Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
03KUWAIT5370 | 2003-11-24 08:08:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Kuwait |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 005370 |
1. Summary: Post requests MEPI funding for the establishment of a Junior Achievement program in Kuwait, and MEPI funding and ECA support in arranging a 4-6 week US work shadow program for non-elite Kuwaiti youth in the 16-23 age range during the summer of 2004. End summary. Junior Achievement Program 2. PAS recently met with the managing director of a new Kuwaiti NGO focused on improving job skills, work ethics and civic awareness among male and female Kuwaiti youth ages 16- 23. Although less than a year old, the Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LOYAC) has already completed several internship programs and civic society projects for young Kuwaitis that emphasize acquisition of real world job skills and exercising civic consciousness and activism. Youth participating in the LOYAC program do an internship in areas of the economy that have traditionally been the province of third country nationals, such as restaurant kitchen work, press operator and other non-management slots, and lead action committees that undertake various civic-oriented projects. 3. The philosophy behind this program is to inculcate a sense of work ethics and job skills among young Kuwaitis through a process of civic awareness training and on-the-job experience. Created as an alternative to Islamist- oriented organizations that offer guidance and financial assistance to non-elite Kuwaitis, LOYAC has distinguished itself as a progressive and active organization with a proven track record of fostering values of civil society and hard work among that segment of the rapidly growing youth population that comes from more conservative and less affluent strata of society. 4. Junior Achievement International: We have noticed that LOYAC's program is very similar in philosophy and approach to that of Junior Achievement, the US-based international NGO that fosters youth-oriented entrepreneurial and civic society activities. LOYAC has expressed interest in using the Junior Achievement program and taking the lead in opening a Kuwait chapter of the organization. This would have a number of advantages. It would provide an established US model for youth-oriented civic activism for an important local NGO and allow us to influence a key youth demographic in Kuwait. It would also serve as a natural vehicle for US private sector cooperation in Kuwait, particularly companies in the energy and defense sectors, which would have much to gain through high-profile association with such a program here. 5. Post has been in contact with Junior Achievement International, which has proposed sending one of its representatives to Kuwait for a two-week period in February to consult with LOYAC and other NGOs, government officials and the business community to assess the viability of a JA chapter. On completion of the visit, the JA rep would produce a business plan, a three year budget, proposed staff structure, necessary training of employees, and recommendations for a board structure. Junior Achievement International has provided us with the following budget for this initial program: ESTIMATED COSTS Roundtrip airfare, Colorado Springs to Kuwait (Coach COS to Chicago to JFK to Kuwait City - $2,306. Business Class COS to Chicago to London to Kuwait City $ 6,209) $6,209.00 US Government Per Diem for 14 days in Kuwait City @ $339/day $4,746.00 Stipend @ $2000 per week, 2 weeks in country and 1 week pre and 1 week Post follow up work. $8,000.00 Materials (includes shipping DHL/FedEx) $3,200.00 Miscellaneous (Taxi/cab, parking, insurance, FedEx, secretarial help etc.) $800.00 Sub Total - Direct Costs $22,955.00 JAI Indirect Costs $4,591.00 TOTAL $27,546.00 Work Shadow Program 6. Post also requests ECA and MEPI support for a LOYAC- sponsored work shadow program for 8-10 Kuwaiti men and women in the 16-23 age range with US media institutions (including smaller, local newspapers) and in the US Congress or state legislatures. The British embassy in Kuwait has agreed to undertake a similar program for LOYAC in the UK, placing 8- 10 young Kuwaitis in the House of Commons and with British media institutions such as the BBC. The purpose of the program is to introduce young Kuwaitis from non-elite, conservative districts of the country to how media and political institutions operate in a democratic society, while giving them a sense of the skills, hard work, and civic responsibility democratic institutions foster among their citizens. Such a program would allow young Kuwaitis to see themselves in such institutions and energize them to pursue similar goals in their own society, and would also serve to counter extremist propaganda that US media and political institutions seek US domination of the Muslim world. 7. Post believes that programs focusing on non-elite Arab youth in Kuwait are crucial, and hopes that the initiatives described above will be supported. Thanks and regards. |