The Eastern European and Arab Democratic Youth Network

There is an interesting project going on which I would like to share with our readers. The Eastern European and Arab Democratic Youth Network (EEADYN- pronounced Eden) describes itself as the following:

The project is an online network of youth who want to be engaged in critical discussions about issues of crucial importance to them and the future of their countries. Becoming part of this network connects students with their peers across borders both virtually, as well as the potential to meet face to face. Arab students from all backgrounds between the ages of 16 and 21 are encouraged to register for this online network on our website: www.eeadyn.org.

The aim of creating this network is multi-fold, as the foremost objective is to encourage youth to think critically, creatively, and independently. Many of the issues that affect their lives are directly or indirectly related to democratic values and behaviors, but the most important way is that they are exercising their right to express themselves in a productive and non-violent manner for the betterment of society and their community. Our youth are the future of our countries and we need to actively challenge and engage them in becoming upstanding members of the community and to feel comfortable within this community, by bringing their voices to the forefront.

If you want to be involved in their education program, taking place in Romania this summer, you are encouraged to submit an essay application which will be due by the 15th of May. If you’re interested in networking with student activists in Romania, here’s more details about that:

It is an expansion of a program created by the Romanian Ratiu Center for Democracy (RCD) that aimed to develop young Romanian citizens’ involvement and understanding of the values and behaviors of democracy. This program is not meant to “preach” to students about how or what to think about democracy, but rather to guide them in creating their own understanding of the values and behaviors of democratic governance and its applicability to their country and region. Students will be comparing and contrasting the experiences during the time of Eastern European transition and the current effects on local populations to that of the Arab world and developing practical skills involved in advancing local democratic movements. The program is built upon three stages:

- It begins with developing individual perspective through an online program.
- A regional perspective in an orientation in Cairo.
- A cross-cultural perspective of democratic social movements in Eastern Europe and their applicability to the Arab World, held in Romania.

Nora Elmarzouky

Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies
Program Coordinator
Eastern European and Arab Democratic Youth Network
Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt

For more information, please visit their website.

I’m happy to say that I’ve already exchanged e-mails with Nora and we will be happy to work with them on their projects.