MEPI in Algeria
The following lists ongoing and completed programs in Algeria, as well as providing a link to Regional Programs, where an organization is working in two or more countries simultaneously. Wherever possible, we have provided a link to the organization’s home page.
Ongoing Programs
The following programs are specific to Algeria (unless otherwise identified). [MEPI reform pillars are listed parentheses].
ABA
Judicial Baseline Survey [Democracy] – The American Bar Association (ABA) is completing a baseline survey of the judiciary as part of a bilateral program that will work with the Algerian Ministry of Justice, the Judicial Training Institute, and the Judicial and Bar Associations, which will help inform development of future programming.
ASP Boudiaf
Acting for Social Development [Democracy] – This project is designed to strengthen the capacities of local NGOs working on democratic reform initiatives through training programs and targeted consultations. The program will also help establish networks between local NGOs and other members of civil society, government agencies, and the business community. The core of the program involves management and financial training for the managers of 40 NGOs working on such activities as human rights, women’s rights, and youth activities, with follow on consultations for ten of the NGOs to ensure that they are being effective in their work.
CARE
Cercle pour l’Action et Reflexion autour de l’Enterprise (CARE): Fundamentals of Economic Reform and the Global Market Training Sessions for Algerian Decision-Makers [Economic] – this grant is designed to build understanding and support for economic reform among those who mediate the public’s perceptions of economic reform issues but who themselves have little or no grounding in the most basic economic concepts. This project will include seminars, taught by an economist from the IMF or World Bank, covering the principles of a market economy, globalization, and trade, while focusing on the costs of not opening Algeria’s economy.
Information and Documentation Center on Women's and Children's Rights (CIDDEF)
Campaign to Sensitize Citizens to Political Party Positions on Women’s Issues – This grant provides support to help CIDDEF publicize the positions of Algerian political parties on issues such as domestic violence, women’s health, and employment ahead of the 2007 elections. After soliciting party views using a custom-designed questionnaire, CIDDEF will coordinate eight radio broadcasts with party members and hold a press conference to discuss the results. The grant also will fund the production and distribution of posters and flyers to educate citizens about party positions, stimulate interest in the elections, and provide concrete reasons for people to vote.
Partnership School Program (PSP) [Education] – In partnership with the Algerian Ministry of National Education this multi-year project is intended to 1) improve the effective teaching and learning of English-as-a-Foreign Language; 2) enhance the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education; and, 3) increase opportunities for partnerships between education institutions. The project and activities proposed under PSP are designed to complement one another, and to support and facilitate the ongoing capacity and reform efforts already underway by the Ministry of National Education, as well as a number of critical stakeholders – Ministry officials, administrators, inspectors, teachers, parents, students, and the private sector.
NDI
Coalition Building and Management Training for Political Partners [Democracy] – As part of a political party-strengthening program, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) is facilitating cooperation between political parties and civil society organizations and increasing public understanding of the electoral process in Algeria. The program goal is to enhance accountability and transparency of political parties and civil society organizations to better represent citizens' interests and advocate for political reform.
Management Consulting in Media Outlets [Democracy] – New York University (NYU) is partnering with the Journalism Development Group (JDG) and local news organizations to launch a program of media management consulting in Algeria and Morocco. This innovative program will assist local print outlets to improve journalism standards, profitability, independence, and objectivity in print media operations, addressing the need to create sustainable change in the media environment of the Middle East and North Africa.
Hocine Saadi
Algerian Women Today – Algerian film director Hocine Saadi is producing and widely distributing a documentary film describing the life and achievements of four Algerian women. The women include the president of a non-governmental organization (NGO) for the disabled, the publisher of an Arabic-language newspaper, the youngest deputy in the Algerian National Assembly, and one of the top newspaper editors in the country. Saadi will use this film to demonstrate how the role of Algerian women has changed since the violence that shook the country in the 1990s, as well as the ability of these women and others to affect positive change.
Ongoing Regional Programs
Algerian individuals or groups participate in the following programs, which take place in two or more countries in the region. [MEPI reform pillars are listed in parentheses.]
Completed Regional Programs
Completed Programs
The following, Algeria-specific programs, have already be completed. [MEPI reform pillars are listed in parentheses.]
Strengthening the Small and Medium Enterprise Sector in Algeria [Economic] – this grant supports the Algerian Chamber of Commerce in putting together a conference of Algerian small- to medium-enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs in agriculture, manufacturing, and chemicals that have the potential for export growth. Two U.S. experts in management and marketing will convene workshops on how SMEs can increase profits, expand operations, obtain financing, acquire foreign partners, and compete in a WTO market.
Cultural Association for the Promotion of Citizenship
Strengthening Democracy in Algeria [Democracy] – this grant to the “Cultural Association for the Promotion of Citizenship,” an Algerian NGO, enabled leading secular and moderate Muslim activists from all parts of Algeria the opportunity to exchange ideas and to develop a strategy for the political problems that face their country. Participants will develop a list of recommendations and projects for follow up and implementation as well as publish and distribute the proceedings of the conference.
Internet Policy Reform Project in Algeria [Democracy] – This program, implemented by the Internews Network Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI), includes a public-private dialogue around establishing a national policy strategy to advance Internet access and usage in Algeria. GIPI is working with private businesses and the Government of Algeria to develop and Internet policy framework consistent with international best practices.
Strengthening Women Entrepreneurs [Women, Economic] – By teaming with local partners, ISED Solutions is providing business technical assistance, business training, mentoring, access to business resources, and is facilitating a network of women business owners. This project is considering establishing a model women’s business development center (WBAC) in Algeria, as it has already done in Tunisia.
National Syndicate of Journalists
Training Ministry Spokespersons [Democracy] – this grant promoted greater government transparency and press responsibility by exposing ministry communication officials, journalists covering the Algerian government, and university journalism professors to the important role that ministry spokespersons play in disseminating information to the public. In conjunction with the “National Syndicate of Journalists,” U.S. experts offered training to spokespersons through a series of workshops.
Educational Partnership Program [Economic] – this grant will provide the Government of Algeria (GOA) with another tool to meet its ambitious education goals, by bringing a technical team of Sakai experts to Algeria to conduct a training workshop on the architecture of the software and the design of Sakai eLearning tools. Senior Sakai software architects and programmers will visit Algeria to conduct a series of training sessions to help build Algerian capacity to participate in the ongoing development and use of the Sakai system – a community source software development effort to design, build, and deploy a new collaboration and Learning Environment (CLE) for higher education.
Treasury Debt Reform Technical Assistance [Economic] – this program provides technical assistance to help the Government of Algeria develop its debt management strategy, monetary policy regime, and medium-term budget planning.
Algeria
MEPI in Algeria
Press Releases
Human Rights
Egypt
