Saudi Arabia
MEPI in Saudi Arabia
MEPI works with local organizations to support Saudi reforms to improve education, the situation of women, economic development, civic participation, and the rule of law. By strengthening ties between U.S. and Saudi governmental, academic, and civil society institutions, MEPI helps support those in the Kingdom who are working to expand economic opportunities, improve government responsiveness and build the capacity of its citizens to contribute to their nation's future.
Featured Highlights
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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.
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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.
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In Saudi Arabia, MEPI and Freedom House bring the Courtroom to Eager Women Lawyers
Despite a recent government reform that allows Saudi women to attend law school, women lawyers in the country are still unable to represent clients in the courtroom. To help these women get the crucial legal training and practice that would otherwise come from courtroom experience, Freedom House is working with local partners in Saudi Arabia to help prepare young women lawyers to be effective advocates.
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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.
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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.
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Women Lawyers Receive Hands-On Training through WILpower
Twenty-six young women lawyers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen recently came together in Jordan to participate in the September WILpower workshop, which featured a moot court competition among other skill-building exercises.