The Mideastwire Blog

Mideastwire is offering three programs this summer: The Beirut, Damascus and Gulf Exchanges May-July 2011. The Exchange is an effort by Mideastwire.com and its partners to promote engagement and understanding through a variety of city-focused, student conferences in and around the Middle East.  The first Exchange was launched in June 2008 in Beirut, Lebanon. Now, several years on, over 150 students from 40 different countries have participated, with many going on to work as diplomats in their home countries, for NGOs serving the region and as social entrepreneurs.

This year, we are offering the Gulf Exchange May 22-31 (in partnership with Project Encounter and the Dubai School of Government), the Beirut Exchange (in partnership with the Saifi Arabic Language Institute) June 12-26 and the Damascus Exchange July 2-16 (in partnership with The Syria Report).

*********
To view CNN on The Exchange, visit:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/01/21/perry.lebanon.meet.hamas.cnn?iref=videosearch

To view AFP on The Exchange, visit:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gZef3PX_pDvbKevGtqWY4j1gKSxQ?docId=CNG.aa064aec753e723fd36505d4adb65ada.ca1

To view The Exchange website and previous Programs, visit:

http://thebeirutexchange.com/

To view the Gulf Exchange website, visit:

http://www.projectencounter.org/gulf.exchange.html

To apply, or inquire about any of the Exchanges, email:
info@mideastwire.com

**********************
THE GULF EXCHANGE

The first Gulf Exchange will take place May 22-31, 2011. The application process is now open. The Gulf Exchange, a flagship initiative of Project Encounter, is a visit program for young influence-makers and future leaders primarily from North America and Europe to the UAE, Qatar, and the Gulf, with an integrated itinerary to deepen understanding of the political, economic, and social dimensions of the Middle East. It is organized in partnership with Mideastwire.com.

The 10-day program involves a high-level itinerary in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, consisting of meetings with leading companies, government officials, and civil society representatives. Participants will have closed-door sessions with some of the more high-profile figures in the Gulf, including CEOs, ministers, social leaders, journalists, and others. The integrated itinerary will also include a social and cultural immersion program, with a range of unique experiences organized just for participants of the Gulf Exchange.

The application process is open to current or recent graduate students, or young professionals, who show exceptional ability and professional promise. In rare cases, undergraduate students may be considered for the program on a case-by-case basis.

The initial deadline for the application is March 31, 2011. The second and final deadline for the application is April 15, 2011.

Costs:

The Gulf Exchange benefits from sponsors that help defray the costs borne by participants. Participants will have to pay for their own airfare from their home city to Dubai and will pay a subsidized rate for accommodations for the 11 nights ($600 for single accommodation, $300 for double occupancy). Other logistical costs and several meals will be covered by Project Encounter. Participants will be expected to arrange their own visas (most can receive visas on arrival to Qatar and the UAE). Pocket money for other meals, shopping and other expenditures will be needed, and participants will receive guidelines ahead of the trip.

For more details, please email apply@projectencounter.org

To apply, visit Project Encounter at http://www.projectencounter.org/gulf.exchange.html