This week the Summer 2021 cohort kicked off at the AMEL Institute! Gathering 250 young organizers from all over Africa and the Middle East, the AMEL Summer 2021 program focuses on how activists can carry out their human rights work more safely and effectively. Out of hundreds of applications, cohort participants were selected based on their activism experience, commitment and visions for advancing rights and dignity for all.

Ranging in age from 18 to 35, the average age of selected activists is 26.6 years old. Coming from 32 countries across Africa and the Middle East, 52.4% identify as female, 47.2% as male and 0.004% as gender queer. Most bring several years of activism into the program. What they are seeking--that the AMEL Institute distinctly provides through digital delivery of both independently-accessed content and facilitated group discussions--is the know-how, tools and networks to take their activism to the next level. The topics we'll be covering over the next six weeks include:

Human Rights
Activism Safety and Self-care
Holocaust Education & Genocide Prevention
Conflict Transformation
Non-violent movement building
Democratic Development and Transitions
Gender Equality
Leveraging communication tools and strategies in activism

Stay tuned throughout the Summer for inspiring stories and innovative impact from the AMEL Institute!