| Focus Area: |
Governance, Enterprise and Investment |
| Project: |
Arab Youth Development Program |
| Commitment By: |
Business for Diplomatic Action |
| Partner: |
Young Arab Leaders |
| Value: |
TBD |
Objective: To enlist the U.S. business community in the development of professional training initiatives, mentorships, partnerships, internships and business education for talented youth from the Middle East.
Commitment: Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA) and Young Arab Leaders (YAL) have agreed to work together to place qualified young people from the Middle East in 6-12-month internships in U.S. multinational corporations. An initial Arab-American Exchange will take place in New York in April or September 2006, bringing together 50 YAL members with top executives from the U.S. private sector, to establish growth opportunities for qualified interns from the Middle East.
Background: Business for Diplomatic Action is a private-sector effort, incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 2004, directed by preeminent communications, marketing, political science, global development, and media professionals. BDA’s mission is to build international bridges of mutual understanding and respect through business-led actions and initiatives. In 2005 BDA established a relationship with The Young Arab Leaders, whose mission is to identify, nurture and promote future Arab leaders in all sectors of society. A shared objective of the two organizations is to provide professional growth opportunities for Arab youth.
| Points of Contact: |
Mr. Keith Reinhard
President
Ms. Cari Eggspuehler
Executive Director
Business for Diplomatic Action
Business for Diplomatic Action |
| Geographic Scope: |
Initial focus on the UAE and USA, with plans to expand into the rest of the Arab World. |
| Anticipated Launch Date: |
April 2006 |
Update:
December 2005:
BDA members met with leaders of YAL in Dubai, December 2-4, 2005, to solidify next steps in the program.
February 2006:
An agreement was reached with YAL leadership to develop a research program with Zogby International ($32,000 in value) to better understand the hopes, aspirations and needs of educated young Arabs, and to ascertain their perceptions of how American companies can potentially help them achieve their life goals and what programs and other commitments can be made to aide in this process.
March 2006:
A formal public announcement of Business for Diplomatic Action and Young Arab Leaders youth development initiative was made.
June-July 2006:
Thanks to funding from ExxonMobil and PepsiCo Middle East, Zogby International is conducting one-on-one interviews with 200 young Arabs throughout the United Arab Emirates. The outcome of the interviews will provide useful information for shaping meaningful and productive internships with U.S. companies. We continue to plan a September 18-19 dinner and workshop that will bring 100 young Arabs and 100 U.S. business executives together to network and finanalize professional growth opportunities for Arabs in the United States.