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MEPI in Bahrain

Focusing on projects that help build capacity in Bahrain's local- and national-level legislative bodies and the country's judiciary branch, MEPI's steadfast support for democratic reform in Bahrain guides its activities in the country. Related but separate efforts have encouraged the government and civil society to address critical national issues, such as increasing the effectiveness of NGOs. To complement this work, MEPI focuses on advocacy and social service organizations, and increases their capacity to serve underrepresented groups such as women and youth. MEPI supports the growth and aspirations of Bahrain's civil society and has provided assistance on a number of projects designed and implemented by local civil society organizations.

Featured Highlights

  • A Group photo of the 22 fellows participating in the program in Syracuse
    New Cohort of Leaders for Democracy Fellows

    The seventh cohort of Leaders for Democracy Fellows arrived in the U.S. on March 18, kicking off the six-week long academic portion of their fellowship. The twenty-two Fellows are based at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs where they will complete coursework in democracy studies, conflict resolution, political mobilization, and communication. 

  • A group photo of the 17 Civic Education Leadership Fellows at the Department of State in Washington
    Civic Education Leaders Visit Washington

    The sixth cohort of the MEPI-funded Civic Education Leadership Fellows (CELF) visited the U.S. Department of State in Washington. The 13 Fellows – all university professors from the Middle East and North Africa – are completing three-month residencies at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University.  

  • Training workshop panelists in session
    Newly Established MENA CSOs Receive Mentorship and Support

    The MEPI-funded Support for Training, Advocacy, and Networking in Developing Democracies initiative, implemented by Partners for Democratic Change, is actively working to enhance the organizational development of nascent civil society organizations in the Gulf region. It is building stronger, more sustainable institutions to advance citizen interests and address important economic and social issues. 

  • A group photo of the trainees
    Middle East Legal Training Stimulates Study of International Commercial Law

    More than 40 students from 7 universities in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the UAE gathered to refine their skills in practical applications of commercial laws with a focus on arguing sample cases before arbitrators. The training was held February 10-14, at the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution in Abu Dhabi. 

  • A group photo of ALGreenIA team from Algeria
    MENA Students Enter Young Entrepreneurs Competition

    In 2012, over 5400 high school and university students from the Middle East and North Africa competed for spots on the MEPI-supported sixth annual INJAZ Al-Arab Young Entrepreneurs Competition. Seventy five students secured finalist spots for the competition which took place in November 2012 in Doha, Qatar.  

  • participants group photo
    Gulf Judicial Training Institutes improve training for judges, prosecutors, and attorneys

    Judicial training institutes in the Arabian Gulf region face a myriad of obstacles. Many have a very limited number of permanent staff to handle the increased workload while also addressing improvements in curricula and available technologies. They often face difficulty in recruiting qualified instructors to train judges, prosecutors, and attorneys.  

  • Two young women sitting side by side looking at a laptop screen with a third woman between them pointing at the screen explaining
    MEPI Partner Uses New Media to Inform Citizenry

    Through its Social Media|Social Action (SM|SA) project, MEPI partner IREX recently issued a solicitation to provide small grants to youth-serving non-governmental organizations (NGOs) interested in leveraging media tools and approaches to increase the outcomes and impact of their organizations’ activities. 

  • MEPI logo (© State Department)
    MEPI Launches 214 New Projects in 2012

    As of September 30, 2012 (the end of Fiscal Year 2012), MEPI awarded an unprecedented number of grants to international and indigenous organizations working throughout the Middle East and North Africa region. These grants reflect a large increase in civil society activities in MENA, and strong demand for MEPI support, especially in countries that recently experienced democratic transitions. 

  • Senator Jack Reed speaking behind a podium to a group of students with the American flag in the background
    Students Leaders Learn About Civil Society and Leadership

    A total of 118 undergraduate students from across the Middle East and North Africa participated in the 2012 MEPI Student Leaders Program in Washington, D.C. The program brings civically engaged students with outstanding academic achievements from universities throughout the region to the U.S. to study civil society, democratic participation, and leadership. 

  • A group of youth in a workshop session
    International Youth Activism Summit Promotes Cross-Border Collaboration

    In June 2012, MEPI partner Soliya convened an international summit during which thirty-four Fellows ages 20 to 30, from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East met to work together towards the betterment of their communities.  

  • graduation ceremony
    Young Bahraini Lawyers Improve Their Legal Skills

    In March and April 2012, 78 young Bahraini lawyers enhanced their legal skills through the Young Lawyers’ Skills course at the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute (JLSI) in Bahrain. These young men and women, having just finished their undergraduate education, were exposed for the first time to the practical skills a successful lawyer needs.  

  • A group photo of LDF fellows with Secretary Clinton sitting in the middle of front row
    Sec. Clinton Affirms Commitment to Supporting Arab Reformers

    MEPI’s 2012 Leaders for Democracy Fellows (LDF) met with Secretary Clinton on May 29th, following their participation in the Civil Society Strategic Dialogue town hall meeting earlier in the month. The Secretary praised the fellows’ reform-oriented activism and work in advancing civil society during an unprecedented time in the Arab world.  

  • Two men kneeling down drawing on a big white sheet of paper on the floor
    IFES and Arab Parliamentarians Work on Political Finance in MENA

    Recent electoral events in the MENA region have led to calls for greater transparency and accountability. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the Arab Region Parliamentarians Against Corruption are working on the MEPI-funded “Enhancing Transparency in Political Finance in the Arab Region” project to increase stakeholders’ awareness on issues relating to political finance. 

  • Two young women in a photo still from the “Voice from the Other Side”
    Young Activists Produce Films to Capture Change

    After extensive training in media production and community engagement provided by U.S.-based NGO Soliya and MEPI, 110 young civil society leaders throughout the Middle East and North Africa are harnessing the power of new media technologies to promote informed and constructive discourse on reform topics.