International Development Programs

• World Learning International Development Programs aim to bridge the gap between the desire for human development and the ability to achieve that goal.
• Programs with participants from more than 140 countries work to unlock the potential of individuals, communities and institutions to take charge of their own development.

En’am Malkawi

When En'am Malkawi graduated with a master's degree in American studies from the University of Jordan in 2005, she found herself in a difficult job market. Like many Jordanian students who specialize in liberal arts, Malkawi was unable to find a niche in the business sector, and she lacked the connections to land a government job.

Then in 2008, Malkawi received a job offer from an unlikely place. World Learning, impressed by Malkawi's knowledge of local community issues and experience working with youth, recruited her to coordinate the Engaging and Empowering Emerging Leaders in Universities Project. The two-year project—administered by World Learning on behalf of the United Nations Democracy Fund—promotes civic awareness and improves opportunities for Jordan's under-30 population – a demographic that comprises roughly 75 percent of the country.

"So many [youth in Jordan] are unemployed," said Malkawi, who at the age of 30 understands the challenges facing Jordan's younger generation, including limited job opportunities, gender discrimination, and negative influences from both traditional and modernist forces. "They have the will and the gift, but what they need is support, trust and the opportunity to make a difference in Jordan and their communities," she said.

Since the project launched in September 2008, Malkawi has worked with more than 500 Jordanian university students to organize programs that strengthen their democratic participation. Key activities include advocacy training, dialogues with government leaders, and the creation of youth networks. In addition to acquiring skills in networking, advocacy, and public speaking, these emerging leaders become more actively engaged in their communities.

"People think that we [the youth] don't read the newspapers. We don't work on developing ourselves. We don't know about local issues," Malkawi said. "But when I got involved in this project, I discovered that there are youth in Jordan who are not only educated, but who are really interested in changing their societies. It gives me hope."

The Emerging Leaders Project is special because it targets youth groups that have traditionally faced social barriers to participating in civic life. About 40 percent of the participants are young Jordanian women, while more than 60 percent hail from rural areas or towns outside the capital Amman, said Malkawi. Almost all of the emerging leaders grew up in less affluent families without special political or religious ties.

Since the project's inception, two of the emerging leaders have teamed up to start their own nonprofit organization, the International Young Leaders Dialogue Center, which connects and builds alliances among Jordanian youth. Other project participants organized service projects or interned in the nongovernmental sector with assistance from World Learning and its partner organization, the Jordanian Center for Civic Education Studies.

Malkawi credits World Learning for transforming her life and the lives of her peers. With the Emerging Leaders Project drawing to a close, Malkawi said she feels inspired to begin a project of her own.

"My dream is to establish my own institution or foundation for youth in Jordan," she said. The foundation will work with Jordanians of all backgrounds, and no one will ever be denied opportunities because they lack special connections or references.

Her only requirement? "It must be coordinated and managed by youth," she said.

By Michael Snyder

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