​Leaders for Democracy Fellows arrive on Grounds

Cavalier Daily

NEWSCenter for Politics to host fellows for five weeks



by Mairead Crotty
| Mar 01 2017 | 03/01/17 1:33am

















Twenty-three nonprofit, journalist and civic leaders from 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa arrived in Charlottesville Feb. 18 to participate in the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship. The University’s Center for Politics Global Perspectives on Democracy Program operates the fellowship in Charlottesville.The goal of the fellowship — sponsored by the Department of State’s U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative — is to provide civic leaders with experience and practical skills they can use when they return to their home countries. For five weeks the fellows participate in workshops and design a civic action plan for Charlottesville that will serve as a model for projects in their own communities. The fellows remain in Charlottesville until March 26, and after they go to Washington, D.C. to participate in internships for eight weeks. The internships are coordinated by World Learning, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people, communities and institutions around the world. The fellows will be placed in organizations related to their interests. Maram Suleiman, from Amman, Jordan, works for Oxfam and volunteers with the World Youth Alliance. She said her passion is working for youth and women’s rights, and she applied to the program to learn different advocacy strategies. “I’m hoping to gain more tools to work with youth and gender, especially men’s enrollment in women’s rights projects,” Suleiman said. “ I’m hoping I will have some new ideas and initiatives that I can work on as a personal level and in my community with youth and the people in my network. Maybe our project will open more doors for grants or sponsors and donors.”The fellows have participated in workshops and seminars, such as a briefing on U.S. politics by Center for Politics Director and Politics Prof. Larry Sabato Tuesday. ...

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