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The Middle East and North Africa

MS ActionAid Denmark works to increase young people's participation in the civil society in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as well as in Denmark. Part of this is promoting cross cultural understanding and respect between youth in the countries.

Strengthening youth participation

“This was the best experience that I’ve ever been through, there were many things that I’ve learned, many things in my life were affected in a way or in another, and I have totally changed my thoughts and opinions about the West in general and especially Denmark”

Ibrahim I. Ayeshn, Jordanian participant in youth exchange with Denmark

From the regional office in Jordan, MS ActionAid Denmark coordinates and facilitates projects aimed at strengthening youth groups and youth organizations. The aim is to create possibilities for young people to work on positive change and to put their own dreams into action. This takes many forms, from international seminars on youth leadership, to theater and dance workshops, debate clubs and the provision of space for the youth to meet and organize. The overall mission is to strengthen the role of the young generation though participation and raising awareness.

Along with the above-mentioned focus on empowerment and mobilization, the office also puts a lot of work into promoting dialogue among the youth from the region and young Danes. By joining and cooperating on projects in Denmark and the Middle East, an intercultural exchange takes place, which is important in order to break down stereotypes and barriers.

News

More news

27 June 2010

Official launch of MS programme in Zarqa, Jordan

16 June 2010

Global Platform in Jordan

25 May 2010

Four Young Arabs in Copenhagen

05 April 2010

Looking back on 4 months in Lebanon

24 March 2010

Do You Genderalise?

10 March 2010

Current volunteers in the MENA region

08 March 2010

Jordan: Two generations reflect on women's rights

25 February 2010

Hope of change mediated through alternative media

Our work in the MENA region

MS ActionAid Denmark focuses on three priority areas in building bridges for youth issues in the Middle East, North Africa and Denmark:

- Engaging young people in civil society issues and strengthening their ability to organize advocate and act by themselves.

- Promoting cross-cultural understanding and dialogue by giving youth from both Denmark and the MENA region a chance to meet and interact.

- Supporting partnerships between youth groups in the MENA region and Denmark, thereby learning from each other's knowledge and experience.

In dept with the priority areas

A separate, but very important, cross cutting issue in the program is gender equality. MS ActionAid Denmark has developed a gender strategy that promotes individual empowerment of young women and equal participation of young women and men in all youth mobilization activities of the organization.

Our gender strategy in MENA (pdf)

Learn more about the situation in the Middle East and our focus on youth
Documents

Official launch of MS programme in Zarqa, Jordan

27 June 2010 On the 26th of May the official launch of MS ActionAid Denmark’s program in Zarqa took place. The aim of the day was to create awareness of the work of MS and its strategic partners in Jordan.

Global Platform in Jordan

16 June 2010 This spring the Regional Office of MS ActionAid Denmark (MS) in Amman turns into a Global Platform for the MENA region. This expansion will lead to many new activities and opportunities for cultural exchange and training of young people from all over the world.

Four Young Arabs in Copenhagen

25 May 2010 The first weekend in April 2 young Palestinians and 2 young Syrians travelled to Copenhagen to participate in the 6 day long International Leader Training Seminar organized by MS. Here is a postcard from the four young Arabs.

Looking back on 4 months in Lebanon

05 April 2010 My stay in the Burj Ash-Shamali Camp in Tyre, Lebanon, involved everything from warm new friendships, frustration about the miserable conditions within the camps and magnificent cultural and religious experiences.

Do You Genderalise?

24 March 2010 Can a girl make it as a rapper? Can a man be accepted as a belly dancer? Around 25 young men and women gathered Thursday evening to break down stereotypes about the two sexes.

Current volunteers in the MENA region

10 March 2010 Since the start of February six young Danes have been placed in the MENA region in three different organizations which all aims at empowering youth.

Jordan: Two generations reflect on women's rights

08 March 2010

Hope of change mediated through alternative media

25 February 2010 The 4th of February 30 young people ended the third round of shows with a great performance in the largest center of culture in Zarqa. The 30 participants have participated in setting up the show, writing the lyrics and the texts.

Blogs

http://gazoom.lucasnielsen.dk/

Lucas is based in Gaza supporting MS’ partner organisation Sharek Youth Forum in developing initiatives for youth
(By: Lucas Nielsen, Inspirator, April – December 2010)

Mussiniksi.blogspot.com (Danish)
Rasmus and Nikolaj have been volunteers in Palestine in three months. Beautiful and thought-provoking pictures and anecdotes from the Westbank.
(By: Rasmus D. Skavlan & Nikolaj H. Mortensen, Volunteers, Spring 2010)

Arabized Thoughts and Experiences... (English)
I want to use the opportunity of living in Jordan to add nuance and perspective to the country, the cultures and the people in it, to add a personal dimension and to illustrate what it actually feels like being here.
(By: Laura T. Nielsen, Intern in Amman, Spring 2010)

Marhaba Denmark! (English & Danish)
Stationed in Amman - I will tell about my life and work here. Important information, small observations and the daily life in general...
(By: Camilla Juul Bjørn, Intern in Amman, Autumn 2009)