AWLI Hosts Young Leaders Workshop

08/08/2009 Amman, Jordan - The Arab Women's Leadership Institute (AWLI) recently held a training workshop for young female leaders from 14 countries across the Middle East and North Africa. Hands on training activities and group exercises equipped participants with the skills needed to launch careers in civil society and local or national politics. Participants focused on collaborating on various regional issues, such as human rights, as a framework for building leadership, negotiation and communications skills. Professional trainers and IRI staff guided participants through strategic planning exercises and mock advocacy for community initiatives. The hands-on nature of the training resulted in strong relationships among participants, which will facilitate the knowledge-sharing and support networks that AWLI strives to create. AWLI supports the efforts of Arab women to increase women's participation in public life and the political process throughout the region. Through trainings and peer-to-peer networking, the Institute connects aspiring leaders to their counterparts in other Arab countries and helps them gain leadership, advocacy, management and governance skills enabling them to compete for leadership positions within their communities. AWLI is funded through a grant from the National Endowment for Democracy and is led by a Governing Board whose members include Ms. Tami Longaberger from the United States, Dr. Eman Al Hussein from Jordan, Dr. Sundus Abbas from Iraq, Dr. Wajeeha Sadiq Al- Baharna from Bahrain, Dr. Lily Feidy from Palestine, and Dr. Najat Zorrouk from Morocco.