2012 MEPI Leaders for Democracy Fellowships

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut’s office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce the sixth year of the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship (LDF) program.

The LDF program advances political reform efforts in the Middle East and North Africa by providing emerging civic leaders and democracy activists the opportunity to spend several months in the United States to gain academic skills, practical experience, and networking opportunities with like-minded professionals.

This year the LDF project will take place between March 12 and June 1, 2012 and is hosted by Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in Syracuse, New York.  Fellowships will take place at institutions and organizations in Washington, D.C. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a Lebanese citizens living in Lebanon and between 25 to 40 years old as of March 1, 2012;
• Hold a bachelor’s degree;
• Have at least five years of experience in a political reform oriented field (e.g., civil society, rule of law, human rights, family law reform);
• Demonstrate a commitment to remaining in this field and a commitment to being a leader of positive change within Lebanon;
• Exhibit leadership skills and the capacity to apply the benefits of the program in Lebanon;
• Be fluent in English to function in a high-level academic and professional environment;
• Not have recently completed a similar program in the U.S., and not subject to J visa restrictions.

Applications: 

• Click here to download the application form (172 kb).
• Applications are due to the U.S. Embassy by November 14, 2011 – late submissions will not be considered.
• Applications can be hand-delivered or submitted electronically to BeirutPD@state.gov.

Candidates who do not have the Adobe Acrobat Professional should enter the information on the application, print, scan and send it to BeirutPD@state.gov.