Leaders for Democracy Fellowships

Three-month Program in the United States for Young Leaders

Applications due by May 31, 2007

The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for candidates to participate in the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program. This annual program will provide young 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 international and domestic travel, health insurance, housing, and a moderate living stipend. A maximum of 25 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 bachelor's degree and English language fluency to function successfully in an American academic and professional environment. Applicants also should have five years of work experience, as well as leadership skills and the capacity to apply the opportunities presented by the fellowship in a way that would benefit an organization, sector, or specific community. This program will run from March 15, 2008, to June 15, 2008. Fellows will travel to the United States unaccompanied.

Interested applicants should submit to the U.S. embassy in their home country no later than May 31 an updated resume and two essays of no more than 500 words each (written in English), which answer the following questions:

• What does leadership mean to you? What has influenced your thinking on this subject (people you know, current events, course of study)? What is an example of a great act of leadership?
• What role do you expect to play in leading your community or country towards greater democracy and citizen participation in the institutions of government and in public life? What changes do you hope to bring about in your country during the next 10 years?

Description of the Program

This program will begin with 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 by U.S. News and World Report as the best graduate school in the United States for public affairs. Fellows will complete relevant seminars and workshops 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 mentors from Syracuse University on a capstone project of their own design, within their areas 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 , DC . 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 their home country. 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. Applicants will be informed of the status of their applications by July 20, 2007 .

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 your home country:

Algeria	Rodney Cunningham	CunninghamRD@state.gov
Bahrain	Mike Mussi	MussiME@state.gov
Egypt	Patricia Pearce	pearcepi@state.gov
Iraq	Mirek Dusek	dusekm@state.gov
Jordan	David Mees	MeesD@state.gov
Kuwait	Mark Rosenshield	RosenshieldMS@state.gov
Lebanon	Ryan Gliha	GlihaRM@state.gov
Morocco	David Nobles	NoblesDT@state.gov
Oman	Sarah Jackson	jacksonsm@state.gov
Palestinian Territories	Eric Geelan	geelane@state.gov
Qatar	Tim Fingarson	FingarsonTJ@state.gov
Syria	Adrienne Nutzman	NutzmanAB@state.gov
Tunisia	Brennan Gilmore	GilmoreBM@state.gov
UAE	Ben Thompson	ThomsonBA@state.gov
Yemen	Halla Rharrit	RharritH@state.gov

Background on the Middle East Partnership Initiative

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. For more information, see www.mepi.state.gov .