Young Arab Leaders Share Civic Pride

When Héjeur Elloumi, a 20-year-old Tunisian student of English, met her friends in Abu Dhabi in February, conversation went far beyond good books and plans for spring vacation. She and several other young Arab leaders came together to present their civic education projects as part of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Student Leaders Alumni Conference.

The four-day conference, organized by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and MEPI offices, re-united 55 Arab students, aged 17 to 22, from 16 countries and the Palestinian Authority, who participated last summer in the Study of the United States Institute for Undergraduate Student Leaders program.

"From this experience, I learned that everything is possible," said Elloumi, a peer educator at an orphanage in Siliana, a rural, underdeveloped Tunisian city. "After returning from America, I felt that I had more self-confidence, that I could surmount most any challenge."

Elloumi and her fellow alumni spent six weeks of intensive study last summer at one of three U.S. universities -– Benedictine in Illinois, the University of Delaware, and Montana State. Now in its third year, this MEPI program introduces top-ranked students to aspects of America, while providing instruction in leadership, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.

Upon returning to their home countries, the students applied what they learned by leading community projects based on their areas of interest. Past projects have included starting a campus radio station, conducting leadership training seminars, and teaching classes to young children in a West Bank refugee camp.

The students were then brought together again in Abu Dhabi to present their projects, both to their peers and to 10 professors from the three hosting universities. During the conference  -- "Leadership and Civic Engagement" -- the students gained theoretical and practical knowledge from experts on such topics as youth in the political process, freedom of the press, and how to move from student leader to civic activist.

"Everything was great," said Elloumi, who enjoyed the opportunity to meet again with new friends from across the region. "If you are ready for an experience that will change your life, then apply for this program.”

For more information about the program, which will be offered in summer 2006, see Current Opportunities on the MEPI web site.