Fellowship Stories Archive
From DC to Philly
By Kholoud Mansour
The fabulous road from New York to DC brought peace of mind a necessary time for some reflection on the first three days of the fellowship. The Executive Director for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dean of the Board Mr. Abdulrahman M. Almofadhi, Special Advisor Mr. Adnan Hassan, and the Conseiller Principal Samir [...]
Inspirational Journey by H.E Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa Ambassador to the United States
By Kholoud Mansour
Generously and heartedly, the UNAoC MENA fellows were invited to a gracious lunch at the residence of South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E Ebrahim Rasool. As the Ambassador speaks, we couldn’t afford but to listen vigilantly, absorb each word, and learn endless spiritual, political, and religious lessons. Keeping a distance from [...]
New York: Kick Start, Fast Pace
By Kholoud Mansour & Nayla Hajjar
The UNAOC fellows’ spring 2012 are holding unlimited expectations, objectives, and dreams. The appeal of the two-week intensive program included two continents (US & Europe), four countries (USA, Germany, Belgium, & France), and six cities (New York, DC, Philadelphia, Berlin, Brussels, and Paris). As the fellows are coming from the [...]
Meditation in Jeddah
By Cedric Baecher
The word “Jeddah” has three different meanings, all relevant to the actual reality of the city: “flat land”, “located next to the sea” and “grandmother”. Isn’t it the very place where the tradition says Eve was buried?
In the evening fresh breeze, carrying flavors from all over the world brought by pilgrims, merchants and [...]
8 April 2012 – Day 6 – Amman, Jordan – Looking back and rounding off Morocco
By Allan Siao Ming Witherick
We’ve already finished our first day in Jordan and having had such energetic speakers we’re keen to move on to the articles but the flood of knowledge continues unabated.
Sometimes I feel that, where once upon a time I knew that I was a sponge, ready and available to soak up and [...]
Impressions of Morocco
By Cédric Baecher
English version followed by French version (Français)
We were briefed from the beginning… Morocco is an enigma. A passageway between two continents and a thousand influences, its Sovereign enjoys describing the Kingdom as a tree with roots in Africa, a trunk in a changing Maghreb and branches in Europe. This “environmental” metaphor, [...]
6 April 2012 – Day 5 – In the air or on the ground…
With just a few hours sleep after our return from the British Council reception, some escaped out to explore their last few moments in Morocco, before we then mounted up to get to the airport in the middle of a downpour.
Although we were spread across the plane we still found time to come together…
A brief [...]
5 April 2012 – Day 4 – Casablanca, Morocco – Protect or Defend?
By Allan Siao Ming Witherick
Whilst at one of the largest Mosques in the world we were privileged to visit the Koranic school and hear about how the Koran and Islam were taught to those who would go on to roles such as Imams and Ulama (learned persons). And indeed, even though it was a short [...]
5 April 2012 – Day 4 – Casablanca, Morocco – The difficult questions
By Rabah Ghezali
We visited the Moroccan Institute of International Relations (Institut Marocain des Relations Internationales) to have an overview of the foreign policy issues interesting Morocco. The President of the institute received us and explained us the purpose of his organisation and his views on Moroccan foreign policy.
We discussed the decision making process in Morocco [...]
5 April 2012 – Day 4 – Casablanca, Morocco – Seats of learning
By Toni Panetta
One of the most fulfilling parts of the UNAOC Fellowship Programme is making new friends who bring a depth of expertise on a variety of countries and topics. The formal program so far has acted as more of a catalyst for conversations within our group where individuals who are more familiar with the [...]
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