Building Bridges of Understanding between America and the Arab World

Manama, Bahrain, 6th May, 2009: Young Arab Leaders (YAL) today announced that it has started accepting applications for the YAL Arab American Business Fellowship (AABF) 2009.

Launched in 2007, the Fellowship is a programme aspiring to train as well as develop the skills of promising young leaders, from the Middle East and the United States through two key elements- education and learning.

The YAL AABF is a partnership between the Young Arab Leaders (YAL), Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA), the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy (USCCD), and the National U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC).

This programme is in line with YAL's goal to created employment opportunities through developing education, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills in the Arab Youth.

AABF encourages the development of a dialogue between Arab business executives and their American counterparts, creating an environment in that informed opinions and knowledge flows in both directions. AABF is structured for high-potential executives from participating Arab and U.S. companies and not an internship programme for students or entry-level employees.

The highly competitive programme that is scheduled to take place in October 2009, will accommodate 20 Arab Fellows this year. Selected Fellows will be hosted by leading international corporations in the USA, such as Dow Chemical Company, Time Warner, NASDAQ, Microsoft and Boeing. Similarly, their American counterparts will visit Dubai School of Government, Global Investment House and DubaiLand to name a few.

The ideal candidate would be an Arab living and working in the MENA region with the following characteristics:

  • A young professional with proven academic skills and at least 5 years of work experience

  • Between 25 and 35 years of age

  • Committed to return to their country and contribute to the socio-economic development of their country through implementing new skills and knowledge acquired from the programme

  • Established in a career, with a track record of excellence and achievement, and the prospect of becoming a leader in his/her chosen field

  • Demonstrate at an interview that they possess the personal qualities to benefit from the programme and use it to succeed in their chosen career

  • Have a clear idea how their participation will benefit their country upon their return 

Application requirements:

  • An updated curriculum vitae

  • Letter of recommendation from employer

  • 2000 words statement of intent

Deadline for submission of the above details is Monday, 25 May, 2009.

Interested young professionals are requested to send their inquiries to Mariam Al-Mannai at 17589885 or mariam@yalbahrain.org

-Ends-

About Young Arab Leaders - Bahrain Chapter
The Young Arab Leaders (YAL), established in February 2004, is an independent pan-Arab organization aiming to galvanize 500 of the most accomplished, results-oriented individuals from the region who realize it is time to take a more active and responsible role in improving the state of the Arab world.  

With presence in other parts of the Arab world, the YAL Bahrain Chapter was officially launched in November 2005 by HH Crown Prince Sh. Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and Deputy Supreme Commander -in -Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force. The Chairman for the Bahrain Chapter is Sh. Mohammed Bin Essa Al-Khalifa, the Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board.  

The chapter consists of members who have a track-record of achievements and positive change in their organizations and the society, with the Chairman being His Excellency, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al-Khalifa. 

It aims to achieve even greater youth development in the upcoming years through mentorship programmes and by promoting leadership, discipline, knowledge and skills and helping youth recognize and build potential. The youth targeted are high school students, university students and young professionals who have just began their career path. 

Currently YAL has chapters in the following 8 countries:
Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

For further information please contact:
Mariam Al Mannai,
YAL Bahrain,
Tel: +973 17589 855,
Email: mariam@yalbahrain.org 

Anurag Rai Andrade,
Promoseven Weber Shandwick ,
Tel: +973 17500777,
Email: anurag.rai@promoseven.com 

© Press Release 2009