It's full steam ahead at AMEL Institute, where we're gearing up to conclude our successful Spring program while preparing to launch the Summer program! The Spring 2025 AMEL Institute program received unprecedented interest, with over 2400 applying to take part, including hundreds from Sudan, Syria, and other hot spots around the region. A total of 600 young changemakers were invited to enroll in the online training program, a process that was fully completed by nearly 400 young leaders from 45 different countries across Africa and the Middle East.
Since late April, enrolled changemakers have been engaged in AMEL's interactive, online training program that features video lectures, quizzes, assignments, asynchronous discussion forums, and live discussion sessions. Thus far, nearly 300 have been actively participating in the training, which will conclude in late June. Average trainee age is about 27 years old, and the cohort is approximately evenly split between genders. A highly diverse group, about 60% of trainees define themselves as current or future human rights activists, about 15% as current or future peacemakers, about 10% as current or future policymakers, and about 15% as another type of activist.
Throughout the program, trainees boosted their knowledge and skills in human rights, gender mainstreaming, activism safety, self-care/mental health, genocide studies/prevention, conflict transformation, nonviolent movements, democracy, and communications. The core module focused on learning from case studies, especially the Holocaust, about how genocides can be prevented. With videos and online sessions featuring survivors, experts, and activists, trainees learned about topics including the processes that lead up to genocide and how to prevent atrocities by using allyship to interrupt discrimination and intolerance. After all six program modules are concluded, the Spring cohort will wrap up with an online celebration and the awarding of completion and distinction certificates. Feedback and testimonials are still being collected, but some initial highlights include the below.
“I liked the program because it offers deep insights into complex issues like nonviolence, conflict resolution, and democracy in a clear and engaging way. It helped me understand the importance of dialogue, empathy, and peaceful activism in creating real social change.” –trainee from Iraq
“What I truly liked about the AMEL Institute program was how deeply it respected and uplifted the voices of grassroots leaders like me. As someone working with children, youth, women, and people with disabilities in Tanzania…it meant so much to be in a space where lived experiences were not just heard but valued.” –trainee from Tanzania
“This program equipped me with several tools to help me to ensure my own protection / security when I'm doing my job as Human Rights Defenders (HRD). HRDs in Congo are facing many obstacles. They are killed, raped, arrested, harassed...At the end of this training, I Will share what I gained from this program to help other HRDs in my community about how protect themselves when their are doing their job.” –trainee from DR Congo
“What I learned from this program, especially about the Holocaust and broader human rights issues, has already influenced the way I think, speak and engage with others. I now feel more confident and responsible when discussing issues of justice, discrimination and human suffering.” –trainee from Syria
As we wrap up the Spring program, preparations are in full force for the Summer program, which will begin in mid-July. Hundreds of activists from dozens of countries across Africa and the Middle East will be boosting their knowledge and skills at AMEL Institute from July until September - stay tuned for updates!