Legislative Fellowship
The Legislative Fellows Program 2011-2013 (LFP-MENA) links community leaders from the United States, Kuwait, and Oman, Egypt, and Morocco. This two-year program supports young professionals from the Middle East and North Africa, builds capacity in local Civil Service Organizations (CSO), and strengthens mutual understanding of the legislative and policy making processes in all countries.
| Congressional / NGO Fellowship Program (Spring 2012) | Election / Campaigning Program (Fall 2012) |
| Based in Washington DC, this program will focus on public accountability, legislative procedures, and relationships between government, citizens and NGOs. Fellowship placements for each fellow will provide first hand direct experience of day-to- day workings in the U.S. Congress and major civil society organizations. | This program will focus on elections, campaigns, and political awareness and will take place during the U.S. 2012 elections. There will be 8-9 days of training in Washington DC, followed by 12 days of field work on campaigns in Pennsylvania, Maryland or Virginia, and North Carolina. |
We are now accepting applications for the 2012 program. Apply online.
Applications due: 9 January 2012.
Reciprocal Components
Travelers from the United States with whom the fellows interact during the program will travel to Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait and Oman to learn first-hand about the situation there, provide assistance and participate in a mutual exchange of knowledge.
U.S. delegates will be selected from among the mentors and hosting organizations and Congressional offices. they will travel to the region for a about seven to 14 days. American travelers will attend orientation sessions prior to departing the United States during which they will learn about host country culture and review details of the itinerary.
Previous LFP program
Legacy successfully implemented the Legislative Fellows Program in 2009-2011, bringing 18 delegates from Kuwait and Oman to the U.S. and sending two delegations of American fellows to the region. Pictures from the first LFP program are below:
U.S. Delegates Trip to Kuwait and Oman (December 2010)
Fmr. Congressmen Scott Klug and Larry LaRocco talk with Dr. Aseel Al-Awadhi, one of the first four women to be elected to the Kuwaiti Parliament.
U.S. delegation at the Kuwaiti Women's Cultural and Social Society.
The U.S. delegation with LFP alumna and Managing Director of Tawasul, Omani think tank.
U.S. Delegation relaxes at GUST University, Kuwait.
In front of the Sultan's Palace, Muscat, Oman (L-R: Hon. Larry LaRocco, Riyadh Al-Balushi, Hon. Scott Klugg, Sarah Al-Sharji).
Delegation visits the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat, Oman.
LFP alumnae Sarah Al-Sharji gives Hon. Larry LaRocco a tour of downtown Muscat, Oman.
U.S. delegates at the Ministry of Legal Affairs in Oman.
U.S. delegates meet with Injaz (Gulf Junior Achievement) coordinator.
Delegation is hosted by the minister and LFP alumni at the Ministry of Legal Affairs in Oman.
LFP Alumna Abdullah Al-Awadhi and Hon. Scott Klugg enjoy traditional Kuwaiti food.
Delegation at the home of U.S. Ambassador Deborah Jones in Kuwait.
At the Ambassadorial residence in Kuwait.
Former Members of Congress and Abdullah Al-Awadhi (Chief of Staff for Kuwait MP Dr. Aseel Al-Awadhi) speak at GUST University.
U.S. delegation and LFP alumni "camping" in the Kuwaiti desert.
Dean of the Law School of Kuwait University host's Legacy's delegation.
LFP Program Slideshow (Fall 2010 delegation)
Mariam (Kuwait) explores the Farmer's Market in Arlington, VA.
Basmah (Oman) and other LFP fellows discuss the election process with volunteers from Jim Moran's Campaign.
Fellows "discover" basil and other herbs from home in the gardens of Thomas Jefferson's historic home, Monticello.
Mashael, Saara, and Abdullah at WSLS10, Lynchburg affiliate of NBC, where they learned about media coverage of the local election.
Najat and Saara from Kuwait enjoyed exploring New York, New York.
Congratulations! Fellows hold up their plaques at the farewell reception in the Capitol.
USFMC executive director, Pete Weichlein, with Frm. Congressman, Hon. Scott Klug (R-WI), and Abdullah Al-Awadhi, from Kuwait.
Legacy partner, USFMC co-hosted the LFP program's opening reception at The Washington Center.
Ahmed Al-Masharafi (Oman) gets to know his mentor, Hon. Fmr. Congressman Phil English (R-PA).
LFP fellows met with Congressional Candidate for Virginia's 6th district, Jeff Vanke.
Fellows (L-R: Ali, Ahmed, Khalid, Abdullah, and Mashael) enjoyed their tour of New York, including great views of the city.
Fellows spent one of their last afternoons at Monticello, the historic home of founding father, Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Va.
Abdullah Al-Awadhi (Kuwait) is interviewed on the Lawn in front of the Capitol.
Mariam Al-Shemail meets her mentor, Hon. Martin Frost (D-Tx) and Fmr. Congreesman, Hon. Jack Beuchner (R-Mo.), for the first time at the welcome reception.
Khalid Al-Haribi (Oman) sits at the WSLS10 new desk with reporter Scott Leeman.
Mashael Al-Hijri presents to her colleagues on her plans to implement new project upon her return to Kuwait University where she is a professor of Comparative Law.
LFP fellows met Joan Foster, the first woman mayor of Lynchburg, Va. in City Hall.
Saara and Najat (Kuwait) get tips from a Washington Center intern on life and work in D.C. at the welcome reception.
Their last night on Capitol Hill, fellows caught a beautiful sunset on the steps of the Capitol.
Co-Chairs: Hon. Larry LaRocca (D-Id) and Hon. Scott Kug (R-Wi) introduce fellows to the in's and out's of working on "The Hill" at an orientation session in the Capitol.
Fellows sit in on a session on the role of lobbyist and interest group at the law firm of Hon. Jim Slattery.
LFP is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and administered by Legacy International with assistance from the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, and multiple in-country partners from the MENA region.
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