional business women in the Middle East feel they might need more exposure to on an international basis than they now have?
Shaheen: I don't think it is Arab women only.... We [took] a course [aimed at] women [in general] in the workplace -- the issues we face as women in our workplace and how we behave when we face challenges. I found this course very interesting. It would be excellent if we could promote it for women in general, not just for women in the Middle East.
Knowledge@Wharton: How can you relate that course to your personal experience in the workplace as a woman?
Shaheen: It was [about] being proud to be a woman and not surrendering or giving up because you're a woman. You don't need to work harder than your colleagues just to prove a point ... to prove that you're capable and qualified. I think that's a fantastic observation.
Knowledge@Wharton: But I've heard from some Arab women that, in fact, they do need to work harder. They need to work two or three times harder.
Shaheen: Again, I don't think it's just an Arab woman's challenge. It's women around the globe.... I worked in Canada, as I said, and I worked in the Middle East. In both cases regarding the executive managers I've seen who are females, yes, that observation was true about them. They were trying to prove that they were qualified, capable and stronger than their peers so they had to work harder.
Knowledge@Wharton: In your business experience in the Middle East, have you ever personally felt discriminated against because you're a woman?
Shaheen: Not at all, actually. I did face that fear, to be honest with you, because of the stereotype. I lived in Toronto for seven years so I wasn't sure how the work environment would be in the Middle East. But I can quote for you the hospitality COO in my company, who is German. She said to me: "Raghda, as a German woman I face less racism and sexism in the Middle East than I ever faced anywhere else." So it's a very supportive environment. We have many executive women. I'm living, as I mentioned, in Dubai right now. There is a foundation for leadership for women supported by the ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid. To be honest, I'm very happy to be there to receive some of the support. I myself have been on an exchange program that supports me as a woman.
Knowledge@Wharton: You mentioned that you've had a lot of contact with other women in the program here. Do you feel that part of the value of this program is to help you set up a network of women you will keep in touch with when you leave? And do you have that kind of opportunity in Dubai to set up these networks? Is that something that can happen there easily?
Shaheen: I've been always interested in such networks with women. Since getting my undergraduate degree in Canada, I have been part of a Women in Engineering program because I've always been a minority. Here, yes, I think that's the main purpose of the program. But the network should not only be for women.... We should expand it because the world is not only women out there. We should extend our hand to help men also.... We should focus on the development of relationships between females and males in the workplace so that both can work together and prosper together.
Knowledge@Wharton: I have never been to Dubai. But I get the sense that you're one of a rare breed of women in that area. You are very educated, very articulate. You've had work experiences in Canada, in the U.S. You're going to be working in Chicago when you leave. But in Dubai you are definitely a minority in terms of the women there, correct?
Shaheen: It's not true, but thank you for the compliment. There are a lot of cosmopolitan girls there and ladies. Actually, I'm the fourth one in this program from my company and the number is increasing. As I mentioned earlier, I was in an exchange program similar to this but it was both males and females with American businessmen and women. The observation was the same. Again, you would be surprised that we have females who are like those you mentioned -- cosmopolitan, speaking good English, having exposure to the world. I think the world is getting smaller. Dubai is where everything is happening nowadays.
Knowledge@Wharton: Right, it is very cosmopolitan itself.
Shaheen: It is a very cosmopolitan city. Again, as I mentioned, exposure to [different] cultures is very high in the Middle East. It's close to Europe. It's close to China, India, the Far East. I think the geographical location really helps.
Knowledge@Wharton: But is it generational? How old are you?
Shaheen: I'm 25.
Knowledge@Wharton: Do you feel that women in your generation are having a very different experience than women who are 45 or 50?
Shaheen: I [believe that's true] everywhere in the world. Even here, the current generation is different than their parents. Yes, we're developing with the media, and with the technology. We watch "American Idol." We watch your TV shows. We watch "Oprah," "Dr. Phil"...
Knowledge@Wharton: Is that a good thing?
Shaheen: I don't know about that. [We watch] "Sex in the City." So I guess it's just that the exposure is getting higher and higher.... [Also], it's because the media to a certain degree exposes you to the American streets, environments and buildings. So when we went to New York, most of us felt that we had there before. We saw the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. You feel that you've been on the streets of New York even if you've never been there because you always see it on TV. So that's what increasing the exposure; it's the technology. Believe it or not, the political problems are playing a good part here because we have to learn about what's happening out there in the world. Most of the political situation in the Middle East is highly related to the U.S. So that's why we're highly exposed and are learning a lot about you.
Knowledge@Wharton: What about Gaza City, where you went to high school? Is that as sophisticated and developed as Dubai in terms of opportunities for women?
Shaheen: Opportunities for women in Gaza I would say are as bad as the opportunities for men. It's not because of [gender].... Unfortunately, the political situation is really bad down there. As I mentioned earlier, they don't have the opportunity to [be] exposed [to other places] or to travel as much. But before the political situation deteriorated in 2001 was when I first started my exchange program. When I was 16, I was in a Norwegian exchange program, so we had the Norwegian students come into Gaza and we traveled to Oslo. So when the political situation was stable, yes, Gaza was doing well. I don't think it's fair to compare it to Dubai because Dubai is, relatively speaking, stable. It's safe. There is no war there. The political situation is stable. Whereas for Gaza it is not, but hopefully it will be one day.
Knowledge@Wharton: You've probably come from a very supportive family as well. Is that correct? Your parents have been supportive so you don't face any disapproval about what you're doing or where you're going or anything like that?
Shaheen: Of course. All the way.
Knowledge@Wharton: Do you live alone in Dubai?
Shaheen: No, I live with them. Actually, they moved to come and live with me. They were supporting me all the way. When I was in Canada, my mom and my dad would take turns to come and visit me. They were living in Gaza so sometimes they would be back and forth between Gaza and Toronto. And then when I made the decision to move to Dubai, we thought that it was time for us to be together. So that's why we moved all of us to Dubai.
Knowledge@Wharton: Is it fairly common for young professionals to live with their parents?
Shaheen: Yes. I guess the Arabic culture is like most of the Eastern cultures. They are very much family oriented. It's not very common for girls to move out of their family houses, even guys, until they get married. That's just how the culture is.
Knowledge@Wharton: So what are your plans now for the next few years? You're going to Chicago?
Shaheen: For three months.
Knowledge@Wharton: What will you be doing there?
Shaheen: I heard that I'll be working in green initiatives, which I'm very excited about because that's what my graduation project here at Wharton is about. And I'll be working on the submission for the Olympics 2016.
Knowledge@Wharton: That's terrific.
Shaheen: How exciting is that? I'm very excited because I think I'll be having higher exposure to this green technology, which is booming as well in the Middle East, especially in Dubai. And afterwards, I always had the plan that I wanted to go for my MBA. That's why I was very excited about this opportunity [at] Wharton, which was always my dream school.... Now it's time for me to start working on my GMAT.
Knowledge@Wharton: So you plan to apply to graduate school?
Shaheen: Correct.
Knowledge@Wharton: Will that be after you complete your work in Chicago?
Shaheen: Yes. I'm planning to enjoy the experience to the maximum and not study while I'm there.
Knowledge@Wharton: What would you like to do after business school?
Shaheen: In the long term, I would like to work in the government and get some experience in the public administration sector.
Knowledge@Wharton: Where?
Shaheen: In Dubai.... Then afterwards I would like to teach and become a professor.
Knowledge@Wharton: An engineering professor? A business professor?
Shaheen: I haven't worked much with [engineering]. I would like to teach in a business school. I would like to teach an MBA class.
Knowledge@Wharton: So, who knows? We could see you back here sometime.... I have one final question. There's a story in The Wall Street Journal today talking about the steep declines in countries around the world, specifically Mexico, Germany and Japan, and how they are getting the brunt of this financial collapse. Are you feeling the impact of the financial crisis at all in Dubai?
Shaheen: I cannot deny that this financial crisis has hit the whole world hard. Dubai is a very global city, a cosmopolitan city. And it's very highly related to the [rest of] the world economy. So, yes, it does affect investments in Dubai. However, the government is being very [supportive]. About a month ago, the government of Abu Dhabi issued bonds for 30 billion Dirham, which is almost $10 billion, to support the economy in the UAE. And since then, the situation – I've been here a month so far and I'm always in touch with my colleagues to understand the situation and I read the news -- is starting to recover. So some companies are starting to hire again. Some [employees] are receiving their bonuses and their [annual] appraisals. So, yes, I think we've been affected. But also I think we're having a stronger recovery there because the government has the funds to support it.
Knowledge@Wharton: Thank you for joining us and good luck in Chicago.
Shaheen: Thank you. It was my pleasure.
Raghda Shaheen, who works for the Dubai International Finance Centre, recently completed a four-week business and legal fellowship program at Wharton and the University of Pennsylvania law school. The program, funded by the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and supported by America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST), teaches management, business and legal skills to women from the Middle East and North Africa. This year, 22 women from 11 countries attended the program. Shaheen will spend the next three months working at the Chicago Chamber of Commerce before returning to the UAE. She spoke with Knowledge@Wharton about her experiences in Gaza City, Canada, the U.S. and the Middle East.
An edited transcript of the conversation follows.
Knowledge@Wharton: Raghda, thanks for joining us.
Shaheen: Thank you for having me.
Knowledge@Wharton: Can you start off by telling us a little bit about yourself? Where you were born, educated and where you have worked so far?
Shaheen: Sure. I am an Arabic girl, born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents. So I am Palestinian. I lived in Kuwait for seven years and then moved to Palestine. I grew up in Gaza City, and moved to Toronto, Canada, in 2001. I received a bachelor's degree in engineering. I worked there for a couple of years and then moved to Dubai in 2008 and that's where I live right now.
Knowledge@Wharton: What are you doing there?
Shaheen: I'm a business and process consultant at Dubai International Financial Centre.
Knowledge@Wharton: Why did you decide to come to the program at Wharton and Penn Law?
Shaheen: I always find exchange programs are fascinating because it's my opportunity to break some stereotypes. I've been in similar programs before and I really enjoyed the experience. So I thought that I would use the opportunity to come again to the States and do more work on breaking stereotypes.
We Suggest...
Jeremy Siegel on the Market: Rough Going for Now, but Stocks Still a Good Bet
Knowledge@Wharton: What kinds of stereotypes are you talking about?
Shaheen: On both sides. I'm talking about the stereotypes of both Americans and Arabs [regarding] business behaviors, the people, the culture ...
Knowledge@Wharton: So what's an example on your side?
Shaheen: I find a lot of stereotypes about Arab women that I would like to break and about Arabs in general here in the States, because [most people] receive their [impressions] from the media. We all know that the media can be biased at certain times and does not reflect the correct image of the culture. So I came here to experience the American culture by myself through my [own] eyes, not through someone else's eyes. And I try to transfer that to the Americans myself.
Knowledge@Wharton: So what would you think is a typical American image of an Arab woman and how is that image right or wrong?
Shaheen: They still have the image that Arab women may not be educated, that they're suppressed, that they can't work, they don't speak, they are not cosmopolitan. So I try with my fellows here to break that stereotype. We tell them that Arabs in general, not just women, usually speak two languages at a minimum. We speak English as a second language in my country. There are other places in the Middle East, such as Lebanon and Syria, that speak French as a second language. The exposure to the West is very high in the Middle East, probably because of the political situation and the geographical location of that area. So we already know about other countries and civilizations out there in the world.
Knowledge@Wharton: Is it unusual for Arab women who are educated and have work experience like you to come to the States and take courses here and bring that [knowledge] back to their home countries?
Shaheen: I would say it depends. It depends on the family and it depends on the occasion. My aunt 30 years ago left to receive her education in medicine in Germany. But that doesn't mean that it's okay for most of the families. It depends on the family level of education and the country, the culture and the tradition. The Arab world is 14 countries and it's diverse. I think this is the beauty of it, that it's diverse. You would find all the cultures there.
Knowledge@Wharton: In Gaza City, would you consider yourself one of the more educated, more experienced women in terms of business background and career?
Shaheen: I wouldn't say the most educated because ... the education level in Gaza is very high. But I would say I'm one of the luckiest to have this exposure to opportunities out there in the world, because of the unfortunate political situation. Some of the people in Gaza are lucky to be alive.... So yes, I am blessed with opportunities. But the education [level] is very high in Gaza. I can talk about my personal experience. I was a senior in high school when the [uprising] started and the war. The political situation deteriorated in Gaza in 2001. That did not stop me from reaching my school, which was 45 minutes away. So I believe people living there definitely have a strong soul and are intent on [providing] education for their kids.
Knowledge@Wharton: Is this your first trip to the United States?
Shaheen: No.
Knowledge@Wharton: When were you here before?
Shaheen: I've been here a couple of times before. I have a sister here who lives in Boston and is chief of radiology at Harvard Medical School. And I've visited Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey during my previous job through Siemens Canada. So I received some training courses here.
Knowledge@Wharton: You are now taking both business and law courses? Is that correct?
Shaheen: Yes. We have taken a couple of law classes.
Knowledge@Wharton: What is the one thing that you've learned in your business courses that you feel has been especially valuable?
Shaheen: That's an excellent question. I am an engineer by education. I haven't had a strong exposure to finance and accounting. My job is consulting. I always face balance sheets and "no, we can't" answers from the finance department. But now I understand what they're going through because I've attended an excellent accounting class. It was a fantastic experience. It was taught in an unusual way. I think it's a new [approach] even at Wharton and they were testing it on us. I'm telling you it's fantastic. So my favorite class so far has been the accounting class.
Knowledge@Wharton: Are there certain key subject areas or topic areas that professional business women in the Middle East feel they might need more exposure to on an international basis than they now have?
Shaheen: I don't think it is Arab women only.... We [took] a course [aimed at] women [in general] in the workplace -- the issues we face as women in our workplace and how we behave when we face challenges. I found this course very interesting. It would be excellent if we could promote it for women in general, not just for women in the Middle East.
Knowledge@Wharton: How can you relate that course to your personal experience in the workplace as a woman?
Shaheen: It was [about] being proud to be a woman and not surrendering or giving up because you're a woman. You don't need to work harder than your colleagues just to prove a point ... to prove that you're capable and qualified. I think that's a fantastic observation.
Knowledge@Wharton: But I've heard from some Arab women that, in fact, they do need to work harder. They need to work two or three times harder.
Shaheen: Again, I don't think it's just an Arab woman's challenge. It's women around the globe.... I worked in Canada, as I said, and I worked in the Middle East. In both cases regarding the executive managers I've seen who are females, yes, that observation was true about them. They were trying to prove that they were qualified, capable and stronger than their peers so they had to work harder.
Knowledge@Wharton: In your business experience in the Middle East, have you ever personally felt discriminated against because you're a woman?
Shaheen: Not at all, actually. I did face that fear, to be honest with you, because of the stereotype. I lived in Toronto for seven years so I wasn't sure how the work environment would be in the Middle East. But I can quote for you the hospitality COO in my company, who is German. She said to me: "Raghda, as a German woman I face less racism and sexism in the Middle East than I ever faced anywhere else." So it's a very supportive environment. We have many executive women. I'm living, as I mentioned, in Dubai right now. There is a foundation for leadership for women supported by the ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid. To be honest, I'm very happy to be there to receive some of the support. I myself have been on an exchange program that supports me as a woman.
Knowledge@Wharton: You mentioned that you've had a lot of contact with other women in the program here. Do you feel that part of the value of this program is to help you set up a network of women you will keep in touch with when you leave? And do you have that kind of opportunity in Dubai to set up these networks? Is that something that can happen there easily?
Shaheen: I've been always interested in such networks with women. Since getting my undergraduate degree in Canada, I have been part of a Women in Engineering program because I've always been a minority. Here, yes, I think that's the main purpose of the program. But the network should not only be for women.... We should expand it because the world is not only women out there. We should extend our hand to help men also.... We should focus on the development of relationships between females and males in the workplace so that both can work together and prosper together.
Knowledge@Wharton: I have never been to Dubai. But I get the sense that you're one of a rare breed of women in that area. You are very educated, very articulate. You've had work experiences in Canada, in the U.S. You're going to be working in Chicago when you leave. But in Dubai you are definitely a minority in terms of the women there, correct?
Shaheen: It's not true, but thank you for the compliment. There are a lot of cosmopolitan girls there and ladies. Actually, I'm the fourth one in this program from my company and the number is increasing. As I mentioned earlier, I was in an exchange program similar to this but it was both males and females with American businessmen and women. The observation was the same. Again, you would be surprised that we have females who are like those you mentioned -- cosmopolitan, speaking good English, having exposure to the world. I think the world is getting smaller. Dubai is where everything is happening nowadays.
Knowledge@Wharton: Right, it is very cosmopolitan itself.
Shaheen: It is a very cosmopolitan city. Again, as I mentioned, exposure to [different] cultures is very high in the Middle East. It's close to Europe. It's close to China, India, the Far East. I think the geographical location really helps.
Knowledge@Wharton: But is it generational? How old are you?
Shaheen: I'm 25.
Knowledge@Wharton: Do you feel that women in your generation are having a very different experience than women who are 45 or 50?
Shaheen: I [believe that's true] everywhere in the world. Even here, the current generation is different than their parents. Yes, we're developing with the media, and with the technology. We watch "American Idol." We watch your TV shows. We watch "Oprah," "Dr. Phil"...
Knowledge@Wharton: Is that a good thing?
Shaheen: I don't know about that. [We watch] "Sex in the City." So I guess it's just that the exposure is getting higher and higher.... [Also], it's because the media to a certain degree exposes you to the American streets, environments and buildings. So when we went to New York, most of us felt that we had there before. We saw the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. You feel that you've been on the streets of New York even if you've never been there because you always see it on TV. So that's what increasing the exposure; it's the technology. Believe it or not, the political problems are playing a good part here because we have to learn about what's happening out there in the world. Most of the political situation in the Middle East is highly related to the U.S. So that's why we're highly exposed and are learning a lot about you.
Knowledge@Wharton: What about Gaza City, where you went to high school? Is that as sophisticated and developed as Dubai in terms of opportunities for women?
Shaheen: Opportunities for women in Gaza I would say are as bad as the opportunities for men. It's not because of [gender].... Unfortunately, the political situation is really bad down there. As I mentioned earlier, they don't have the opportunity to [be] exposed [to other places] or to travel as much. But before the political situation deteriorated in 2001 was when I first started my exchange program. When I was 16, I was in a Norwegian exchange program, so we had the Norwegian students come into Gaza and we traveled to Oslo. So when the political situation was stable, yes, Gaza was doing well. I don't think it's fair to compare it to Dubai because Dubai is, relatively speaking, stable. It's safe. There is no war there. The political situation is stable. Whereas for Gaza it is not, but hopefully it will be one day.
Knowledge@Wharton: You've probably come from a very supportive family as well. Is that correct? Your parents have been supportive so you don't face any disapproval about what you're doing or where you're going or anything like that?
Shaheen: Of course. All the way.
Knowledge@Wharton: Do you live alone in Dubai?
Shaheen: No, I live with them. Actually, they moved to come and live with me. They were supporting me all the way. When I was in Canada, my mom and my dad would take turns to come and visit me. They were living in Gaza so sometimes they would be back and forth between Gaza and Toronto. And then when I made the decision to move to Dubai, we thought that it was time for us to be together. So that's why we moved all of us to Dubai.
Knowledge@Wharton: Is it fairly common for young professionals to live with their parents?
Shaheen: Yes. I guess the Arabic culture is like most of the Eastern cultures. They are very much family oriented. It's not very common for girls to move out of their family houses, even guys, until they get married. That's just how the culture is.
Knowledge@Wharton: So what are your plans now for the next few years? You're going to Chicago?
Shaheen: For three months.
Knowledge@Wharton: What will you be doing there?
Shaheen: I heard that I'll be working in green initiatives, which I'm very excited about because that's what my graduation project here at Wharton is about. And I'll be working on the submission for the Olympics 2016.
Knowledge@Wharton: That's terrific.
Shaheen: How exciting is that? I'm very excited because I think I'll be having higher exposure to this green technology, which is booming as well in the Middle East, especially in Dubai. And afterwards, I always had the plan that I wanted to go for my MBA. That's why I was very excited about this opportunity [at] Wharton, which was always my dream school.... Now it's time for me to start working on my GMAT.
Knowledge@Wharton: So you plan to apply to graduate school?
Shaheen: Correct.
Knowledge@Wharton: Will that be after you complete your work in Chicago?
Shaheen: Yes. I'm planning to enjoy the experience to the maximum and not study while I'm there.
Knowledge@Wharton: What would you like to do after business school?
Shaheen: In the long term, I would like to work in the government and get some experience in the public administration sector.
Knowledge@Wharton: Where?
Shaheen: In Dubai.... Then afterwards I would like to teach and become a professor.
Knowledge@Wharton: An engineering professor? A business professor?
Shaheen: I haven't worked much with [engineering]. I would like to teach in a business school. I would like to teach an MBA class.
Knowledge@Wharton: So, who knows? We could see you back here sometime.... I have one final question. There's a story in The Wall Street Journal today talking about the steep declines in countries around the world, specifically Mexico, Germany and Japan, and how they are getting the brunt of this financial collapse. Are you feeling the impact of the financial crisis at all in Dubai?
Shaheen: I cannot deny that this financial crisis has hit the whole world hard. Dubai is a very global city, a cosmopolitan city. And it's very highly related to the [rest of] the world economy. So, yes, it does affect investments in Dubai. However, the government is being very [supportive]. About a month ago, the government of Abu Dhabi issued bonds for 30 billion Dirham, which is almost $10 billion, to support the economy in the UAE. And since then, the situation – I've been here a month so far and I'm always in touch with my colleagues to understand the situation and I read the news -- is starting to recover. So some companies are starting to hire again. Some [employees] are receiving their bonuses and their [annual] appraisals. So, yes, I think we've been affected. But also I think we're having a stronger recovery there because the government has the funds to support it.
Knowledge@Wharton: Thank you for joining us and good luck in Chicago.
Shaheen: Thank you. It was my pleasure.
Sheikha Fatima sponsor of UAE women's achievments in use of technology
2009-06-24 13:25:28
WAM ABU DHABI, June 24th, 2009: UAE women have made remarkable achievements employing technology in service of the community, thanks to the efforts and generous support of H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak President of the UAE Women's General Union (WGU) The GWU was among the first UAE institutions to use the latest tehnology to empower women, further advance their status and enable them take part in the process of building the nation.
Under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima, GWU, in November 2006, launched Women in Technology programme which serves as a perfect example of a public private partnership program designed to empower women through e-literacy.
Women in Technology is a regional public-private partnership program funded by the U.S. Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative --or MEPI--and works in partnership with the General Women's Union and its several partners throughout the Emirates.
Considered as one of the most successful women's training programs in the region, Women in Technology for the Middle East and North Africa seeks to empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform through helping women acquire skills in business planning and entrepreneurship and learn a wide-range of computer programs through Microsoft's Unlimited Potential training.
Sheikha Fatima has extended strong support to Women in Technology participants to help them polish their communication, leadership and business writing skills. The participants join a network through which they connect, engage in community service activities and share resources to help them to advance in their careers or enter the job market.
On remarks last April in Abu Dhabi, U.S Ambassaor Richard G. Olson, Jr. saluted Sheikha Fatima her patronage and unwavering support for this program, and her dedication to empowering women throughout the UAE, as well as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi for his support for women's issues. Olson also commended the tremendous work and accomplishments of the Women in Technology Program in the United Arab Emirates. The efforts of the General Women's Union, the Institute of International Education, an American not for profit institution, and Microsoft were also also highlighted by Ambassador Olsen.
The United Arab Emirates, he said, continues to show its dedication to improving the lives of its people. Over the past 37 years, the Emirates' investment in improving education and effectively eliminating illiteracy, improving and providing health care to its citizens, and adapting to rapid change while also maintaining its traditions and cultural values, should be commended.
Sheikha Fatima spared no efforts to supoport the use of technology as a tool to enhance women's lives, ans this represents just one example of the cross-cultural work the Emirates is doing to show its commitment to being a responsible global citizen and creating a better future for its people.
GWU is actively supporting MEPI, a unique inititaive in that it focuses on partnerships to build bridges between the United States and the Middle East through creative projects working to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform.
MEPI projects reach out directly to Non Governmental Organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and other local groups, as well as governments, in providing direct support to the people of the region in addressing locally identified priorities and opportunities.
The Women in Technology project in the UAE is a perfect example of a public private partnership program designed to empower women - in this case, through "e-literacy." Women acquire skills in Business Planning and Entrepreneurship and learn a wide-range of computer programs through Microsoft's Unlimited Potential training. Women in Technology participants also polish their communication, leadership and business writing skills. The participants join a network through which they connect, engage in community service activities and share resources to help them to advance in their careers or enter the job market.
The program also provides tools and intensive instruction and coaching to local partner organizations, such as the Western Region Development Council here in the UAE. This enables them to operate their training centers on a long-term basis. The program provides support for a cost-recovery business model and reduces partners' dependence on external sources of funding.
This is very powerful. And it ensures that partner organizations have the knowledge and tools to expand their reach and ability to serve women in their communities long into the future, in other words, sustainability.
The Women in Technology program has been implemented in collaboration with fifty (50) local partner organizations across nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa. To date, the program has trained more than 6,000 women in the region. The program is managed by the Institute of International Education, a not-for-profit organization based in the United States. The Institute has been developing and administering high quality international education, training and leadership programs worldwide since 1919.
In the private sector, Microsoft Corporation has been a generous supporter and partner of Women in Technology throughout the region. Microsoft has provided more than $1 million in cash, equipment and in-kind contributions to the program since 2005. In 2008, Microsoft recognized Women in Technology with the "Outstanding Partnership Award" for its innovative partnership model between local and international organizations and the private sector.
Microsoft continues to serve as a model in its commitment to empower women by providing knowledge and skills through its high-quality, globally-recognized training. In addition to donating curricula packages to all fifty partner organizations in the region, Microsoft has funded the preparation of nearly 250 trainers to deliver its Unlimited Potential curriculum. Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a global initiative designed to narrow the technology skills gap and aid global workforce development. Without Microsoft's ongoing partnership and support to Women in Technology throughout the Middle East and North Africa, this program would not be possible.
GWU is a lead local partner of MEPI since the program was launched in the UAE in 2006. It has been a pioneer in women's development in the UAE under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
The General Women's Union's commitment to the partnership has allowed Women in Technology to gain recognition and reach women well beyond Abu Dhabi. Due to this strong foundation, Women in Technology was able last year to enter into a formal partnership with the Western Region Development Council, which has provided the extensive financial and logistical support needed to open new training centers for women in the Western Region.
WAM/MMYS
WAM ABU DHABI, June 24th, 2009: UAE women have made remarkable achievements employing technology in service of the community, thanks to the efforts and generous support of H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak President of the UAE Women's General Union (WGU) The GWU was among the first UAE institutions to use the latest tehnology to empower women, further advance their status and enable them take part in the process of building the nation.
Under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima, GWU, in November 2006, launched Women in Technology programme which serves as a perfect example of a public private partnership program designed to empower women through e-literacy.
Women in Technology is a regional public-private partnership program funded by the U.S. Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative --or MEPI--and works in partnership with the General Women's Union and its several partners throughout the Emirates.
Considered as one of the most successful women's training programs in the region, Women in Technology for the Middle East and North Africa seeks to empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform through helping women acquire skills in business planning and entrepreneurship and learn a wide-range of computer programs through Microsoft's Unlimited Potential training.
Sheikha Fatima has extended strong support to Women in Technology participants to help them polish their communication, leadership and business writing skills. The participants join a network through which they connect, engage in community service activities and share resources to help them to advance in their careers or enter the job market.
On remarks last April in Abu Dhabi, U.S Ambassaor Richard G. Olson, Jr. saluted Sheikha Fatima her patronage and unwavering support for this program, and her dedication to empowering women throughout the UAE, as well as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi for his support for women's issues. Olson also commended the tremendous work and accomplishments of the Women in Technology Program in the United Arab Emirates. The efforts of the General Women's Union, the Institute of International Education, an American not for profit institution, and Microsoft were also also highlighted by Ambassador Olsen.
The United Arab Emirates, he said, continues to show its dedication to improving the lives of its people. Over the past 37 years, the Emirates' investment in improving education and effectively eliminating illiteracy, improving and providing health care to its citizens, and adapting to rapid change while also maintaining its traditions and cultural values, should be commended.
Sheikha Fatima spared no efforts to supoport the use of technology as a tool to enhance women's lives, ans this represents just one example of the cross-cultural work the Emirates is doing to show its commitment to being a responsible global citizen and creating a better future for its people.
GWU is actively supporting MEPI, a unique inititaive in that it focuses on partnerships to build bridges between the United States and the Middle East through creative projects working to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform.
MEPI projects reach out directly to Non Governmental Organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and other local groups, as well as governments, in providing direct support to the people of the region in addressing locally identified priorities and opportunities.
The Women in Technology project in the UAE is a perfect example of a public private partnership program designed to empower women - in this case, through "e-literacy." Women acquire skills in Business Planning and Entrepreneurship and learn a wide-range of computer programs through Microsoft's Unlimited Potential training. Women in Technology participants also polish their communication, leadership and business writing skills. The participants join a network through which they connect, engage in community service activities and share resources to help them to advance in their careers or enter the job market.
The program also provides tools and intensive instruction and coaching to local partner organizations, such as the Western Region Development Council here in the UAE. This enables them to operate their training centers on a long-term basis. The program provides support for a cost-recovery business model and reduces partners' dependence on external sources of funding.
This is very powerful. And it ensures that partner organizations have the knowledge and tools to expand their reach and ability to serve women in their communities long into the future, in other words, sustainability.
The Women in Technology program has been implemented in collaboration with fifty (50) local partner organizations across nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa. To date, the program has trained more than 6,000 women in the region. The program is managed by the Institute of International Education, a not-for-profit organization based in the United States. The Institute has been developing and administering high quality international education, training and leadership programs worldwide since 1919.
In the private sector, Microsoft Corporation has been a generous supporter and partner of Women in Technology throughout the region. Microsoft has provided more than $1 million in cash, equipment and in-kind contributions to the program since 2005. In 2008, Microsoft recognized Women in Technology with the "Outstanding Partnership Award" for its innovative partnership model between local and international organizations and the private sector.
Microsoft continues to serve as a model in its commitment to empower women by providing knowledge and skills through its high-quality, globally-recognized training. In addition to donating curricula packages to all fifty partner organizations in the region, Microsoft has funded the preparation of nearly 250 trainers to deliver its Unlimited Potential curriculum. Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a global initiative designed to narrow the technology skills gap and aid global workforce development. Without Microsoft's ongoing partnership and support to Women in Technology throughout the Middle East and North Africa, this program would not be possible.
GWU is a lead local partner of MEPI since the program was launched in the UAE in 2006. It has been a pioneer in women's development in the UAE under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
The General Women's Union's commitment to the partnership has allowed Women in Technology to gain recognition and reach women well beyond Abu Dhabi. Due to this strong foundation, Women in Technology was able last year to enter into a formal partnership with the Western Region Development Council, which has provided the extensive financial and logistical support needed to open new training centers for women in the Western Region.
WAM/MMYS
Monday, June 22, 2009
Qatar: Businesswomen forum to host leadership meet
The Qatar Businesswomen Forum (QBWF) will host the ‘semi-annual leadership meeting’ of MENA Businesswomen’s Network (MENA BWN) in Doha from June 16 to 18.
The network is a partnership of local businesswomen’s organisations across the Middle East and North Africa, Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the US Department of State.
The goal of the partnership is to build a regional network of businesswomen to expand the number of women in business, to increase the value of their businesses, to advance the role of women in society, and to promote a regional culture of women’s entrepreneurship.
Aisha Alfardan, QBWF vice -chairperson, said, “We are pleased to host the leadership meeting in Qatar. It will be an excellent opportunity for the new members to learn more about the network, and meet in person with businesswomen from other countries to share the expertise and exchange information.”
The network is a partnership of local businesswomen’s organisations across the Middle East and North Africa, Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the US Department of State.
The goal of the partnership is to build a regional network of businesswomen to expand the number of women in business, to increase the value of their businesses, to advance the role of women in society, and to promote a regional culture of women’s entrepreneurship.
Aisha Alfardan, QBWF vice -chairperson, said, “We are pleased to host the leadership meeting in Qatar. It will be an excellent opportunity for the new members to learn more about the network, and meet in person with businesswomen from other countries to share the expertise and exchange information.”
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Yemen: Promoting Yemeni Women’s Political Participation through Media Tools
MEPI
Yemeni women have been successful in removing many legal obstacles to their political advancement. However, they still have a long way to go in terms of overcoming social barriers that pose a serious challenge to their integration in the public sphere. Moreover, gender stereotyping often undermines women’s capacity to lead by misrepresenting their genuine talents and aptitudes. In Yemen, the burden often lies on civic groups to collaborate and deliver information that breaks down cultural biases against women and eradicates discriminatory practices. One such group in Yemen, the Awam Development and Cultural Institution, a non-governmental not-for-profit organization, organized a media awareness campaign, supported by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) local grants program. The project used audio and audiovisual tools to alleviate misguided perceptions on women and encourage their representation in upcoming parliamentary elections.
“This project is for the sake of women in a society that believes in women as effective participants in political decision making”, Thoraya Dimaj, Executive Director of Awam, commented to local press. As part of the MEPI-funded project, Awam partnered with a local TV production company to produce a documentary film on Yemeni women’s achievements in various fields, and a comedy sketch portraying socio-cultural factors that block women’s political advancement. In addition, Awam invited Sanaa University students to participate in a contest to produce an original script for a 30-second public service announcement (PSA). The script delivered a message of awareness and urge for change and action to eliminate social inequality and raise women’s status in the political field. Out of 60 PSA scripts, eight were chosen to have the most compelling messages, out of which one was awarded to a female student for producing the greatest script.
“The importance of announcing the women’s political empowerment script winner is that it will encourage the delivery of a media awareness message that targets all sectors of society through various media tools”, commented Ms. Dimaj. She added that the winning script will be broadcast on local radio stations, and the other scripts will be edited and also broadcast. The documentary on women’s achievements is expected to be completed in May 2009.
Activities of this MEPI lcoal grant project were covered extensively in Yemeni local press including 14October, SabaNews, and Mareb Press.
Yemeni women have been successful in removing many legal obstacles to their political advancement. However, they still have a long way to go in terms of overcoming social barriers that pose a serious challenge to their integration in the public sphere. Moreover, gender stereotyping often undermines women’s capacity to lead by misrepresenting their genuine talents and aptitudes. In Yemen, the burden often lies on civic groups to collaborate and deliver information that breaks down cultural biases against women and eradicates discriminatory practices. One such group in Yemen, the Awam Development and Cultural Institution, a non-governmental not-for-profit organization, organized a media awareness campaign, supported by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) local grants program. The project used audio and audiovisual tools to alleviate misguided perceptions on women and encourage their representation in upcoming parliamentary elections.
“This project is for the sake of women in a society that believes in women as effective participants in political decision making”, Thoraya Dimaj, Executive Director of Awam, commented to local press. As part of the MEPI-funded project, Awam partnered with a local TV production company to produce a documentary film on Yemeni women’s achievements in various fields, and a comedy sketch portraying socio-cultural factors that block women’s political advancement. In addition, Awam invited Sanaa University students to participate in a contest to produce an original script for a 30-second public service announcement (PSA). The script delivered a message of awareness and urge for change and action to eliminate social inequality and raise women’s status in the political field. Out of 60 PSA scripts, eight were chosen to have the most compelling messages, out of which one was awarded to a female student for producing the greatest script.
“The importance of announcing the women’s political empowerment script winner is that it will encourage the delivery of a media awareness message that targets all sectors of society through various media tools”, commented Ms. Dimaj. She added that the winning script will be broadcast on local radio stations, and the other scripts will be edited and also broadcast. The documentary on women’s achievements is expected to be completed in May 2009.
Activities of this MEPI lcoal grant project were covered extensively in Yemeni local press including 14October, SabaNews, and Mareb Press.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Oman: Omani Women En Route to Economic Independence
MEPI
In Oman, small businesses are considered a critical factor for economic growth and recovery. Assisting women in attaining professional entrepreneurial skills to maximize small business potential is a driving force for many countries economic growth. Supported by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) local grants program, Dar Al Atta, a leading charitable organization in Oman, started a program to encourage small and medium business ownership for economically disadvantaged women from different regions in Oman. To improve and enhance the economic climate for women’s entrepreneurship, Dar Al Atta conducted training for 65 women from low income families throughout the country in January and February 2009. Participants learned how to launch a business, achieve professional success and climb the entrepreneurship ladder.
Further training sessions taught participants how to develop a business idea, organize a business program, estimate start-up funding, and develop a business plan, as well as information and communication technology and E-Commerce skills. The women also acquired leadership and management skills that will support them in their outreach to funding agencies in Oman and in their successful small business operations. Six key-note speakers from the Omani Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Manpower and a successful women entrepreneur communicated their experience and provided insights on utilizing tools for business progress. As part of the MEPI-sponsored project, a web portal is also being developed to provide business development resources, information on local incubators and government supported-programs, and a network of local entrepreneurs. The portal will serve as a medium for women business owners to share collective wisdom.
Through MEPI grantee Dar Al Atta’s efforts, Omani women will be energized to invest in themselves, boost their living standards, and realize their goals to be economically independent. Next project steps will include: offering further training for women in other regions, finalizing a small and medium business instructional toolkit, and launching the entrepreneurship web portal so that more women will be able to achieve professional success.
This MEPI local grant project was covered recently in Oman’s local press, including the Times of Oman and Al Osra.
In Oman, small businesses are considered a critical factor for economic growth and recovery. Assisting women in attaining professional entrepreneurial skills to maximize small business potential is a driving force for many countries economic growth. Supported by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) local grants program, Dar Al Atta, a leading charitable organization in Oman, started a program to encourage small and medium business ownership for economically disadvantaged women from different regions in Oman. To improve and enhance the economic climate for women’s entrepreneurship, Dar Al Atta conducted training for 65 women from low income families throughout the country in January and February 2009. Participants learned how to launch a business, achieve professional success and climb the entrepreneurship ladder.
Further training sessions taught participants how to develop a business idea, organize a business program, estimate start-up funding, and develop a business plan, as well as information and communication technology and E-Commerce skills. The women also acquired leadership and management skills that will support them in their outreach to funding agencies in Oman and in their successful small business operations. Six key-note speakers from the Omani Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Manpower and a successful women entrepreneur communicated their experience and provided insights on utilizing tools for business progress. As part of the MEPI-sponsored project, a web portal is also being developed to provide business development resources, information on local incubators and government supported-programs, and a network of local entrepreneurs. The portal will serve as a medium for women business owners to share collective wisdom.
Through MEPI grantee Dar Al Atta’s efforts, Omani women will be energized to invest in themselves, boost their living standards, and realize their goals to be economically independent. Next project steps will include: offering further training for women in other regions, finalizing a small and medium business instructional toolkit, and launching the entrepreneurship web portal so that more women will be able to achieve professional success.
This MEPI local grant project was covered recently in Oman’s local press, including the Times of Oman and Al Osra.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
UAE: UAE General Women’s Union Praises MEPI
With the presence of UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and representatives of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and foreign ambassadors, the UAE General Women Union (GWU) launched UNIFEM's Biennial Global Report, Progress
of the World's Women 2008/2009 last week. The report features new data and calls for
stronger accountability systems to move from commitments on women's rights. During the launch ceremony, the Legal Adviser of the GWU told the audience that 600 Emirati women were empowered through MEPI-sponsored programs and cooperation, especially thru the MEPI Women in Technology (WIT) program.
UAEG representatives expressed willingness to cooperate with MEPI to develop programs
on countering domestic violence, while UNIFEM's Deputy Director said they want to learn from and cooperate with MEPI programs related to women's political empowerment,
especially programs dedicated to further empower Arab woman MPs. UNIFEM has a project
entitled “Arab Women Parliamentarians.”
of the World's Women 2008/2009 last week. The report features new data and calls for
stronger accountability systems to move from commitments on women's rights. During the launch ceremony, the Legal Adviser of the GWU told the audience that 600 Emirati women were empowered through MEPI-sponsored programs and cooperation, especially thru the MEPI Women in Technology (WIT) program.
UAEG representatives expressed willingness to cooperate with MEPI to develop programs
on countering domestic violence, while UNIFEM's Deputy Director said they want to learn from and cooperate with MEPI programs related to women's political empowerment,
especially programs dedicated to further empower Arab woman MPs. UNIFEM has a project
entitled “Arab Women Parliamentarians.”
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Yemen: Women should be guaranteed 21 Parliamentary seats, Minister
Raghda Gamal, Yemen Observer
In the coming elections, Yemeni women should be guaranteed 21 seats in parliament, said the Minister of Human Rights Huda al-Ban, explaining the quota system. Al-Ban made her announcement during a press conference held to launch the training program, titled “Journalists for Human Rights” (JHR), which is being organized by the Media Women Forum, in cooperation with the MEPI.
During her address, she said there was a high expectation among many journalists who participated in this program, either in the field of human rights, or in support of women in the coming elections. She also added that the problems facing Yemeni women are not related to the political leadership or Yemeni law, but rather to the community, who fails to accept women in specific areas of political life. She confirmed that the Ministry of Human Rights welcomes any partnership with civil society organizations, and the media in dealing with information about human rights cases, and women’s issues in particular. She called on journalists to familiarize themselves with the system of human rights, and the principle of freedom of expression.
Wedad al-Badawi the Vice-Chairwoman of (MWF) said that the program hoped to form a group of qualified journalists, who would support human rights issues in Yemen by teaching these journalists the basics of international human rights and local laws. Al-Badawi thanked al-Ban for her continued support, and confirmed that this program came out of a need to create local community awareness surrounding women’s issues and human rights. The program also aimed to present a clearer picture about the kinds of social, local laws and international conventions surrounding women’s issues. The project will work over the whole year with 30 journalists from eight different provinces, with the aim of training participants. The MWF has invited individual’s active in Yemeni civil society and experienced journalists in the field of human rights.
The journalist Nebras Ammer discusses the problems facing her as a Yemeni journalist, especially from some Yemeni men who take important decisions while chewing Qat, an environment from which women are excluded. In related news, the MWF organized, during the same day, a fourth activity to enhance the strategic development of the forum over the next three years. This was achieved though the establishment of a workshop to discuss the aspirations of Yemen’s media women, and what they hoped to gain from the media and the Forum. The meeting was attended by a number of journalists.
In the coming elections, Yemeni women should be guaranteed 21 seats in parliament, said the Minister of Human Rights Huda al-Ban, explaining the quota system. Al-Ban made her announcement during a press conference held to launch the training program, titled “Journalists for Human Rights” (JHR), which is being organized by the Media Women Forum, in cooperation with the MEPI.
During her address, she said there was a high expectation among many journalists who participated in this program, either in the field of human rights, or in support of women in the coming elections. She also added that the problems facing Yemeni women are not related to the political leadership or Yemeni law, but rather to the community, who fails to accept women in specific areas of political life. She confirmed that the Ministry of Human Rights welcomes any partnership with civil society organizations, and the media in dealing with information about human rights cases, and women’s issues in particular. She called on journalists to familiarize themselves with the system of human rights, and the principle of freedom of expression.
Wedad al-Badawi the Vice-Chairwoman of (MWF) said that the program hoped to form a group of qualified journalists, who would support human rights issues in Yemen by teaching these journalists the basics of international human rights and local laws. Al-Badawi thanked al-Ban for her continued support, and confirmed that this program came out of a need to create local community awareness surrounding women’s issues and human rights. The program also aimed to present a clearer picture about the kinds of social, local laws and international conventions surrounding women’s issues. The project will work over the whole year with 30 journalists from eight different provinces, with the aim of training participants. The MWF has invited individual’s active in Yemeni civil society and experienced journalists in the field of human rights.
The journalist Nebras Ammer discusses the problems facing her as a Yemeni journalist, especially from some Yemeni men who take important decisions while chewing Qat, an environment from which women are excluded. In related news, the MWF organized, during the same day, a fourth activity to enhance the strategic development of the forum over the next three years. This was achieved though the establishment of a workshop to discuss the aspirations of Yemen’s media women, and what they hoped to gain from the media and the Forum. The meeting was attended by a number of journalists.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Middle East: MEPI Election Exchange News Coverage
MBC/Al Arabiya October news coverage of MEPI's Election Exchange program.
Middle East Looking Ahead: The Future of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)
Friday November 14, 12:00-1:15, Russell Senate Office Building, Room 188
On Friday, the Project on Middle East Democracy held a lunch briefing for Congressional staff entitled “Looking Ahead: The Future of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).” The two featured speakers were Scott Carpenter, Keston Family fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and previously Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and head of the Middle East Partnership Initiative from 2004 to 2007; and Les Campbell, Senior Associate at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and regional director for NDI’s programs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); the discussion was moderated by Stephen McInerney, Director of Advocacy at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED).
Scott Carpenter organized his presentation around four key questions: Why is MEPI needed? Why was it placed in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA)? How is it different than other institutions such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) or the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)? And, where will it go from here?
On the first question, he began by saying after 9/11 the Bush Administration examined its relationship with countries in the Middle East and realized the need to move past issues of security and energy concerns. The idea for MEPI existed prior to 9/11, but was given higher priority after that time. The Arab Human Development Report also came out at the same time, declaring that “the pathologies that affected the region” could no longer be ignored, from the economy to the state of education. This confluence of factors led to a conscious decision to change foreign policy in the Arab world.
Existing organizations for moving forward in the Middle East were hampered by various factors: the NED did not cover educational programs or female empowerment, while USAID operated only through bilateral government-to-government relationships and only in six of the region’s 22 countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Morocco, West Bank/Gaza, Jordan; it does not work at all in places like Saudi Arabia, Algeria, or Kuwait.
Hence Carpenter cited a gap, requiring a new conversation - a “partnership” - with the region focusing on empowering civil society. Hence the creation of MEPI, to fill that gap, and founded with four “pillars” of focus: democracy, economy, education, and women’s empowerment.
Moving to the second question, he noted that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) had always operated with a narrow vision of security and energy, and was in 2002 the smallest regional bureau in the State Department, in terms of staff and resources. As Carpenter put it, the State Department didn’t need a huge staff in order to interact with the Middle East, because we only had to deal with a few people in each country – the dictator and his deputies. The traditional role of NEA, and the State Department more broadly, in the Middle East was to maintain bilateral relationships with autocratic regimes. Secretary of State Colin Powell was initially opposed to the idea of MEPI, thinking it would irritate governments in the region, undermining our diplomatic efforts there. However, following 9/11 and the broader recognition of the need for a shift on U.S. policy in the region, Powell and the State Department became more supportive.
Conventional wisdom might have put MEPI under the supervision of the Under Secretary for Global Affairs, at the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), a bureau created by Congress, without the same direct ties to the embassies as the regional bureaus. However, the administration was not interested in merely developing another series of programs, but impacting policy toward the region, largely formulated within NEA. What were our ambassadors actually saying in foreign offices? Because of its location in NEA, MEPI has foreign service officers working on the ground in each embassy.
USAID, on the other hand, is very different. USAID has bilateral programs which are negotiated with foreign governments. These tend to be large infrastructure programs or financial sector reform projects that do not engage civil society or involve political work on the grassroots level. USAID also does not operate in every country in the Middle East, and by definition, cannot function on a regional level or carry out multination projects either.
MEPI began without a clear strategy, only an initial framework based on the four “pillars,” but it gradually improved its effectiveness as it developed a staff and resources, shifted grant-making from Washington to its two offices in the region, and increasingly moved to erode the bureaucratic approach of treating each country as a separate entity, replacing it with a transcendent, regional vision on issues of relevance.
Funding for MEPI has gone up and down since its inception, making it hard to have a consistent set of objectives, but it is starting to have a clear impact in the region, and is seen as a positive force for change. Carpenter noted that less than 1% of what is spent in Iraq is spent on democracy promotion annually around the world. At the critical time of transition to a new administration, he concluded by declaring that MEPI should not only continue, but given a “steroid injection,” since “we have Al-Qaeda on the run.” He urged Congress to “double down” on MEPI and its critical role in the “war of ideas” in the Middle East, asserting that MEPI uniquely gives policymakers the tools they need to spur real change in the region.
Les Campbell provided the perspective of a nongovernmental recipient of funding for democracy programs from MEPI, and asserted that his organization, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), has thrived in its work with MEPI. He noted that some are surprised by this, because of the perception of MEPI as a partisan Bush administration initiative originally headed by Liz Cheney, while NDI is loosely affiliated with the Democratic Party. But he stressed that NDI’s working relationship with MEPI has been extremely productive, contrary to this perception.
He acknowledged skepticism in approaching an initial meeting with Liz Cheney, but they quickly reached agreement on a project for women across the region who were running for political office, which led to a variety of women’s training programs in the region run by NDI. Starting from the success of the Moroccan reforms in 2004, to Kuwaiti women obtaining the right to vote, and the strengthening of Jordanian women in parliament, Campbell said a direct line could be drawn back to MEPI on each of these reforms.
Campbell also discussed how MEPI greatly facilitated the process by which NDI could receive U.S. government support and funding for NDI’s democracy programs. Previously, NDI had to befriend the ambassador to the particular country in question, then the deputy assistant secretary, and pitch their ideas to them, often unsuccessfully. The only other option was the daunting task of “cracking the USAID vault.” USAID’s programs, however, are submitted to the foreign government for approval, invariably leading programs on serious political reform to be rejected.
Additionally Campbell said dialogue with MEPI was easier and more flexible than other agencies such as USAID. They were more engaged in the process and more willing to work with new ideas. USAID bundles huge contracts together, thus matching priorities is difficult, and oftentimes a large solicitation takes 18 months from beginning to end. He also noted that they at NDI “see a very clear differentiation” between the role of various funding sources such as USAID, the NED, DRL, and MEPI, arguing that MEPI fills a valuable niche. He agreed that MEPI has unique advantages situated within NEA, and also urged that it remain intact.
Campbell concluded with some key examples of programs that would not exist without MEPI: 1) Women’s regional schools, providing candidate training for female leadership and spurring women’s political participation and activism; 2) Palestinian Party Reform, strengthening the political organizing capacity of non-HAMAS parties in the Palestinian territories; 3) promoting democracy in Libya through support of local democracy activists through NDI and other programs over the past 18 months 4) election monitoring in Egypt by independent Egyptian organizations, which recently forced the Egyptian regime to acknowledge that turnout to vote for President Mubarak was only 23%, whereas it had previously claimed turnout in excess of 90% 5) funding reform in the Gulf, where sources of funding other than the local government are extremely limited (e.g. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia).
On Friday, the Project on Middle East Democracy held a lunch briefing for Congressional staff entitled “Looking Ahead: The Future of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).” The two featured speakers were Scott Carpenter, Keston Family fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and previously Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and head of the Middle East Partnership Initiative from 2004 to 2007; and Les Campbell, Senior Associate at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and regional director for NDI’s programs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); the discussion was moderated by Stephen McInerney, Director of Advocacy at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED).
Scott Carpenter organized his presentation around four key questions: Why is MEPI needed? Why was it placed in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA)? How is it different than other institutions such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) or the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)? And, where will it go from here?
On the first question, he began by saying after 9/11 the Bush Administration examined its relationship with countries in the Middle East and realized the need to move past issues of security and energy concerns. The idea for MEPI existed prior to 9/11, but was given higher priority after that time. The Arab Human Development Report also came out at the same time, declaring that “the pathologies that affected the region” could no longer be ignored, from the economy to the state of education. This confluence of factors led to a conscious decision to change foreign policy in the Arab world.
Existing organizations for moving forward in the Middle East were hampered by various factors: the NED did not cover educational programs or female empowerment, while USAID operated only through bilateral government-to-government relationships and only in six of the region’s 22 countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Morocco, West Bank/Gaza, Jordan; it does not work at all in places like Saudi Arabia, Algeria, or Kuwait.
Hence Carpenter cited a gap, requiring a new conversation - a “partnership” - with the region focusing on empowering civil society. Hence the creation of MEPI, to fill that gap, and founded with four “pillars” of focus: democracy, economy, education, and women’s empowerment.
Moving to the second question, he noted that the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) had always operated with a narrow vision of security and energy, and was in 2002 the smallest regional bureau in the State Department, in terms of staff and resources. As Carpenter put it, the State Department didn’t need a huge staff in order to interact with the Middle East, because we only had to deal with a few people in each country – the dictator and his deputies. The traditional role of NEA, and the State Department more broadly, in the Middle East was to maintain bilateral relationships with autocratic regimes. Secretary of State Colin Powell was initially opposed to the idea of MEPI, thinking it would irritate governments in the region, undermining our diplomatic efforts there. However, following 9/11 and the broader recognition of the need for a shift on U.S. policy in the region, Powell and the State Department became more supportive.
Conventional wisdom might have put MEPI under the supervision of the Under Secretary for Global Affairs, at the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), a bureau created by Congress, without the same direct ties to the embassies as the regional bureaus. However, the administration was not interested in merely developing another series of programs, but impacting policy toward the region, largely formulated within NEA. What were our ambassadors actually saying in foreign offices? Because of its location in NEA, MEPI has foreign service officers working on the ground in each embassy.
USAID, on the other hand, is very different. USAID has bilateral programs which are negotiated with foreign governments. These tend to be large infrastructure programs or financial sector reform projects that do not engage civil society or involve political work on the grassroots level. USAID also does not operate in every country in the Middle East, and by definition, cannot function on a regional level or carry out multination projects either.
MEPI began without a clear strategy, only an initial framework based on the four “pillars,” but it gradually improved its effectiveness as it developed a staff and resources, shifted grant-making from Washington to its two offices in the region, and increasingly moved to erode the bureaucratic approach of treating each country as a separate entity, replacing it with a transcendent, regional vision on issues of relevance.
Funding for MEPI has gone up and down since its inception, making it hard to have a consistent set of objectives, but it is starting to have a clear impact in the region, and is seen as a positive force for change. Carpenter noted that less than 1% of what is spent in Iraq is spent on democracy promotion annually around the world. At the critical time of transition to a new administration, he concluded by declaring that MEPI should not only continue, but given a “steroid injection,” since “we have Al-Qaeda on the run.” He urged Congress to “double down” on MEPI and its critical role in the “war of ideas” in the Middle East, asserting that MEPI uniquely gives policymakers the tools they need to spur real change in the region.
Les Campbell provided the perspective of a nongovernmental recipient of funding for democracy programs from MEPI, and asserted that his organization, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), has thrived in its work with MEPI. He noted that some are surprised by this, because of the perception of MEPI as a partisan Bush administration initiative originally headed by Liz Cheney, while NDI is loosely affiliated with the Democratic Party. But he stressed that NDI’s working relationship with MEPI has been extremely productive, contrary to this perception.
He acknowledged skepticism in approaching an initial meeting with Liz Cheney, but they quickly reached agreement on a project for women across the region who were running for political office, which led to a variety of women’s training programs in the region run by NDI. Starting from the success of the Moroccan reforms in 2004, to Kuwaiti women obtaining the right to vote, and the strengthening of Jordanian women in parliament, Campbell said a direct line could be drawn back to MEPI on each of these reforms.
Campbell also discussed how MEPI greatly facilitated the process by which NDI could receive U.S. government support and funding for NDI’s democracy programs. Previously, NDI had to befriend the ambassador to the particular country in question, then the deputy assistant secretary, and pitch their ideas to them, often unsuccessfully. The only other option was the daunting task of “cracking the USAID vault.” USAID’s programs, however, are submitted to the foreign government for approval, invariably leading programs on serious political reform to be rejected.
Additionally Campbell said dialogue with MEPI was easier and more flexible than other agencies such as USAID. They were more engaged in the process and more willing to work with new ideas. USAID bundles huge contracts together, thus matching priorities is difficult, and oftentimes a large solicitation takes 18 months from beginning to end. He also noted that they at NDI “see a very clear differentiation” between the role of various funding sources such as USAID, the NED, DRL, and MEPI, arguing that MEPI fills a valuable niche. He agreed that MEPI has unique advantages situated within NEA, and also urged that it remain intact.
Campbell concluded with some key examples of programs that would not exist without MEPI: 1) Women’s regional schools, providing candidate training for female leadership and spurring women’s political participation and activism; 2) Palestinian Party Reform, strengthening the political organizing capacity of non-HAMAS parties in the Palestinian territories; 3) promoting democracy in Libya through support of local democracy activists through NDI and other programs over the past 18 months 4) election monitoring in Egypt by independent Egyptian organizations, which recently forced the Egyptian regime to acknowledge that turnout to vote for President Mubarak was only 23%, whereas it had previously claimed turnout in excess of 90% 5) funding reform in the Gulf, where sources of funding other than the local government are extremely limited (e.g. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia).
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Lebanon: Sison hosts Lebanese women with political ambitions
By Dalila Mahdawi
Daily Star staff
AWKAR: The US Embassy in Beirut hosted a luncheon on Wednesday for Lebanese participants of a US-sponsored "Election Exchange Program" held from October- November.
Almost 50 women political leaders from the Middle East and North Africa traveled to the US "to learn from the US experience in electoral campaigning," discuss the status of democratic, educational, economic and reform efforts in their home countries and witness the US presidential elections, a US Embassy press release said. All women are intending to stand for political positions in their home countries.
US Ambassador Michele Sison welcomed eight of the 13 Lebanese participants at her residence to discuss their experiences during the program.
Ghada al-Yafi, who plans to run in the 2009 elections as an independent candidate, told The Daily Star she had found the program "very enriching, especially for formulating ideas on how to promote democracy and learning tools to bring about change." She, like many other participants, expressed her optimism that women could help bring about political reform in Lebanon.
According to Ferial Abu-Hamdan, a project manager at the General Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and who served as a municipal council member from 1998-2004, "The main thing that struck me during the program was the time spent planning and managing campaigns, and how involved young people are in political life." Lebanese were not nearly as committed to volunteer work, she said.
The program impressed on her the necessity of educating people about the importance of voting and spreading political awareness. "If you don't vote, you can't complain," she said.
Dunia al-Khoury, president of the Women's Association of Deir al-Ahmar and one-time representative of the Bekaa to the Lebanese government, reiterated the importance of political involvement. "Lebanon is like a puzzle, each citizen should take part."
Although Lebanese women are increasingly taking on leading positions in the private and educational sectors, they face many obstacles entering politics. Women constitute roughly 56 percent of the population, and yet have less than 5 percent representation in government, numbering only five members of Parliament and one minister.
One difficulty faced by Arab women politicians, said Hamdan, is that "women aren't taken seriously. When I was I at the municipality, I had to continuously defend myself and my ideas ... I was in a higher position than others, but still I wasn't taken seriously because I was a woman."
Women activists have long been calling for a 35 percent quota in representation in the Lebanese government. Addressing the possibility of implementing such a quota, Yafi said, "I'm not for quotas because they go against the principle of democracy, but I am for a women's quota at least during the period of candidacy." According to Khoury, a quota would be "a simple way for women to enter politics. The Lebanese mentality cannot envision women as decision makers."
Implementing a woman's quota would be problematic, as Lebanon already has a quota in place for religious groups. "It is important for democracy to be based on secularism," Yafi said, hoping the religious quota would be abolished.
Daily Star staff
AWKAR: The US Embassy in Beirut hosted a luncheon on Wednesday for Lebanese participants of a US-sponsored "Election Exchange Program" held from October- November.
Almost 50 women political leaders from the Middle East and North Africa traveled to the US "to learn from the US experience in electoral campaigning," discuss the status of democratic, educational, economic and reform efforts in their home countries and witness the US presidential elections, a US Embassy press release said. All women are intending to stand for political positions in their home countries.
US Ambassador Michele Sison welcomed eight of the 13 Lebanese participants at her residence to discuss their experiences during the program.
Ghada al-Yafi, who plans to run in the 2009 elections as an independent candidate, told The Daily Star she had found the program "very enriching, especially for formulating ideas on how to promote democracy and learning tools to bring about change." She, like many other participants, expressed her optimism that women could help bring about political reform in Lebanon.
According to Ferial Abu-Hamdan, a project manager at the General Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and who served as a municipal council member from 1998-2004, "The main thing that struck me during the program was the time spent planning and managing campaigns, and how involved young people are in political life." Lebanese were not nearly as committed to volunteer work, she said.
The program impressed on her the necessity of educating people about the importance of voting and spreading political awareness. "If you don't vote, you can't complain," she said.
Dunia al-Khoury, president of the Women's Association of Deir al-Ahmar and one-time representative of the Bekaa to the Lebanese government, reiterated the importance of political involvement. "Lebanon is like a puzzle, each citizen should take part."
Although Lebanese women are increasingly taking on leading positions in the private and educational sectors, they face many obstacles entering politics. Women constitute roughly 56 percent of the population, and yet have less than 5 percent representation in government, numbering only five members of Parliament and one minister.
One difficulty faced by Arab women politicians, said Hamdan, is that "women aren't taken seriously. When I was I at the municipality, I had to continuously defend myself and my ideas ... I was in a higher position than others, but still I wasn't taken seriously because I was a woman."
Women activists have long been calling for a 35 percent quota in representation in the Lebanese government. Addressing the possibility of implementing such a quota, Yafi said, "I'm not for quotas because they go against the principle of democracy, but I am for a women's quota at least during the period of candidacy." According to Khoury, a quota would be "a simple way for women to enter politics. The Lebanese mentality cannot envision women as decision makers."
Implementing a woman's quota would be problematic, as Lebanon already has a quota in place for religious groups. "It is important for democracy to be based on secularism," Yafi said, hoping the religious quota would be abolished.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Bahrain: Obama 'model for poll candidates'
By REBECCA TORR, Gulf Daily News
CANDIDATES for Bahrain's next elections are being advised to follow the example of US President-elect Barack Obama if they are serious about winning a seat in parliament or municipal councils.
Women in particular should try to emulate the way the next leader of the free world started fundraising and drumming up support early, according to former Shura Council member Dr Fakhria Diari.
She said even though Bahrain's next polls are two years away, it is never too soon to start laying the foundations of a successful campaign.
"One woman in parliament is not enough," she told the GDN.
"We lack funding here and we need full time help, we must work hard on fundraising.
"We must go to the private sector and have them participate in the campaign.
"Phone companies can help by giving free calls for their campaign."
Dr Diari, who admitted she was considering running for a municipal council seat, said candidates also needed a large network of volunteers of all ages to help them with their campaign.
She suggested lobby centres similar to those in the US, which teach volunteers how to knock on doors and win over voters.
"We have a lot of youth volunteers, but it would be good to have senior citizens - it helps them feel alive and gives them purpose," she said.
"Volunteers in the US will call up people who haven't voted yet or send them a message or e-mail to remind them and the youth go out knocking doors asking people to vote for their party."
Dr Diari was speaking after taking part in the Election Exchange Programme in the US.
The month-long programme was sponsored by the US Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and implemented by the American University, in Washington, DC.
Programme organisers chose 44 female political leaders from the Middle East and North Africa to exchange experiences and points of view on politics, as well as observe the US presidential campaigns.
Participants were mainly focused in Washington, DC, but were also sent to different states to observe the local election process.
Dr Diari, who visited Raleigh, in North Carolina, and Denver, in Colarado, now hopes to bring US experts to Bahrain to conduct workshops on how candidates can structure their campaigns.
She is also recommending workshops, ongoing training and exchange programmes for MPs and Shura Council members.
However, Dr Diari said compared to many other countries in the region, Bahrain was honoured that women had support from the highest level - from His Majesty King Hamad and his wife Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
She said she was hopeful that more women would be elected to parliament in 2010, even though only one woman won a parliamentary seat last time.
"In 2006, 80 women stood for election and it's a hard job to be in parliament, they need to be able to talk in front of thousands of people and the women must have a political background.
Dr Diari said in Denver the group visited a businesswomen's club, which volunteered time to support election campaigns.
"Women's groups here should support women candidates," said Dr Diari.
"If we do what they (the US) are doing, 100 per cent women will be elected into parliament.
"If 51pc of women voted for women, then women would be successful, but some women don't believe in women and give the vote their husband gives.
Dr Diari said during the group's visit to Washington they met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, but claimed everyone was unhappy with her answers to their questions.
She asked Ms Rice if President George Bush made the right decision by invading Iraq, but said she evaded the question.
The group also met President Bush at another meeting and two questions were taken.
"It was nice to meet them and they received us, but the answers from Bush and Rice were not satisfactory," she said.
"They would not explain and that's why I think Obama is the right person and I hope he will do right."
Dr Diari's visit to Raleigh and Denver was sponsored by Meridian International Centre, which promotes international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas and the arts.
In Denver, Dr Diari visited the office of Obama and the Meridian International Centre.
In Raleigh she visited various places including the First Baptist church and the North Carolina Centre for Voter Education.
"In North Carolina I attended Obama's campaign and I was shocked how hard he worked," she said.
"He gave a beautiful speech. He said: 'We don't need war, we need peace and education for children and we need not see a single tear in a mother's eyes.'
"I spoke to Americans there and they said: 'We have confidence in this president that he will solve our racial problems.'
Dr Diari said in Raleigh she liked that during Halloween the police department invited thousands of children and their families for a celebration where they were given sweets and enjoyed face painting.
She said this was a good way for children to learn about police and overcome fear of them.
"Children are always scared of police and I was thinking, I wish we could take children to police during Gargaoon (in Ramadan)," she said.
"The police there have monthly visits for families and for child protection education, it would be nice to do this here."
CANDIDATES for Bahrain's next elections are being advised to follow the example of US President-elect Barack Obama if they are serious about winning a seat in parliament or municipal councils.
Women in particular should try to emulate the way the next leader of the free world started fundraising and drumming up support early, according to former Shura Council member Dr Fakhria Diari.
She said even though Bahrain's next polls are two years away, it is never too soon to start laying the foundations of a successful campaign.
"One woman in parliament is not enough," she told the GDN.
"We lack funding here and we need full time help, we must work hard on fundraising.
"We must go to the private sector and have them participate in the campaign.
"Phone companies can help by giving free calls for their campaign."
Dr Diari, who admitted she was considering running for a municipal council seat, said candidates also needed a large network of volunteers of all ages to help them with their campaign.
She suggested lobby centres similar to those in the US, which teach volunteers how to knock on doors and win over voters.
"We have a lot of youth volunteers, but it would be good to have senior citizens - it helps them feel alive and gives them purpose," she said.
"Volunteers in the US will call up people who haven't voted yet or send them a message or e-mail to remind them and the youth go out knocking doors asking people to vote for their party."
Dr Diari was speaking after taking part in the Election Exchange Programme in the US.
The month-long programme was sponsored by the US Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and implemented by the American University, in Washington, DC.
Programme organisers chose 44 female political leaders from the Middle East and North Africa to exchange experiences and points of view on politics, as well as observe the US presidential campaigns.
Participants were mainly focused in Washington, DC, but were also sent to different states to observe the local election process.
Dr Diari, who visited Raleigh, in North Carolina, and Denver, in Colarado, now hopes to bring US experts to Bahrain to conduct workshops on how candidates can structure their campaigns.
She is also recommending workshops, ongoing training and exchange programmes for MPs and Shura Council members.
However, Dr Diari said compared to many other countries in the region, Bahrain was honoured that women had support from the highest level - from His Majesty King Hamad and his wife Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
She said she was hopeful that more women would be elected to parliament in 2010, even though only one woman won a parliamentary seat last time.
"In 2006, 80 women stood for election and it's a hard job to be in parliament, they need to be able to talk in front of thousands of people and the women must have a political background.
Dr Diari said in Denver the group visited a businesswomen's club, which volunteered time to support election campaigns.
"Women's groups here should support women candidates," said Dr Diari.
"If we do what they (the US) are doing, 100 per cent women will be elected into parliament.
"If 51pc of women voted for women, then women would be successful, but some women don't believe in women and give the vote their husband gives.
Dr Diari said during the group's visit to Washington they met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, but claimed everyone was unhappy with her answers to their questions.
She asked Ms Rice if President George Bush made the right decision by invading Iraq, but said she evaded the question.
The group also met President Bush at another meeting and two questions were taken.
"It was nice to meet them and they received us, but the answers from Bush and Rice were not satisfactory," she said.
"They would not explain and that's why I think Obama is the right person and I hope he will do right."
Dr Diari's visit to Raleigh and Denver was sponsored by Meridian International Centre, which promotes international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas and the arts.
In Denver, Dr Diari visited the office of Obama and the Meridian International Centre.
In Raleigh she visited various places including the First Baptist church and the North Carolina Centre for Voter Education.
"In North Carolina I attended Obama's campaign and I was shocked how hard he worked," she said.
"He gave a beautiful speech. He said: 'We don't need war, we need peace and education for children and we need not see a single tear in a mother's eyes.'
"I spoke to Americans there and they said: 'We have confidence in this president that he will solve our racial problems.'
Dr Diari said in Raleigh she liked that during Halloween the police department invited thousands of children and their families for a celebration where they were given sweets and enjoyed face painting.
She said this was a good way for children to learn about police and overcome fear of them.
"Children are always scared of police and I was thinking, I wish we could take children to police during Gargaoon (in Ramadan)," she said.
"The police there have monthly visits for families and for child protection education, it would be nice to do this here."
Monday, November 3, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Letter from America
MINNEAPOLIS: For the last few days I have been seeing the American political process firsthand as part of a delegation of women from the Middle East organized by American University and the US State Department. We started by meeting with President George W. Bush, but since that time, we have been traveling across the country in the time running up to election day. What we have seen is truly an inspiration and an eye-opener about the potential for participatory democracy in our part of the world.
In the Arab world, limited elections, however, hardly give one a taste of the incredible power of democracy as it is practiced in the United States.
The election day will find American men and women all across this sprawling nation exercising their votes in many political races, from deciding upon who shall hold city offices to who their state legislators shall be; who their senators, congressmen and women shall be as well as which presidential candidate will lead the free world for the next four years. Additionally, across the nation, many will express their wishes at the polling places on a variety of issues and referenda relating to laws and taxation. All these issues will be decided by an informed public representing a vast diversity of races, religions and political leanings.
Many of us back in the Middle East watch American news broadcasts with a certain fascination, but to meet the voters, the candidates and the campaign volunteers is marvelous by comparison.
Here in Minneapolis, the state capital of Minnesota, which is one of America’s north central states, the fever of elections is everywhere, with posters, television ads, rallies and door-to-door campaigning. American citizens truly believe that it is the biggest election of their time, and everybody is involved — men, women, young and old; all want to have a say in who will lead their country.
A fact that should provide some comfort to those of us in the Middle East is that everyone we have spoken to has been eager to express a genuine dissatisfaction with the way their country has been run during Bush’s administration, and Democrats and Republicans all say they want real changes in the policies that affect their lives.
Another aspect of the American election process that should provide hope and inspiration for the disenfranchised women of the Middle East is the role that women are playing in these elections at every level from city councils to vice presidential candidates. Women by nature of the human condition represent about half of the population of most nations, but in this nation they are encouraged to make their wishes known and vote heartily for men or women candidates as their conscience dictates. Imagine what the ramifications would be for our societies if our women were so empowered.
I was particularly impressed and inspired by the campaign strategies of women running for office. The percentage of women who are represented in government in Minnesota is larger than in other states. Women have been able to enter politics more easily because of support from other women and because of the strong civic sense that is prevalent among the people here.
Rep. Erin Murphy, who was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2006 and is currently running for re-election, shared with us her experiences as a state legislator and talked to us about the need to include women in politics so that issues related to families, education and health care can be addressed. She said women are more willing to listen and are more oriented to political negotiation and compromise than some of their male counterparts. The legislator also said that women can be better politicians because they can connect better without demonizing or dehumanizing each other.
Most impressive are the young Barack Obama volunteers who brave the cold weather and snow to support their candidate. They provided clear instructions to the campaign workers and urged them to support their Democratic candidates.
One 26-year-old woman spoke to the volunteers during an Obama rally with eloquence and passion though she had no prepared text. She was actively and intelligently engaging young people with a true understanding of these serious national issues.
Even children in attendance seem to have some grasp of the matters at hand and enough information to form their own opinions. Meeting some of these volunteers, I was really touched and surprised by the feelings of a young lady who asked me to tell my world that Americans do not like the warlike policies of Bush and to tell them that they are very angry and they are not very happy about it. They want an end to this administration, and that is why she is working hard to campaign for Obama who symbolizes change to them.
If there is great power in the United States, it does not come from the military or Wall Street but from hundreds of millions of people living in freedom empowered with a voice and, as importantly, the information to let their will be known. We may have a way to go to attain this level of participation, but if the people of the Middle East truly want to embrace such empowerment, it will require education, tolerance of differing viewpoints and a willingness to make the compromises that can allow us — as a people — to move forward together toward a bright future.
-- By Samar Fatany, Arab News
In the Arab world, limited elections, however, hardly give one a taste of the incredible power of democracy as it is practiced in the United States.
The election day will find American men and women all across this sprawling nation exercising their votes in many political races, from deciding upon who shall hold city offices to who their state legislators shall be; who their senators, congressmen and women shall be as well as which presidential candidate will lead the free world for the next four years. Additionally, across the nation, many will express their wishes at the polling places on a variety of issues and referenda relating to laws and taxation. All these issues will be decided by an informed public representing a vast diversity of races, religions and political leanings.
Many of us back in the Middle East watch American news broadcasts with a certain fascination, but to meet the voters, the candidates and the campaign volunteers is marvelous by comparison.
Here in Minneapolis, the state capital of Minnesota, which is one of America’s north central states, the fever of elections is everywhere, with posters, television ads, rallies and door-to-door campaigning. American citizens truly believe that it is the biggest election of their time, and everybody is involved — men, women, young and old; all want to have a say in who will lead their country.
A fact that should provide some comfort to those of us in the Middle East is that everyone we have spoken to has been eager to express a genuine dissatisfaction with the way their country has been run during Bush’s administration, and Democrats and Republicans all say they want real changes in the policies that affect their lives.
Another aspect of the American election process that should provide hope and inspiration for the disenfranchised women of the Middle East is the role that women are playing in these elections at every level from city councils to vice presidential candidates. Women by nature of the human condition represent about half of the population of most nations, but in this nation they are encouraged to make their wishes known and vote heartily for men or women candidates as their conscience dictates. Imagine what the ramifications would be for our societies if our women were so empowered.
I was particularly impressed and inspired by the campaign strategies of women running for office. The percentage of women who are represented in government in Minnesota is larger than in other states. Women have been able to enter politics more easily because of support from other women and because of the strong civic sense that is prevalent among the people here.
Rep. Erin Murphy, who was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2006 and is currently running for re-election, shared with us her experiences as a state legislator and talked to us about the need to include women in politics so that issues related to families, education and health care can be addressed. She said women are more willing to listen and are more oriented to political negotiation and compromise than some of their male counterparts. The legislator also said that women can be better politicians because they can connect better without demonizing or dehumanizing each other.
Most impressive are the young Barack Obama volunteers who brave the cold weather and snow to support their candidate. They provided clear instructions to the campaign workers and urged them to support their Democratic candidates.
One 26-year-old woman spoke to the volunteers during an Obama rally with eloquence and passion though she had no prepared text. She was actively and intelligently engaging young people with a true understanding of these serious national issues.
Even children in attendance seem to have some grasp of the matters at hand and enough information to form their own opinions. Meeting some of these volunteers, I was really touched and surprised by the feelings of a young lady who asked me to tell my world that Americans do not like the warlike policies of Bush and to tell them that they are very angry and they are not very happy about it. They want an end to this administration, and that is why she is working hard to campaign for Obama who symbolizes change to them.
If there is great power in the United States, it does not come from the military or Wall Street but from hundreds of millions of people living in freedom empowered with a voice and, as importantly, the information to let their will be known. We may have a way to go to attain this level of participation, but if the people of the Middle East truly want to embrace such empowerment, it will require education, tolerance of differing viewpoints and a willingness to make the compromises that can allow us — as a people — to move forward together toward a bright future.
-- By Samar Fatany, Arab News
Friday, October 31, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Women Politicians Meet President Bush
President George W. Bush emphasized that he maintains a good relationship with King Abdullah, and considers him as a close friend, adding that he also has a good relationships with number of Arab leaders.
During his meeting with 44 women, including eight Saudis, from nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa, President Bush said that “Today, there is no existence for the “Great State of Israel”, stressing that the Palestinian State will be established. He also considered that the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue as one of his presidential term’s achievements.
President Bush also criticized the accusations that were made against him during his presidency regarding his position “against Muslims”, stressing that such accusations were “wrong.” He underlined that the US took necessary procedures following 9/11 to protect the Americans from future attacks.
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue, President Bush noted that before his presidency, the relation between the two sides (Israeli-Palestinian) hit the rock bottom and there was no real dialogue between them. However, he promoted dialogue and negotiations and each side now has a genuine aspiration for peace. He added “Today, the State of Great Israel does not exist, but there will be a Palestinian state.”
President Bush mentioned that a number of Arab countries supporting the peace process, including Saudi Arabia.
President Bush praised the role of Arab women, saying she will play a significant role in the future.
The Arab Women's delegation went to the United States upon the invitation of the State Department to examine the US presidential elections.
The delegation met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rice responded to the delegation’s questions, however, some of participants in the delegation expressed their dissatisfaction over Rice's refusal to answer questions related with the US policy in the Middle East.
-- Manal Al Sharif, Al Madina News
During his meeting with 44 women, including eight Saudis, from nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa, President Bush said that “Today, there is no existence for the “Great State of Israel”, stressing that the Palestinian State will be established. He also considered that the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue as one of his presidential term’s achievements.
President Bush also criticized the accusations that were made against him during his presidency regarding his position “against Muslims”, stressing that such accusations were “wrong.” He underlined that the US took necessary procedures following 9/11 to protect the Americans from future attacks.
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue, President Bush noted that before his presidency, the relation between the two sides (Israeli-Palestinian) hit the rock bottom and there was no real dialogue between them. However, he promoted dialogue and negotiations and each side now has a genuine aspiration for peace. He added “Today, the State of Great Israel does not exist, but there will be a Palestinian state.”
President Bush mentioned that a number of Arab countries supporting the peace process, including Saudi Arabia.
President Bush praised the role of Arab women, saying she will play a significant role in the future.
The Arab Women's delegation went to the United States upon the invitation of the State Department to examine the US presidential elections.
The delegation met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rice responded to the delegation’s questions, however, some of participants in the delegation expressed their dissatisfaction over Rice's refusal to answer questions related with the US policy in the Middle East.
-- Manal Al Sharif, Al Madina News
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Middle East: Mideast women seek more clout
A group visits Maine under a program to help women achieve gains in Middle Eastern politics.
Mona Abdulrahman Al-Anbari will head back to Qatar next month, energized to work for a particular candidate for the national legislature -- partly because of what she saw in Maine.
Al-Anbari, a journalist who is thinking of trying for a local office herself, said seeing women run for some of Maine's highest political offices, including the U.S. Senate and House, has convinced her that women in Qatar need to take on a bigger role in that country's political process.
"When I get home, I will certainly be pushing for (more) women to participate in elections," she said through an interpreter. She plans to back one woman candidate who wants a quota to make sure that women make up a sizable portion of the Qatar legislature.
Al-Anbari, visiting Maine as part of the State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative, said she was particularly impressed to see Maine women forcefully advocate positions, both as political workers and as candidates themselves.
The group that visited Maine consisted of 10 women from the Middle East -- politicians, party workers, activists, educators and journalists -- along with translators and State Department officials. While here since Sunday, they received briefings on Maine government and politics; met with officials from Emerge Maine, which runs a political training program for Democratic women; went to the campaign office of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine; met with state Sen. Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport, president of the Maine Senate; and met with Cape Elizabeth High School social studies classes and the student World Affairs Council.
Access to politics and public office varies widely across the Middle East. In some countries, such as Lebanon, women are mostly welcomed as equals in the political world, said May Tony Akl.
Akl is an official with the Free Patriotic Movement, which was one of the political groups active in the "Cedar Revolution" of 2005, which resulted in the ouster of Syrian forces from Lebanon. The country only recently revamped its election laws, getting rid of a system under which the Syrians controlled voting and effectively named the winners, Akl said.
Akl said Lebanese political parties now face many of the same issues parties in the United States have, grappling with how many paid staffers should be hired, encouraging volunteers and figuring out fundraising.
Lebanon has six or seven major parties, often set up along religious lines, said Maya Sukar, who works for the Christian-based Lebanese Forces Party.
Sukar said many Lebanese women don't like politics, so she hopes telling them about how involved women are in the U.S. might lead to a change of heart and encourage more to become candidates or work for a party.
Al-Anbari said things are improving in politics for women in her country. She said the law was only recently changed to allow women to run for the national legislature, providing an opportunity for women like the one who wants to institute a quota.
"I am ambitious now and want to offer her help," Al-Anbari said.
The law was also only recently changed to allow women to run for office in the United Arab Emirates, said Suaad Zaayed Ibrahim Al Oraimi. She said half of the legislature is elected popularly and half selected by the government. In the most recent election, one woman won a seat and eight were appointed, giving women nine of 40 seats.
"It's good. I am happy with that," said Al Oraimi, a professor.
Al Oraimi said getting UAE residents interested in politics and government can be difficult. With oil revenue, the country provides free housing, health care and education and is responsible for creating most of the jobs that are available.
With that amount of government support, she said, many residents just want to make sure the services keep coming.
"They are comfortable and don't feel the need to fight for everything," she said.
The program began Oct. 14 in Washington with a series of seminars on the U.S. political system and then visits to states. After wrapping up the visit to Portland today, the group will head to Seattle to observe the last days of political races there and watch the results of the voting Tuesday.
-- Portland Press Herald
Mona Abdulrahman Al-Anbari will head back to Qatar next month, energized to work for a particular candidate for the national legislature -- partly because of what she saw in Maine.
Al-Anbari, a journalist who is thinking of trying for a local office herself, said seeing women run for some of Maine's highest political offices, including the U.S. Senate and House, has convinced her that women in Qatar need to take on a bigger role in that country's political process.
"When I get home, I will certainly be pushing for (more) women to participate in elections," she said through an interpreter. She plans to back one woman candidate who wants a quota to make sure that women make up a sizable portion of the Qatar legislature.
Al-Anbari, visiting Maine as part of the State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative, said she was particularly impressed to see Maine women forcefully advocate positions, both as political workers and as candidates themselves.
The group that visited Maine consisted of 10 women from the Middle East -- politicians, party workers, activists, educators and journalists -- along with translators and State Department officials. While here since Sunday, they received briefings on Maine government and politics; met with officials from Emerge Maine, which runs a political training program for Democratic women; went to the campaign office of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine; met with state Sen. Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport, president of the Maine Senate; and met with Cape Elizabeth High School social studies classes and the student World Affairs Council.
Access to politics and public office varies widely across the Middle East. In some countries, such as Lebanon, women are mostly welcomed as equals in the political world, said May Tony Akl.
Akl is an official with the Free Patriotic Movement, which was one of the political groups active in the "Cedar Revolution" of 2005, which resulted in the ouster of Syrian forces from Lebanon. The country only recently revamped its election laws, getting rid of a system under which the Syrians controlled voting and effectively named the winners, Akl said.
Akl said Lebanese political parties now face many of the same issues parties in the United States have, grappling with how many paid staffers should be hired, encouraging volunteers and figuring out fundraising.
Lebanon has six or seven major parties, often set up along religious lines, said Maya Sukar, who works for the Christian-based Lebanese Forces Party.
Sukar said many Lebanese women don't like politics, so she hopes telling them about how involved women are in the U.S. might lead to a change of heart and encourage more to become candidates or work for a party.
Al-Anbari said things are improving in politics for women in her country. She said the law was only recently changed to allow women to run for the national legislature, providing an opportunity for women like the one who wants to institute a quota.
"I am ambitious now and want to offer her help," Al-Anbari said.
The law was also only recently changed to allow women to run for office in the United Arab Emirates, said Suaad Zaayed Ibrahim Al Oraimi. She said half of the legislature is elected popularly and half selected by the government. In the most recent election, one woman won a seat and eight were appointed, giving women nine of 40 seats.
"It's good. I am happy with that," said Al Oraimi, a professor.
Al Oraimi said getting UAE residents interested in politics and government can be difficult. With oil revenue, the country provides free housing, health care and education and is responsible for creating most of the jobs that are available.
With that amount of government support, she said, many residents just want to make sure the services keep coming.
"They are comfortable and don't feel the need to fight for everything," she said.
The program began Oct. 14 in Washington with a series of seminars on the U.S. political system and then visits to states. After wrapping up the visit to Portland today, the group will head to Seattle to observe the last days of political races there and watch the results of the voting Tuesday.
-- Portland Press Herald
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Middle East: Bush still hoping for two-state solution
WASHINGTON: President George W. Bush reaffirmed his commitment for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue and called on Saudi Arabia and other Middle East nations to work for a final resolution to the long-standing problem.
He made the remarks on Thursday at a White House reception for a group of more than 40 women from the Middle East and North Africa visiting the United States.
Bush told the delegation that he has moved Israel closer to accepting a two-state solution during his time in office.
“I believe there needs to be a Palestinian state, and I stand by it,” Bush said.
“More than six years ago, I became the first American president to call for the creation of a Palestinian state.”
Bush said he sympathized with the plight of the Palestinian people.
“I said that Palestinians should not have to live in poverty and occupation and I laid out a new vision for the future — two democratic states, Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace and security.”
He praised Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah as both a great friend and ally and hoped that other nations would unite with America to seek an equitable solution.
“I have worked hard to change the terrible condition of Palestinians, and I ask for the support of Saudi Arabia and other Arab states to achieve this,” Bush said.
Bush dismissed notions of Islamophobia behind America's current stance in the Middle East and Iraq and spoke of his respect for Islam and Muslims.
“Muslims and Christians pray to the same God,” Bush said, vehemently denying reports that portray him as a person against Islam and Muslims.
Bush portrayed himself as a friend and an ally of Arab governments who support peace.
At the end of the meeting, he told the delegation he would be meeting with the mothers of American soldiers killed in Iraq, saying he has a duty to console them and “stand by their side.”
The delegation, consisting of women from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Qatar, is part of an exchange program to promote economic and educational reform in their home countries.
Samar Fatany | Arab News
He made the remarks on Thursday at a White House reception for a group of more than 40 women from the Middle East and North Africa visiting the United States.
Bush told the delegation that he has moved Israel closer to accepting a two-state solution during his time in office.
“I believe there needs to be a Palestinian state, and I stand by it,” Bush said.
“More than six years ago, I became the first American president to call for the creation of a Palestinian state.”
Bush said he sympathized with the plight of the Palestinian people.
“I said that Palestinians should not have to live in poverty and occupation and I laid out a new vision for the future — two democratic states, Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace and security.”
He praised Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah as both a great friend and ally and hoped that other nations would unite with America to seek an equitable solution.
“I have worked hard to change the terrible condition of Palestinians, and I ask for the support of Saudi Arabia and other Arab states to achieve this,” Bush said.
Bush dismissed notions of Islamophobia behind America's current stance in the Middle East and Iraq and spoke of his respect for Islam and Muslims.
“Muslims and Christians pray to the same God,” Bush said, vehemently denying reports that portray him as a person against Islam and Muslims.
Bush portrayed himself as a friend and an ally of Arab governments who support peace.
At the end of the meeting, he told the delegation he would be meeting with the mothers of American soldiers killed in Iraq, saying he has a duty to console them and “stand by their side.”
The delegation, consisting of women from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Qatar, is part of an exchange program to promote economic and educational reform in their home countries.
Samar Fatany | Arab News
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bahrain: Bahraini women on cultural trip
SIX young Bahraini women will soon get a taste of American culture and politics, under an international youth leadership programme.
They are taking part in the United States' Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which aims to enhance the knowledge and leadership skills of students from the region.
Dana Abul, 21, Noor Nass, 20, Mariam Rahimi, 18, Aysha Mohammed, 23, Marwa Badow, 20, and GDN reporter Noor Toorani, 20, are taking part in the six-week programme, which starts on Monday. They will be staying at various host universities across the US and will visit places of cultural and political significance, such as Washington DC, New York, Chicago and Boston.
"This programme mainly focuses on the students discovering the real American way of life and experience their politics and culture," said US Embassy cultural affairs assistant Janan Shaikh Abdulla.
"It teaches them to cope in the world and develop leadership skills. Students from both sides will learn that stereotype ideas we see in movies are not true.
They will have the chance to understand real Americans and vice versa," she explained.
Ms Badow is an English literature major at Bahrain University and will stay at University of Delaware, while Ms Rahimi, an economic and finance major at Ahlia University, will stay at Montana State University.
Ms Abul, a marketing and management major, will stay at Georgetown University, Washington DC. Ms Nass, an international business major will stay at Roger Williams University, Rhode Island.
Ms Toorani, an international studies major at AMA University, will stay at Benedictine University, Chic- ago, while Ms Mohammed will stay at Wayne State University, Michigan.
They will attend lectures and seminars and learn about democracy, economic growth, educational excellence and women's empowerment. They will also participate in community service, study tours and visit a host family.
This is the fifth group to be chosen, based on essays submitted, character, skills during the interview session and extra-curricular activities.
"There were two main essays on the application form on the importance of MEPI in the student's future and solving a social or political problem Bahrain faces today," Ms Abdulla said.
The answers won them nominations, that were sent to the MEPI Office in Washington, where the participants were hand-picked.
A total of 110 students from 17 Middle Eastern countries are participating this year and will be distributed among the six host universities. "I have been with MEPI for three years and I definitely see a difference when they return. "They become more outgoing and outspoken and jump head first into a project or discussion. "Their political and cultural awareness increases," Ms Abdulla said.
---Gulf Daily News
They are taking part in the United States' Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which aims to enhance the knowledge and leadership skills of students from the region.
Dana Abul, 21, Noor Nass, 20, Mariam Rahimi, 18, Aysha Mohammed, 23, Marwa Badow, 20, and GDN reporter Noor Toorani, 20, are taking part in the six-week programme, which starts on Monday. They will be staying at various host universities across the US and will visit places of cultural and political significance, such as Washington DC, New York, Chicago and Boston.
"This programme mainly focuses on the students discovering the real American way of life and experience their politics and culture," said US Embassy cultural affairs assistant Janan Shaikh Abdulla.
"It teaches them to cope in the world and develop leadership skills. Students from both sides will learn that stereotype ideas we see in movies are not true.
They will have the chance to understand real Americans and vice versa," she explained.
Ms Badow is an English literature major at Bahrain University and will stay at University of Delaware, while Ms Rahimi, an economic and finance major at Ahlia University, will stay at Montana State University.
Ms Abul, a marketing and management major, will stay at Georgetown University, Washington DC. Ms Nass, an international business major will stay at Roger Williams University, Rhode Island.
Ms Toorani, an international studies major at AMA University, will stay at Benedictine University, Chic- ago, while Ms Mohammed will stay at Wayne State University, Michigan.
They will attend lectures and seminars and learn about democracy, economic growth, educational excellence and women's empowerment. They will also participate in community service, study tours and visit a host family.
This is the fifth group to be chosen, based on essays submitted, character, skills during the interview session and extra-curricular activities.
"There were two main essays on the application form on the importance of MEPI in the student's future and solving a social or political problem Bahrain faces today," Ms Abdulla said.
The answers won them nominations, that were sent to the MEPI Office in Washington, where the participants were hand-picked.
A total of 110 students from 17 Middle Eastern countries are participating this year and will be distributed among the six host universities. "I have been with MEPI for three years and I definitely see a difference when they return. "They become more outgoing and outspoken and jump head first into a project or discussion. "Their political and cultural awareness increases," Ms Abdulla said.
---Gulf Daily News
Monday, June 30, 2008
Qatar: Winning MEPI Video Production
MEPI Regional Office Abu Dhabi is pleased to announce that the short video “Equal Voices, Equal Rights”, an excellent production by young Qatari citizen Ms. Nada Al Saadi, is the winner of MEPI’s first Open Video Contest. Ms. Al Saadi will receive professional digital media training, funded by MEPI, on how to produce her own Public Service Announcements (PSAs).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)