MEPI in Oman

Ongoing MEPI Programs

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

Oman Programs

Oman Association for Consumer Protection

Building “Volunteer-Friendly” Civil Society Organizations - Omani civil society organizations (CSOs) have demonstrated an interest and capacity for civic engagement and activism.  Despite their numerous efforts in volunteerism, there is still a great need for collaboration and coordination in defining the true objectives of volunteerism in Oman.  Through a MEPI-funded local grant, the Oman Association for Consumer Protection (OACP) seeks to introduce the concept of volunteering to Omani CSOs as a fundamental building block.  The first phase of the project will provide guidebooks and workshops for thirty CSO leaders on how to train and manage volunteers.  The second phase will engender a volunteer mentality in the Omani populace through an awareness campaign to recognize and reward volunteerism.

Oman Journalists Association

Junior Journalist Workshop - Students in Oman lack awareness and interest in social, political, and economic issues.  There is also a shortage of young writers and a lack of interaction between civil society organizations and students.  The Junior Journalist project run by the Oman Journalist Association (OJA) will address these problems by teaching critical thinking and analytical writing to Omani journalism students.  This program will offer two, one-week intensive training workshops for 50 students on effective journalism, investigative reporting, and media journalism. At the end of the course, students will submit their best articles about local issues into a contest.  The OJA will choose the best articles to publish in a national newspaper.  Participating students will then make presentations on analytical thinking and journalism’s accountability, to their classes upon returning to school.

Dar Al Atta

Developing Entrepreneurship for Low Income Women - Low-income women in Oman rely heavily on small-scale and home-based micro-enterprises for their family livelihood. With a population where 50% is under the age of 15, Oman needs more entrepreneurs to start businesses and create jobs for the rising generation.  Dar Al Atta will train and inspire Omani micro-entrepreneurs stabilize and grow their businesses by developing their entrepreneurial skills and fostering their economic independence. Additionally, 10 local guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences and act as a role models to whom the participants can relate.

SEEB Women Association

Strengthening Legal Awareness in Oman - Public awareness is critical to accountable governance and dynamic societies.  Due to the lack of awareness on legal issues among women in the Sultanate, Seeb Women’s Association (SWA) will organize activities to provide necessary legal knowledge to Omani women working in the public and private sectors, as well as promote awareness of empowering women within the society.

This project, Strengthening Legal Awareness in Oman, will build on previous SWA activities by reaching a wider audience and educating women on their legal rights. In addition to raising public awareness of women’s legal rights in Oman, the project will increase the depth of advocacy skills and techniques for 50 Omani women activists.

Dr. Rashed Al Balushi

Strengthening Labor Protections and Rule of Law: Labor Rights Guides for Judges and Workers - Oman has in recent years made remarkable legislative changes to improve labor rights and practices.  Nevertheless, continuous efforts are needed to raise awareness and provide guidance to both the judicial sector and the labor sector. Through this project, Omani law experts professor will develop a Practical Judicial Guide (PJG) for Omani judges to use as reference and guidance in labor-related trials, and an Employment Rights Brochure (ERB) to help ensure that the working public and the unions, associations, and lawyers that represent them are aware of key laws, regulations, and procedures to help them secure respect for their labor rights.  To develop the PJG and ERB, the experts initiate outreach and consultation meetings with officials from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Legal Affairs (MOLA), and with key judicial officials, labor/employee groups, business organizations, attorneys, and legal academics.

Creative Associates in Oman

Partnership Schools Program [Education] - Partnership Schools offers creative, innovative alternatives for quality and relevant education for children. Partnership Schools also serves as a model for governments as they build schools in the future and revamp their educational systems to meet the social and economic needs of tomorrow. MEPI will work with governments committed to implementing real school reform/transformation in areas that could include: English, math, science or social studies curriculum development; teacher training, methods and certification; technology utilization; and private sector partnerships. Partnership Schools also will focus on developing relationships with private industry.

International Republican Institute (IRI)

Majlis Capacity Building [Political] - Consortium for Electoral and Political Processes Support program will build on previous efforts to foster cooperation between two different Majlises through the training of staffers and other capacity-building activities.

Oman Association for Consumer Protection

Promoting Consumer Rights in Oman - This project enables the Oman Association for Consumer Protection to conduct information sessions for the public, obtain expertise from a U.S. counterpart organization, build their constituency, and establish networks with other consumer organizations in the region and the world.

Regional Programs

Omani 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]
• CEPPS - Parliamentary Assistance and Political Party Building [Political]
• Chugach - Middle East Finance Corporation Due Diligence [Economic]
• Chugach - Partnership Schools Due Diligence and Education Summit [Education]
• Civic Democratic Initiatives Support Foundation - Welfare Arab Reform Program [Political]
• CLDP - Commercial, Judicial, and Legal Reform [Economic]
• Creative Associates International - Partnership Schools Program [Education]
• ECA – English ACCESS Microscholarships [Education]
• ECA – U.S. Business Internships for Young Arab Women [Women, Political]
• 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]
• 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] 
• UNDP -  Global Democracy Barometer Project [Political]
• University of Michigan - Global Democracy Barometer Project [Political]