Students
15-20 Iraqi university students

Program
New Technologies and Contemporary Issues

When
Summer 2008

Staffing
3-4 student mentors

University of Arizona's Center for Middle Eastern Studies and Department of Journalism win grant to host Summer Institute for Iraqi university students

The Iraq Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP) is funded by the US Department of State and awarded to World Learning, Inc. (www.worldlearning.org).  The University of Arizona is one of six host institutions across the US.  Each institution will host 15-20 Iraqi university students for 4 1/2 weeks and provide an integrated academic program of a different theme.

The IYLEP Summer Institute at UA, “New Technologies and Contemporary Issues”, will offer Iraqi student leaders an opportunity to gain leadership skills in garnering community support and advocating for pressing contemporary social issues.  The Institute will be divided into two issues seminars; one will focus on Multiculturalism in the Southwest , and the other on Water and Desert Environments . These two topics were chosen for their importance in this region of the US and for the ease of transferability to related issues facing Iraq.

Through intensive multi-media training the student participants will gain hands-on experience in the use of cutting-edge technologies to develop issue-specific websites, PowerPoint presentations, and photo slide shows to reach broad audiences. The skills and knowledge gained through the summer institute will be easily transferable and create a cadre of leaders who can return home to support local communities and raise awareness of critical issues in Iraq.

Students will also engage in workshops and trainings to build leadership skills through a partnership with the UA Center for Leadership and Social Change. These workshops will emphasize cooperative leadership, community engagement, and offer critical perspectives on leadership in various social contexts.

Christian Sinclair (Center for Middle Eastern Studies) and Maggy Zanger (Department of Journalism) are the co-directors for the IYLEP Summer Institute.

If you are interested in hosting an Iraqi student for a weekend in August (Aug 2 & 3), please send us an email.  Put "IYLEP Homestay" in the subject line.  We will send you more information.