U.S.-MENA EXPERIENTIAL PARTNERSHIP


The U.S. – MENA Experiential Partnership is a one of a kind, pioneering initiative led by the Arab American Institute Foundation (AAIF), with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). The Experiential Partnership aims to immerse and provide newly-elected officials in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with exposure to the types of government entities that engender transparency, good governance and financial independence. This pioneering experiential program pairs distinguished current and former Arab American public servants and policy practitioners with officials in the MENA region, for an innovative, year-long, hands-on learning co- mentorship exchange. The program champions three core themes: decentralization, participatory governance, and public private partnerships. It also argues the case for the importance of volunteer service.

Programmatically, the Partnership comprises an experiential learning trip to Morocco, a training trip to the United States, as well as moderated coaching seminars on policy- pertinent issues. A cornerstone of the Partnership is working with MENA officials to develop relevant, community-focused policy projects with seed funding.
The inaugural cohort of the Experiential Partnership was launched in 2019 in Tunisia, with great successes, including launching The MENA Artisan Initiative, and developing and funding 4 policy projects serving 3 Tunisian cities. AAIF hopes that the best practices and successes of the Tunisian cohort can be replicated throughout the Middle East and North Africa region.
Morocco’s selection for the expansion of the U.S. – MENA experiential partnership is a recognition of the country’s commitment to democracy, transparency and an empowered citizenry.

Download the press release below

Invitation Letters

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