The AMEL Institute
The AMEL Institute leverages the power of technology to empower young changemakers, building knowledge and skills so that they can be more safe and effective. The aim is to transfer know-how from experienced activists and experts to bold and visionary young leaders who are taking action to build more open, safe and thriving societies. Equipped with these skills and strong networks of likeminded young leaders, AMEL trainees will be able to step up their change-making locally and nationally, while creating momentum regionally and globally to advance dignity and rights for all.
background
Launched in 2019, the AMEL Institute draws upon decades of experience in civic activism and proven training and empowerment projects for young changemakers developed by AMEL's leadership. Leveraging this experience, and that of renowned experts such as Prof. Larry Diamond of Stanford University, unparalleled online training programs have been created and piloted.
tracks
The AMEL Institute presently has two tracks of programs:
The Regional Track - online training program to equip the young generation of civil society activists in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) with practical knowledge and skills so that they can be more safe and effective. The training covers the topics of Human Rights, Gender Equity, Activist Safety & Self-Care (including mental health), Genocide Prevention (including case studies of the Holocaust and Darfur), Democratic Development, Nonviolent Movements, Peace & Conflict, and Communications for Activism (tools and techniques). The Spring 2024 iteration is taking place from April to June. In May the applications for the Summer program (early July-early September) will open - stay tuned for details!
The Tailored Track - programs tailored to a specific country, or specific mission-aligned topic(s). Past tailored programs include 100 Citizens for Social Cohesion, CommLeaders and Global Allyship, and current tailored programs include Sudan Democracy Action.
impact
The AMEL Institute fills critical gaps - while frontline activists are the best placed to lead change, most have knowledge gaps and have not had much activism training before participating in an AMEL course. Feedback collected from Institute trainees is consistently positive, with strong majorities affirming that our training helped them to become better activists and leaders. Read more about the impact of the Summer 2022 program in this independent evaluation report.
AMEL is currently scaling up its regional track to reach 500 civic activists per year with cohorts every Spring and Summer. Our Sudan Democracy Action Project also offers online training programs multiple times during the year, with hundreds of Sudanese young leaders in each cohort. We are also working to build new tailored programs, as well as additional courses, fellowships and more - stay tuned!