THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE
Cordially Invites You to
Aspiring for True Democracy:
The Role of Women and Youth
in the Arab Spring
with
Dr. Azza Kamel
Egypt
Dr. Kamel is the director of Appropriate Communication Techniques for Development (ACT), the winner of NDI’s 2011 Madeleine K. Albright Grant. Over the past 18 years, she has worked tirelessly as a women rights activist. Since the fall of the Mubarak regime, ACT has worked to ensure women’s voices are included in the transition process.
Dr. Amal Habib Al Yusuf
Bahrain
A member of the Al Wefaq political society, Dr. Al Yusef is also an activist and ophthalmic surgeon who focuses on defending the rights of Bahraini patients and health care workers. She was one of the medics trapped in the main hospital in Bahrain during a siege by military forces earlier this year.
Rafat Al Akhali
Yemen
Mr. Al Akhali is a youth activist who returned to Yemen from Canada to participate in the revolution. He is a leader in Resonate! Yemen, an organization that promotes youth engagement on policy initiatives.
As the Arab Spring has moved across the Middle East and North Africa, grassroots calls for democratic reform have opened avenues for increased political participation by traditionally marginalized groups. Youth and women, often at the vanguard of the reform movements, have seized platforms to present their visions for the future of their countries. But in many instances they face barriers to achieving decision- and policy-making roles, particularly within traditional political institutions. Panelists will discuss the significant role women and youth played in the recent movements for change and what challenges lie ahead for sustained political engagement.
Facilitated by
Barrie Freeman
NDI Director, North Africa
Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011
12 – 1:30 p.m.
National Democratic Institute
455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
Please register by Monday, Nov. 7
at http://www.ndi.org/events_rsvp
Lunch will be served
