educational programs and scholarships
“Leaders for Democracy” Fellowship Program
Three Month Program for Young Leaders in the United States
October 22, 2008
Applications due by November 1, 2008
The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce it is now accepting applications for candidates to participate in the “Leaders for Democracy” Fellowships Program. This annual program will provide young democratic reform leaders from the Middle East and North Africa with the opportunity to complete both academic coursework and a practical, skill-building experience in their field of choice in the United States. The fellowship will cover all international and domestic travel, health insurance, housing, and a moderate living stipend. A maximum of twenty-five applicants will be chosen from the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
The program is open to applicants between the ages of 25 and 40 with a Bachelors degree and English language fluency to function successfully in an American academic and professional environment. Applicants also should have five years of work experience, as well as leadership skills and the capacity to apply the opportunities presented by the fellowship in a way that would benefit an organization, sector, or specific community. This program will run from March 15, 2009, to June 13, 2009. Fellows will travel to the United States unaccompanied.
Along with an updated resume, each candidate should submit an essay of no more than 1,000 words, written in English, which answers the following questions: How will a MEPI Leaders for Democracy Fellowship enable you to better lead your community or country towards greater democracy and government? Specifically, what do you hope to gain from this offers? What changes do you hope to bring about in your country during the next 10 years?
Your resume and essay are due by November 1, 2008.
Description of the Program
This program will begin in with a six-week academic course on leadership and democracy at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University (http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/) in upstate New York. The Maxwell School is ranked as the best graduate school in the United States for Public Affairs by U.S. News and World Report. Fellows will complete relevant seminars and workshops on the key elements of democratic governance, including: the development of democratic institutions; comparative politics; leading and managing the democratic state; and civil society and civic action. In addition, Fellows will participate in leadership and skill building workshops and work with a mentor from Syracuse University on a “capstone project,” of their own design, within their area of interest. Participants will earn a certificate upon the successful completion of this program.
After completing the academic portion of the program, participants will engage in a four to five week fellowship with a political, non-governmental, or public policy organization of professional interest in either Syracuse, NY, or Washington, D.C. Through this component of the program, participants will gain practical experience and further professional contacts to draw upon within their network. Fellows’ placements will be consistent with their individual work on their self-designed capstone project. Possible internship opportunities include: working with a city-council, local elections commission, non-governmental organization, political activist group, campaign, media outlet, grassroots organization, or think tank.
Submitting Applications
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to the point of contact listed below at the U.S. embassy in Iraq. Applicants who are subject to J-1 visa restrictions, who are employed by the U.S. Government, or who are the spouse or child of a U.S. Government employee will not be considered for this program.
Please submit a current CV as well as responses to the two essay questions, by email, with the subject line, “MEPI LDF application – Your Name” to the following appropriate contact in Iraq:
Joseph Taylor
Background on MEPI
MEPI was launched by the U.S. Government in 2002 to support democracy promotion, economic reform, quality education, and women’s empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa. Since then, it has funded more than 350 programs across the MENA region, ranging from support for election monitoring to improvements in the quality of education. More information can be found at http://mepi.state.gov/.