Freedom House's Generation of Advocates Program Takes Off

As part of Freedom House’s New Generation of Advocates Program, seventeen fellows from Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt have been selected to take part in a training and exchange program focusing on strengthening advocacy skills. These emerging democratic leaders, who work as lawyers, bloggers, journalists, professors and human rights activists participated last early April in a training on civic education in Amman, Jordan. After this training, eleven fellows flied to the U.S while seven traveled to Europe.

In Washington D.C and Budapest, Hungary, these activists will spend a week visiting with governmental, nongovernmental and media organizations to learn how these institutions work in a democratic environment. Afterwards, the activists will be placed in fellowships with nonprofit organizations around the country and throughout Europe which work on advocacy campaigns, press freedom, torture prevention and community activism. The fellows’ final week will be spent back in Washington and Budapest, discussing their fellowships and determining how their experiences can be applied to their work at home.

The New Generation and Advocates program, funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)  supports young civil society activists who are working for peaceful political change in the Middle East and North Africa, primarily through professional fellowships in the U.S. and Central and Eastern Europe.

MEPI, which supports greater freedom and opportunity for people in the region, has devoted more than $293 million in four years to reformers so democracy can spread, education can thrive, economies can grow, and women can be empowered.