United States Institute of Peace, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and Microsoft Corporation, participated in the first chapter of Generation Change in Egypt. The Egypt chapter marks Generation Change’s 25th chapter worldwide, and the first in the Middle East.

Launched by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2010, Generation Change is a global network that identifies and empowers young change-makers in Muslim communities and their peers in other countries to collaborate on community-based service projects, build bridges between people of different backgrounds and faiths, and counter narratives that contribute to conflict and violent extremism.

Manal Omar, director of USIP’s Iraq, Iran, and North Africa Programs, led the two-day training on November 2 and 3. 

“It was inspiring to work with youth on the college level.  The participants  were selected based on their past commitment, and it was clear each and every one of them were change-makers in their own right,” Omar said. 

The Egypt chapter launch consisted of a two-day interactive workshop introducing young leaders to each other and discussing what a youth network could achieve in Egypt.  The exercises focused on public speaking skills and understanding the individual’s ability to influence change within their community. 

“For the first time, I understand that change is something that will take many years.  I have been frustrated from the lack of results from the revolution, but with this training I understand it’s not a failure from Egypt.  Rather it’s a natural part of how change happens,” one female participant shared at the end of the training.

After Egypt, Omar traveled on to Amman, Jordan to lead three training programs in Mafraq, Ma'an, and Aqaba to launch the Generation Change - Jordan chapter.