MEPI in Saudi Arabia

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

Saudi Arabia Programs

International Institute for Strategic Studies

Promoting Government-Civil Society Dialogue [Political] - The program addresses issues relating to reform in Saudi Arabia and brings together government officials, private experts, and journalists from Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

King Abdulaziz Philanthropic Women Organization

Community Advocacy for Women and Girls - The King Abdulaziz Philanthropic Women’s Organization promotes women's empowerment and girls education through training and advocacy efforts, in cooperation with other community organizations and institutions in Al Qassim.  Training and public awareness campaigns to address the high dropout rate of girls in secondary school, and the inequities and obstacles faced by women in the workplace and community.  Selected student participants will be trained as student trainers and funded by the King Abdulaziz Philanthropic Women Organization to conduct peer training and presentations at schools throughout the region.

Maisah Sobaihi

Career Development and Professional Skills Workshops for Young Women - This program supports local civil society in Saudi Arabia by empowering young women with the skills required to develop confidence through instruction in drama techniques. Workshops are aimed at promoting different sets of skills in young people through various activities and are designed to enhance confidence and self-awareness in young women so that they may play an increasingly supportive role in their societies.

Regional Programs

Saudi 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]
• 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]
• Booz Allen Hamilton - WTO Accession and Compliance Technical Assistance [Economic]
• Center for Civic Education - Arab Civitas [Education]
• Chugach - Middle East Finance Corporation Due Diligence [Economic]
• Chugach - Partnership Schools Due Diligence and Education Summit [Education]
• 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] 
• 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] 
• Seeds of Peace - Building School Environments that Encourage Responsible Citizenship in Youth [Education]
• UNDP -  Global Democracy Barometer Project [Political]