| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC April 16, 2007 Middle East Partnership Initiative Invites Applications for Three-month Democracy Fellowships in the U.S.The U.S. State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) invites young democratic reform leaders from the Middle East and North Africa to apply for three-month fellowships in the United States, where successful candidates will complete academic coursework and a practical, skill-building experience in their fields of choice.
The 2008 MEPI Leaders for Democracy Fellowships will begin with a six-week course on leadership and democracy at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University in New York. The Syracuse portion of the fellowship will include a capstone project by each participant, focusing on a topic of professional interest. After the academic program, each participant will gain practical experience and professional contacts in a four- to five-week fellowship with a political, non-governmental, or public policy organization in Syracuse, NY, or Washington, DC. Possible placement opportunities include working with a city council, local elections commission, non-governmental organization, issue advocacy group, political campaign, media outlet, grassroots organization, or think tank. Fellows will earn a certificate upon successful completion of the three-month program. The Leaders for Democracy Fellowships are open to people between the ages of 25 and 40 with a bachelor’s degree and English language fluency to function successfully in an American academic and professional environment. Applicants also should have five years of work experience, as well as demonstrated leadership skills, and the availability to be in the United States unaccompanied from March 15 through June 15, 2008. Applications are due to U.S. embassies in the region by May 31, 2007. Please see www.mepi.state.gov/82860.htm for detailed application instructions. The Middle East Partnership Initiative supports the aspirations of people in the Middle East seeking greater freedom and opportunity. In four years, MEPI has devoted more than $293 million to reformers working so democracy can spread, education can thrive, economies can grow, and women can be empowered. 2007/287 |
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