Ray Matsumiya Executive Director

1. University of the Middle East ProjectEducation for a more open, equitable and sustainable, Middle East and North Africa Building, Strengthening, and Utilizing MENA Networks for Positive Change at the University of the Middle East Project Ray Matsumiya Executive Director October 6, 2012

2. University of the Middle East Project • UME is... • A vision of education as a bridge among people and cultures. • An institution of higher learning striving for academic excellence in educational leadership. • An NGO working with educators at the grassroots level in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the US. • An inclusive attitude open to individuals of any nationality, religion, ethnicity or gender who share the goal of a more open, socially equitable, democratic, and environmentally sustainable Middle East and North Africa “The University of the Middle East shows what truly great things can be created. It has succeeded because it feeds the good in all of us." - Archbishop Desmond Tutu “I firmly believe that the UME can play a positive role in the Middle East as many nations struggle with the transition from authoritarian to democratic governments.” - Senator John Kerry

3. Samira Idelcadi

4. Samira’s UME Inspired Projects

17. Making Sense of Samira’s Impact • Question: Why was Samira able to impact so many people? • Something to keep in mind….. • “Someone with a threshold level of ability in the right place at the right time can have an enormous impact.” • Charles Dyke (historian) on the “Great Man” Theory • Question: Where was Samira in UME’s network?

18. UME’s Network Strategy UME Expansion – Enhancement – Action / Showcase Strategy for Network development

19. Network Expansion Expansion: UME seeks to expand the size of its network by continually adding key individuals who participate in UME’s programs. Theory of Change: The sheer volume of educators and their students impacted by UME programs will create positive change in their societies.

20. Expansion: Teacher Education Institute • UME’s Flagship Program implemented in the Boston area • 25-30 teachers from 9 MENA countries annually added to network since 1999 • Acceptance rate of 4% (over 800 applicants per year) • Intro to UME’s values, collaborative work environment • Alumni form the foundation of UME’s network • TEI Educators learn Innovative Teaching Methodologies to: • actively engage students in the learning process, • enhance critical and creative thinking, • foster student involvement in their local and global communities, and; • create inclusive classrooms that teach tolerance, mutual respect and appreciation of difference.

21. Network Enhancement Enhancement – UME seeks to enhance the ability of each individual educator comprising the network to impact their societies. Theory of Change – Skills gained at UME programs will enable educators within the UME network to attain influential positions in their schools and communities where they will have a greater causal impact on their societies.

22. Enhancement: UME’s Follow on Programs • Empowers UME alumni with cutting edge intellectual tools to have a bigger impact on their schools and communities • UME designs specialized programs for each country based on alumni needs and feedback • Strengthens connections between TEI alumni across class years and TEI alumni and UME • Topics for UME Enhancement Programs: • Educational Leadership • Identity in Education • Navigating Educational Systems • Civic Engagement (Morocco) • Conflict Resolution (Lebanon) • Private/Public School Disparity (Jordan)

23. Showcasing the Network Action/Showcase – UME seeks to enable UME alumni to produce and “showcase” tangible and concrete benefits for their communities. Theory of Change– Tangible change “on the ground.” “Showcasing” the good work of UME alumni will impact a vastly larger audience outside of UME programs.

24. Action – Showcase Programs • UME Action-Showcase Programs include: • Collaborative Art Initiative • Civic Engagement Workshop • Symposium in Cairo • Programs to produce tangible, concrete impact on the community • Connects students to the community • High Profile and press friendly

25. Notes How did UME’s Expansion – Enhancement – Showcase strategy build its network? And How did this network enable Samira to have the impact she did in Tiznit and Somerville?

26. 25 TEI Educators 6 countries TEI Faculty 1999: Establishing the Network

27. New TEI participants recruited by alumni 25 to 110 alumni 6 to 9 MENA countries TEI Alumni TEI Faculty Closer linkages between TEI Alumni and TEI Alumni and UME 2003-2006: Strengthening the Network in the MENA ~ Focus on “Enhancement ~ 2000-2003: Focus on “Expansion” in the MENA

28. TEI Alumni TEI Alumni TEI Faculty 2003-2006: Strengthening the Network in the MENA ~ Focus on “Enhancement ~ Expanded Faculty network + US NGO’s Closer linkages between TEI Alumni and TEI Alumni and UME

29. MENA Ministry of Education DC organizations and contacts Roger Williams University American University Simmons College US teachers US Embassies US State Dept. TEI Alumni UME AAs TEI Faculty MENA Organizations Non-TEI Participants MENA Schools 2006-2012: Symmetrical Exchanges 2006-2009: Action/Showcase Programs US Schools Network Catalyst

30. TEI Alumni 2009-2011: Somerville-Tiznit Sister Cities Somerville Community PAO Government of Tiznit + Regional Council Mayor Curatone AMA DC funding organization Mayor Ouammou Samira Idelcadi Rabat Embassy Tiznit Community US State Dept. Sister Cities Facilitators US State Dept. Tiznit Alumni Al Massira School American University TEI Faculty Prof. Wanis Non-TEI Participants Somerville School System US teachers Samira and UME are dense nodes

31. Conclusions Going back to what makes a “great man”….. “Someone with a threshold level of ability in the right place at the right time can have an enormous impact.”

32. Conclusions Samira was able to be a great woman because…. • She positioned herself to the Right place – recognized for her great work in her community • Right Time – Election season in Morocco • UME’ s role - was to help Samira to reach the threshold level of ability via UME programs to make an enormous impact

33. Conclusions • What was UME’s role? • UME helped Samira access the US side of the network • UME located and channeled support from other points in the UME network: Specialized UME facilitators and UME’s Moroccan alumni played key roles

34. Conclusions • What was UME’s current strategy for change? • UME’s role is to create expansive, strong and flexible networks in the US and MENA region that work with us to achieveour mission. • UME’s current strategy is to locate and connect key points within itsnetwork to maximize impact

35. UME’s Network Strategy The Sister Cities Program is only the tip of the iceberg for the potential of the UME network. What could be possible if the UME network is utilized more efficiently? Questions, Observations, Thoughts?

36. Thank you For more information visit us at: www.ume.org For an extended version of Samira’s Sister City Story go to the TEDx Channel on Youtube.com and search “Ray Matsumiya”