Middle East Partnership Initiative - US Department of State

Middle East Partnership Initiative


Laura Bush with Dr. Huda Abdulkareem at the Abdullatif Cancer Screening Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (White House photo)

Breast Cancer a Health Risk for Women Worldwide

U.S. first lady Laura Bush, during a five-day tour of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, encourages women to undergo early screening for breast cancer and announces collaborations on testing and treatment programs. “Breast cancer does not respect national boundaries, which is why people from every country must share their knowledge, resources and experience to protect women from this disease,” she says. While showcasing public-private cooperation in breast cancer outreach, she also meets with women political leaders and attends a scholarship event. (complete text)

U.S. Aid to the Middle East Becoming More Focused on Women

U.S. aid to the Middle East over several decades has helped women, but often indirectly. Since the 1980s, when the focus of U.S. aid to the region shifted to getting girls as well as boys educated, U.S. support increasingly has been directed to organizations that focus on women’s status. Today, more U.S. aid helps women in the Middle East develop professionally, improve the quality of their lives and enhance the roles they play in their communities. (complete text)

Middle East Entrepreneurs Push for Change

Hamoud al-Motawakkel’s advertising agency in Yemen was not doing as well as he had expected. Being a civil engineer by training, he did not have much background in managing a business. Then, in 2004, he heard about the Middle East Entrepreneur Training in the United States (MEET U.S.) program and decided to apply. MEET U.S., run by the University of California’s Beyster Institute, brings entrepreneurs from the region to its San Diego campus for intense three-week business management classes. “MEET … was like a gift,” al-Motawakkel said in a survey after his classes concluded. “It opened my eyes to several opportunities.” (complete text)

SPECIAL FEATURE U.S. Official Discusses Middle East Partnership Initiative