MEPI in Bahrain

Ongoing MEPI Programs

The following provides descriptions of ongoing programs in Bahrain, as well as a list of Regional Programs in which Bahraini organizations or individuals participate.

BAHRAIN PROGRAMS

Bahrain Human Rights Society

Improving Public, Parliament, and Ministry Support for Human Rights Protection in Bahrain - Since its establishment in 2001, the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) has been producing an annual human rights report about the protection and/or abuse of human rights in Bahrain.  This project will empower the BHRS to leverage the report into an effective mechanism for more significantly affecting public opinion, ministry policy, and legislative action.  BHRS will conduct its research and compile its initial report per usual, utilizing other sources of funding.  This project begins at the point BHRS has completed its first draft.  With support through this project, BHRS will not only print 1000 copies of the report, but will also hold a press conference; launch a public opinion billboard campaign; present key findings and legislative recommendations to a parliamentary committee;  present key findings and policy recommendations to ministers and senior ministry staff; and hold a final public meeting reviewing civil society actions and government responses in the months following the report’s release.

Bahrain Journalists Association

Improving Press Reporting on Local and National Elections - Accomplished U.S. journalists and journalism professors train journalists in Bahrain to effectively and ethically cover campaigns, candidates, and elections.  A follow-up phase trains journalists on covering the activities of parliament and parliamentarians.  Samples of pre and post workshop reporting are compiled and used as instructional tools.  The project produces a manual for distribution to all BJA members, and a journalist's code of ethics. 

Entrepreneurship Center

[Economic] - The establishment of Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence came as a by product of the 2005 MEET U. S. Alumni Conference that was held in Bahrain. More than 100 participants discussed obstacles to entrepreneurship and identified actions they could take together to help overcome them and advance economic reform.  Participants suggested creating a website, establish Alumni chapters in each of their countries, convening workshops to examine key economic reform issues, passing the entrepreneur skills training they had received on to colleagues, and organizing NGOs to advocate reform.  The launch of the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, announced at the conference was hailed as a concrete outcome of the 2004 Forum for the Future and a permanent venue for advancing Entrepreneurship in the region.

REGIONAL PROGRAMS

Bahraini individuals or groups participate in the following programs, which take place in two or more countries in the region (Click Here to see descriptions of regional programs). MEPI reform pillars are listed in parentheses.

• ABA/CEELI - Arab Women's Legal Netwrok (AWLN) [Women]
• ABA/CEELI - Middle East Legal Development Initiative [Political]
• Academy for Educational Development and Sun Microsystems - G-8 BMENA Global Learning Portal [Education]
• AIESEC - Student Organizations Building [Political, Education]
• Association Liaison Office - U.S.-Middle East University Partnerships [Education]
• Beyster Institute - Middle East Entrepreneur Training in the U.S. (MEET U.S.) [Economic]
• Booz Allen Hamilton - Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Technical Assistance [Economic]
• Center for Civic Education - Arab Civitas [Education]
• CEPPS - Parliamentary Assistance and Political Party Building [Political]
• Chugach - Middle East Finance Corporation Due Diligence [Economic]
• CLDP - Commercial, Judicial, and Legal Reform [Economic]
• FSVC - Partnership for Financial Excellence Part II [Economic]
• ICNL - Middle East Associative Rights Initiative [Political]
• International Finance Corporation - G-8 BMENA Technical Assistance [Economic]
• IREX - Middle East North Africa Development Initiative Alliance (MENA Media) [Political]
• IREX - Media Sustainability Index [Political]
• No Peace Without Justice - Strengthening the Democracy Assistance Dialogue [Political] 
• Junior Achievments - Economic Education and Job Skills Training in the Middle East [Economic]
• OECD - Middle East and North Africa Investment for Development Initiative [Economic] 
• Scholastic, Inc. - My Arabic Library [Education]
• Seeds of Peace - Building School Environments that Encourage Responsible Citizenship in Youth [Education]
• The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars - Enhancing the Role of Arab Women in the Legislative Process [Political]
• The English ACCESS Micro-scholarships Program [Education] 
• UNDP -  Global Democracy Barometer Project [Political]
• University of Michigan - Global Democracy Barometer Project [Political]