At AMEL Institute, it’s the biggest Summer yet with our largest and most diversified cohort! The program comes on the heels of our highly successful Spring online training program, in which nearly 300 young changemakers from all over Africa and the Middle East participated. Launched in mid-July, we are nearing the midpoint of the interactive 8-week Summer program, with trainees increasingly connecting with one another as they engage with the rich online curriculum on human rights, genocide prevention, peace, and more. Along the way, we’re seeing a key vision coming to life: connecting passionate young changemakers across the Middle East and Africa with one another in an environment where learning, respect, and compassion lead the conversations.
““Something I’ve realized during this program is that human rights aren’t just about policies, they’re about people. It’s in how we treat each other, how we speak up when something is wrong, and how we create spaces where everyone feels seen and safe. I’m learning that protecting rights starts with paying attention, even in the small moments.””
Of the more than 1250 applications received, over 600 applicants were invited to enroll in the Summer 2025 AMEL Institute. Enrolled trainees, numbering nearly 500, come from 53 countries across Africa and the Middle East, with many hailing from Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, and Syria. Trainees also hail from countries such as Algeria, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Mali, Oman, Somalia, South Africa, Yemen, and dozens more, showcasing the undeniable diversity of this year’s group. The cohort is approximately evenly split between genders, and trainees are, on average, 26 years old.The group includes diverse changemakers, with activists focused on human rights (23%), youth empowerment (22%), combating inequalities (20%), conflict prevention and peace (16%), democracy and civics (13%), and other forms of activism (6%). This diversity has greatly enriched the program, fostering peer-to-peer learning, discussion, and solidarity.
““Thank you so much for this module. It was incredibly helpful for me as it gave me a better understanding of my own emotions and how to manage them for my mental well-being. Lately, I’ve been experiencing a lot of burnout from work. This left me feeling unmotivated and quite hopeless, especially with all the conflicts and negativity in the world. It felt like I couldn’t see any progress or development. However, after watching the videos, I gained a new perspective on how to deal with stress. I realized that very simple things can make a huge difference, like practicing gratitude...””
The program began with a module on safety and mental health, crucial topics for our trainees, many of whom are facing harrowing conditions, but are nevertheless charging forward to build a better future for their countries and communities. The program continued with a module on human rights, featuring renowned Ugandan advocate, Nicholas Opiyo, who is now AMEL’s Senior Director of Human Rights. We are now in the middle of the central module of the program - Genocide Prevention - which includes case studies on the Yazidi genocide and the Holocaust, as well as lessons on allyship to prevent future atrocities. Our most recent live sessions featured educators from the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, including an interactive workshop exploring the roles of perpetrators, bystanders, and upstanders during the Holocaust. Weekly live sessions, which complement the online curriculum, provide an opportunity for trainees to ask questions of the lecturers, to share experiences with one another in small-group breakout rooms, to voice challenges and ideas, and to draw inspiration from each other’s stories and the guiding words of the lecturers and the AMEL team.
With just over a month left in this Summer’s program, the engagement and connections among the cohort will only continue to flourish, creating an exemplary and inspiring learning environment. Upon graduating, trainees are invited to join the AMEL Institute Alumni network from which AMEL’s young changemakers can continue to boost their knowledge and skills within a growing community of inspiring African and Middle Eastern activists.
““I deeply appreciated the way the sessions highlighted the interdependence between civil, political, economic, and social rights. It became clear to me that human rights cannot be fully realized in isolation, but require a comprehensive and integrated approach that considers the broader social and political context. I found the content both informative and thought-provoking, especially in encouraging us to think beyond theory and consider practical applications.””