A group of 12 to 15 candidates will gain real-world exposure to the media, culture, politics, civil society, and religion of several countries in the other region during the course of their 15-18 day visit. During the inaugural phase of the program, emerging leaders from Muslim countries will visit countries in Europe and the United States; while leaders from North America/Europe are expected to visit one country in the Mashreq, one country in the Maghreb, and one country in the Gulf.
An alumni network of Fellowship candidates will then be setup upon completion of the trip to share observations, perspectives, and insights on the experience and ways to improve cultural relations between the countries. We hope to build a strong network of leaders knowledgeable on this reality of issues related to relations between North Africa and the Middle East and Europe and North America
Overview
The UNAOC Fellowship Programme was created recognizing the need to build bridges between cultures and societies through dialogue and cooperation and to reinforce the political will and collective commitment to live together by strengthening mutual awareness and respect. It is intended to contribute in particular to a better mutual knowledge and understanding between peoples and societies from Muslim-majority countries, mainly from the Arab World, and from Europe and North America. The programme therefore allows emerging leaders from each of these societies serious opportunities to get acquainted with the diverse realities and cultural environments of the others, is a particularly powerful and experiential approach to dialogue, increasing mutual understanding, and improving intercultural relations.
Project Partners
The Federal Foreign office of Germany and developed in partnership with the League of Arab States, the British Council, ISESCO, Qatar Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations and the Institute for International Education are the operating partners with the UNAOC on the Fellowship Programme. The UNAOC recently signed an agreement with its partners on the occasion of its Group of Friends meeting in New York on September 26, 2009 to officially launch the Fellowship Programme.
The Fellowship Programme is made possible through monetary and in-kind support from Arab, European, and North American sources. As a young professionals’ exchange initiative, the Fellowship Programme is singular in this regard. Support from diverse quarters furthermore ensures that the Fellows view partaking in the programme not simply as an opportunity to enhance their careers, but as a means to engage in meaningful exchange on a truly equitable platform.
For more information on the program, please contact AOCfellow@unops.org.
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