MEPI in Qatar

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.

Qatar Programs

Qatar Media Services

Advancing Qatari Women in Media - Through this project, Qatar Institution for Media Services (QMS) will train female media professionals to improve their abilities and expand their participation in the media industry.  150-200 participants (journalists, editors, trainers, media professionals, and activists) will attend a series of workshops on societal, traditional, and religious views of women in journalism, and the role of Qatari media in supporting and advancing women participation. QMS will draft and present an “action plan” to the Majlis as-Shura, government and media agencies, requesting specific actions to strengthen women’s participation in the media industry.  In addition to developing a stronger public support for women participation, the first Qatari Journalists Assembly will be created to strengthen the role of Qatari women in the democratic process through the development of strategies to eliminate the obstacles that hinder their participation.

Dr. Kaltham Al Ghanem

Civic Activism for Labor Reform: Advocacy to Uphold and Improve Qatar’s Labor Laws - Much of the vast population of foreign workers in Qatar encounters labor practices and conditions that are not in keeping with international standards.  However, foreign workers have little recourse for improving their conditions, and the Qatari public is largely unaware or unconcerned with labor conditions that contravene Qatari law or international standards.  Through this project, international experts will examine and report deficiencies, make recommendations to address them, and then provide training and support to a volunteer coalition of civil society, academic, labor, and private sector leaders to win government and public support for needed improvements.  The coalition’s advocacy efforts will seek improved compliance with existing laws and regulations, and legislative reforms necessary to meet international labor standards.

Abdul Rahman Al Najdi

Qatari Youth Promote Democratic Engagement through Film- Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Najdi, a renowned filmmaker and critique in Qatar, in conjunction with Al-Jisrah Club and Doha Youth Center, will give comprehensive, hands-on training to 10 young Qatari amateurs, resulting in their production of short films reflecting youth perspectives on specific national issues, or on the broader issue of the role of youth in their country’s democratic development.  The films will screened and discussed in a series of seminars, and will be posted on the internet where they will be the basis for an on-line discussion forum between youth and the film-makers.  The project will provide youth-made films that examine youth perspectives and issues, and public and web-based forums where youth can then engage in the thought, discussion, and examination of issues that the videos will trigger.  

The Childhood Cultural Center (CCC)

Student Parliaments in Action - In ten Qatari schools, the Childhood Cultural Center (CCC) will establish and train Student Parliaments, train teachers to deliver democracy and human rights lessons in their classrooms, and teach principles of democracy and human rights to students and teachers. They will also train a cadre of 20 university-aged Qatari youth to work with student Parliamentarians as facilitators and mentors.  The CCC will be assisted by a Jordanian organization that has successfully implemented a similar MEPI-funded project in Jordan.

Arabic Cultural Center for Training and Consultancy

Activation of Women’s Role in Democracy Consolidation and Realization of Supremacy of Law - The Arabic Culture Center for Training and Consultancy seeks to educate Qatari women on the fundamental tenets of democracy; increase their awareness of their basic rights; motivate them to pursue these rights; get them engaged in political, economic and social activities; teach them to make strategic life decisions; and empower them to combat political and economic corruption.  The project will train a group of 30 selected Qatari women student and professional leaders over a 6-month period to become civic activists in one or more of the above issue areas. 

Moza Al Maliki Training & Consultation Center   

Promoting Political Participation of Women in Qatari Society - Moza Al Maliki Training and Consultation Center will educate 40 Qatari university women on democratic values and the importance of female political participation in a 4-week training course. Selected program participants will initiate and lead working groups and activities on these topics on campus, and participate in women get-out-the-vote efforts in Qatar ahead of 2007 parliamentary elections.

Regional Programs

Qatari 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]
• 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] 
• UNDP -  Global Democracy Barometer Project [Political]
• University of Michigan - Global Democracy Barometer Project [Political]