MEPI Civic Education and Leadership Fellowship

The Civic Education and Leadership Fellowship (CELF) program provides an opportunity for academics in the social sciences from the Middle East and North Africa to engage in 4-month residencies at the Maxwell School for Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. The program includes both group seminars and individually-tailored components for each participant.  The objectives of the program are to:
•    promote democracy and international standards in social science education at the university policy level; and,
•    enhance the quality of civic education through improved curricula development and delivery, increased institutional capacity, and expanded student and faculty engagement.


PROGRAM DETAILS:

Implementer: Syracuse University - Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Countries targeted:  Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE, and Yemen.


WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The program is open to individuals working at an accredited institution of higher education with at least 5 years of experience working in social science disciplines, including political science, public administration, law, media, journalism, and communications. Applicants that hold Ph.D. degrees (completed or in progress) are preferred. However, the minimum educational requirement for candidates is a completed Master’s degree in one of the aforementioned fields. Applicants must have English language fluency to participate successfully in a high-level academic and professional environment. This program is subject to J-1 visa restrictions. At the time of application and while participating in the program, fellows must be citizens of the countries listed in the “Program Details” section above and cannot hold U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident.

Applicants must demonstrate: a commitment to improving the quality and capacity of educational institutions in the region and in their fields of study; leadership skills; the capacity to apply opportunities presented in this program in a way that would benefit institutions, organizations and/or communities; and the desire to remain working in their field of study for the foreseeable future.

HOW DO PARTICIPANTS APPLY?

Participants are nominated by targeted Posts, which are requested to advertise and recruit for qualified candidates. Posts then submit ranked nominations, with resumes and essays, by email to MEPI. A complete application includes an updated resume and two essays of no more than 500 words each, written in English, which answer the following:
•    What hopes and plans do you have for improving the quality and capacity of your educational institution in your field of study? How do you see yourself leading this change?
•    What are the prospects for greater civic engagement in solving social problems and fostering participatory democracy in your country, and what role do you see yourself and your institution playing in this regard?


Recruitment is now closed for the Spring 2013 term.