" Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future" - John F. Kennedy

The Leaders for Democracy Fellows Program is a three-month program that will provide 25 emerging leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa with an opportunity to create democratic reforms within their home countries. Utilizing the Maxwell School's faculty and institute, professional staff, and diverse student population - the LDF program will enable these Fellows to strengthen their leadership skills, broaden their understanding of the world and to position themselves as successful innovators in their countries.

The program is divided into two major components. The first part of the program is academically focused, with fellows spending five weeks on Syracuse's campus participating in workshops, lectures and discussions. These five weeks are specifically designed to provide the Fellows with a comprehensive understanding of democratic values, how to manage conflicts and the role of civil society within democratic systems of government. The second part of the program provides the Fellows with a professional affiliation experience by pairing them with an organization in Washington related to their field of interest.

The LDF program is run by Maxwell School's Executive Education Department with sponsorship from the US State Department. Syracuse's Middle East Studies Program, the Moynihan Institute for Global Affairs and the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts are important contributors to the program.

Congratulations to the Fellows for the 2009 program!