The 2014 Fellowship class departed Dallas earlier this week bound for Washington, D.C. – where we were greeted by snow!...
The 2014 Fellowship class departed Dallas earlier this week bound for Washington, D.C. – where we were greeted by snow! For most of the Fellows, this was the first time they had seen snow and they were filled with delight to experience the beautiful snow fall. On our first full day in D.C., federal offices were closed due to the weather, so our planned visits were rescheduled. We made the most of a “snow day” by taking a tour of the monuments by bus. The Fellows took photos at the monuments of our nation’s most notable and inspiring leaders — reading the moving words of Lincoln’s second inaugural and considered how their responsibility and involvement in the historic change happening in Tunisia.
Tuesday started with a visit to Voice of America (VOA) and Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). Letitia King, the director of Public Affairs for BBG, moderated a panel discussion with two female Middle Eastern journalists, AyeshaTanzeem and Lamia Bourogaa. The group discussed the role of media in society and the role of women in journalism, and focused on the characteristics of a free press and the importance of sharing all sides of an issue. “As society develops, people’s tolerance for differing viewpoints develops,” Ayesha explained. The Fellowship continued a discussion on the freedom of press later in the day with a stop at America Abroad Media (AAM). AAM staff explained how they use a townhall method to connect citizens to exchange ideas on society and governance through audience discussions. AAM has an office in Tunis and has convened numerous townhall meetings throughout the last three years during this time in Tunisia. One of the Fellows has partnered with AAM on their programming, and others talked about waiting the townhalls on television. The visit served as an example of how the media can help play a role in fostering civil society.
The Fellows attended a lunch panel discussion with members from organizations that support the development of democracy: International Republican Institute (IRI), National Democratic Institute (NDI), Freedom House, and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). They participated in a dynamic exchange about each group’s work in Tunisia, particularly in helping empower women through political and economic participation. The panelists agreed that Tunisia remains the brightest spot in the Middle East, pointing to substantial gains and the growing hope for a stable democracy moving forward.
Tuesday concluded with a terrific opportunity for the Fellows to network with some incredible American women leaders. At Meridian International, each of the Fellows participated in “speed convening” where they rapidly exchanged ideas and information with a table of powerful women before moving on to the next. They were able to put last week’s lessons on building powerful networks and critical conversations to use in just a matter of a few minutes. Following the valuable event, the women attended a reception with many influential leaders in the nation’s capital and met their ambassador to the United States. The Tunisian ambassador recently arrived for his post in the U.S. and provided encouraging words of support and hope to the Fellows.
On Wednesday, the Fellows started with a visit to the State Department to learn more about the work of the Office of Global Women’s Affairs. They learned of important resources available to them through the State Department and exchanged ideas with several State Department leaders who had served in Tunisia. Afterwards, we toured two of the most iconic institutions in America — the White House and the United States Capitol. The Fellows enjoyed seeing the beautiful ceremonial rooms in the East Wing of the White House and hearing about the history of the President’s home. At the Capitol, our group toured the Old Supreme Court Chamber, saw the awe-inspiring Rotunda, and took in the incredible views of the city from the Speaker’s Balcony. Finally, we toured the Sewall-Belmont House, a museum honoring the U.S. women’s suffrage and equal-rights movements. The Fellows were inspired by the stories of American suffragettes who fought for equal rights, pushed for the opportunity for women to vote, and created their own ripple effect.
Leaving DC, we all reflected on the role of leaders in the founding of a nation and how these courageous Tunisian women will play a significant role on the advancement of their great nation.
