The Exchange is an effort by Mideastwire.com and its partners to promote understanding and academic enrichment through a variety of city-focused conferences in the Middle East and North Africa. During their stay, typically lasting from one to two weeks, students and professionals from around the globe engage directly with some of the leading intellectuals, academics and political leaders in the country - representing a variety of different viewpoints. The First Exchange was launched in June 2008 in Beirut, Lebanon. Now, eight years on, more than 450 people from 48 different countries have participated, with many going on to work as diplomats in their home countries, for NGOs serving the region and as social entrepreneurs. The next Exchanges will be held in Tunis, January 3-10, and in Beirut, January 11-18, 2017. REQUEST AN APPLICATION for any Exchange via info@mideastwire.com Note that tuition discounts, beyond standard financial aid allocations for those applicants with demonstrated need, are available for alumni of previous Exchange programs as well as students who wish to attend both the Tunis and Beirut Exchanges in January 2017. For more information, please email info@mideastwire.com ********** THE EIGHTH TUNIS EXCHANGE January 3-January 10, 2017 ********** Application Deadline I September 30, 2016/Deadline II November 1, 2016 Limited spaces available/Rolling acceptance As with our other Exchanges, the seven-day program will engage participants from around the world in a multifaceted discussion of some of the key issues facing Tunisia and the wider region. The Tunis Exchange program specifically rests on two tracks this Winter. Track 1: Academic Seminars. Participants will attend a series of lectures with leading academics and public intellectuals in Tunisia. Topics will include, among others: - The history and internal transformations of Ennahda, including organizational and ideological evolution since the revolution; - The post-revolutionary evolution of the UGTT, Tunisia's powerful labor union, and its role in politics (including implications of its role as primary mediator in the National Dialogue of late 2013); - The composition, platforms of, and alliances between major parties (including Jebha Chaabia, Nidaa Tounes and Afeq Tounes, among others); - The state of the Tunisian economy, including regional inequalities, budget transparency and decentralization, etc.; - Security sector reform and the response to terrorism; - Institutional and legislative reform needs following the passage of Tunisia's constitution, focusing particularly on reform of the Ministry of Interior (security sector) and Ministry of Justice (judicial sector), Tunisia's two most problematic ministries; - Human rights in the new Tunisia (addressing issues such as freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, status of women, use of torture and the terrorism debate); - Salafism, its composition (political, quietist, jihadi) in Tunisia and its relationship to and implications for party politics, stability, and governance moving forward; - Taking stock of what Tunisia has done regarding transitional justice, what steps are planned to realize the recently passed transitional justice law, and what more needs to be done; - The role of the media and civil society organizations; - Youth politics and activism within and outside formal party structure. Track 2: Dialogue with Leaders. Participants will have the opportunity to meet, listen and engage leading social, political, religious and economic leaders from across the spectrum in Tunisia.   Program Format: The Tunis Exchange will be held over seven days, mainly at the conference room of The Novotel Hotel in downtown Tunis. It is recommended that students stay at the Ibis (next door) or at the Novotel since most meetings will take place in the hotel conference room. Off-site meetings during the seven days will entail bus travel as a group in and around Tunis. Costs: Tuition - $900; Partial financial aid is available for those students and individuals that can demonstrate need as well as alumni of our previous programs. All bus travel, transportation from the airport upon arrival and other program costs associated with the full seven-day Exchange are included. Accommodation - $350; Room rates vary depending on arrangements, but generally fall within the range of $50 per night, per student for a shared double room (breakfast and taxes are included). Alternative accommodation, including in a single room, is available upon request and students are welcome to arrange for their own housing. Airfare - $400, approximate from the European Union. REQUEST AN APPLICATION via info@mideastwire.com   THE SIXTEENTH BEIRUT EXCHANGE JANUARY 11-18, 2017 Application Deadline I September 30, 2016/Deadline II November 1, 2016 Limited spaces available/Rolling acceptance The seven-day Beirut Exchange program rests on two tracks: Academic - Participants will attend a series of lectures and colloquia led by leading academics and public intellectuals in Lebanon. Topics will include: Recent protest movements in Lebanon; The Arab Uprisings; The Syrian conflict and its regional implications; The Islamic State; The Special Tribunal for Lebanon; The United Nations role in Lebanon and the region; Engaging political Islam; Asymmetrical conflict: The July 2006 Lebanon War; Human Rights in Lebanon and the wider Middle East; Sectarianism and its deployment, as well as a range of other topics. Dialogue with Leaders - Participants will have the opportunity to meet, listen and engage leading social, political and economic actors from across the spectrum in Lebanon. NOTE: Due to the current security situation in Lebanon, the Sixteenth Beirut Exchange will generally restrict its meetings in and around Beirut, although at least one trip to the North and one trip to the South is planned.   Costs: Tuition - $900; Partial financial aid is available for those students and individuals that can demonstrate need. Accommodation - $420; Except for those students already residing in Lebanon, we recommend that all participants in the Exchange reside at the conference hotel during the seven-day program (only accepted students will be notified of the hotel location). The hotel, located near downtown Beirut, is priced at $60 per person/per night, including all taxes and breakfast, for a shared double room (we will arrange for sharing). Single rooms are available for $100 per night. Note that we can also arrange for less expensive, private housing near to the conference room which will be priced at approximately $40 per person, per night. Airfare - $400, approximate from the European Union. At the discretion of the student, tuition is 50% refundable up to three weeks before the program commences. (Airline tickets and accommodation should be purchased with travel insurance.) REQUEST AN APPLICATION via info@mideastwire.com Visit our Facebook page and ask alumni questions at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10975175535/