Our work in the MENA region

MS ActionAid Denmark focuses on three priority areas in building bridges for youth issues in the Middle East, North Africa and Denmark:

1. Engaging young people 


In order to engage youth in the civil society, MS ActionAid Denmark established a Jordanian Danish youth dialogue center in 2005. By now the dialogue center has been changed into a regional office for MS ActionAid to conduct its regional programs, starting in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine.

Programmes and activities that motivate and empower youth are facilitated, supported and funded. In addition capacity building through training for social change is put in practice. At the same time, the regional office provides a neutral space for informal youth groups to meet, discuss their vision and plans, acquire skills and get advice and support for their projects if needed. These groups are, generally, not recognized as stand alone entities. It is the intention of MS ActionAid Denmark to work with partner organizations in the different countries of the region to provide similar spaces.

Current projects with focus on youth engagement  

 

<b> 2. Promoting tolerance and dialogue </b>

A key element in MS ActionAid Denmark’s work is promoting cross-cultural exchange between youth in the Middle East and North Africa and Denmark. In view of the Cartoon Crisis of 2006 this element has become more important than ever. By bringing youth from the MENA region and Denmark together, MS ActionAid Denmark hopes to promote more tolerance, solidarity and dialogue between the two cultures. 

Current projects with focus on promoting tolerance and dialogue

3. Supporting partnerships 

The cross cultural exchange is brought to its ultimate level through supporting joint projects conducted by youth organizations in Denmark in partnership with organizations in the Middle East and North Africa. Through the DEMENA pool MS ActionAid Denmark funds Danish NGOs with projects aiming at building partnerships with youth groups in the MENA region. The overall aim of the funding and the projects is to enhance youth participation in democratic reform processes and intercultural understanding.
Current projects with focus on supporting partnerships:

For more information about the DEMENA pool, please visit:
www.ms.dk/sw75208.asp