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empowerME

Apr 18, 2023

MacroMENA

MacroMENA promotes research and contributes to public policy formulation in the area of economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and gender equality. We work closely with multiple teams across the Atlantic Council, and collaborate with various international organizations to shed light on the economies of the MENA region and propose targeted policy solutions amidst the highly volatile and fast-changing global economy.
empowerME

Jan 6, 2022

WIn Fellowship

The WIn Fellowship, a collaboration between the Atlantic Council and Georgetown University, delivers a fully sponsored year-long program that includes a tailored executive education program by Georgetown University, mentoring, and networking opportunities with leading US and MENA business executives, government officials, and policy experts, and workshops with leading experts to advance government and business policies that increase women’s economic participation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

empowerME at COP28

Join the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative in-person or virtually live from the Global Decarbonization Accelerator Connect space in the COP28 Green Zone on December 9th, 2023. The program will be in a hybrid format, combining virtual and in-person participation.

Register

Demystifying venture capital

A conversation on understanding of the VC ecosystem, its different stages, and the roles and expectations of VC investors. The WIn Fellowship, part of the Atlantic Council’s empowerME initiative, is holding a virtual workshop on Tuesday, December 12th at 11:00 AM EST (7 PM KSA, Bahrain /8 PM UAE).

Register

Projects and Trackers

Monthly Newsletter

The empowerME Monthly Newsletter highlights our initiatives programming and key developments from the Middle East and North Africa region.

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Climate Profiles

Highlighting the dire climate situation for differing nations in the Middle East and North Africa region through our “Climate Profiles” series.

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MENA Monitor

Monitoring the fluctuations in the oil and foreign exchange markets in key MENA countries, considering the escalating geopolitical crisis.

View Here

Podcast Series

empowerME Conversations is a podcast created by the Atlantic Council’s empowerME, which features conversations with business and government leaders shaping the Middle East. The podcast highlights significant policy issues, economic opportunities, and challenges for organizations and governments through interviews with influential entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and economic policymakers.

Listen Here

Entrepreneurship Program Tracker

The empowerME Initiative collaborated with Imagine Labs to bring you this interactive tracker, which maps out networks nurturing innovation in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It features 312 programs and initiatives offered by 122 organizations that these six governments have founded, funded, or partnered with to support entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs.

Explore More

Entrepreneur Spotlight Series

The Entrepreneur Spotlight Series’ highlights a new generation of entrepreneurs in the Middle East region transforming their economies and communities by building great companies. The series focuses on their entrepreneurial journey from launching their venture to current achievements to shed light on what’s possible through supporting policies and programs to drive entrepreneurship.

Watch Here

RECENT COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

empowerME

MENASource May 25, 2023

Developing countries need a loss and damage fund for climate change. How can COP28 make it happen?

By Lama El Hatow

A L&D fund is the last lifeboat for these countries after decades of struggle to achieve some form of global climate justice.
Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
empowerME

MENASource May 5, 2023

There’s a gendered brain drain in MENA. It’s because women are unrecognized and underestimated.

By Britt Gronemeyer

The feminization of migration flowing out of MENA can be attributed to the limited career opportunities available to women at home.
Middle East North Africa
empowerME

MENASource May 3, 2023

Modernizing MENA education: How to close the career success gap

By Nibras Basitkey

The education systems in the MENA region are failing to keep pace with the rapidly evolving labor market, which is increasingly characterized by emerging technologies, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Civil Society Middle East
View more

Flagship Events

2023 Inaugural Rafik Hariri Awards and Tenth Anniversary Gala

Wednesday, February 14, 2023
Kennedy Center

The Rafik Hariri Center celebrates 10 years of impact in promoting peace and prosperity in the MENA region and unlocking the human potential of the region. The center also launches its inaugural Rafik Hariri Awards to celebrate exceptional figures in Arts, social entrepreneurship, and business. 

Past events

Public Event Thu, March 2, 2023 • 3:00 pm ET

Saudi Arabia’s new economic force: Women entrepreneurs
Economy & Business Middle East Saudi Arabia Women
Public Event Tue, January 24, 2023 • 10:00 am ET

Destigmatizing failure and promoting business risk through policies and culture
Online Event Mon, December 5, 2022 • 10:00 am ET

The impact of societal norms and structures on women’s economic empowerment in Saudi Arabia
Middle East
Online Event Thu, October 13, 2022 • 12:30 pm ET

A conversation with the Finance Minister of Jordan H.E. Mohamad Al-Ississ
Economy & Business Inclusive Growth International Markets Macroeconomics
Online Event Wed, October 12, 2022 • 10:30 am ET

A conversation with the Planning and Economic Development Minister of Egypt H.E. Hala H. Elsaid
Economy & Business Inclusive Growth International Markets Macroeconomics
View All Events

Experts & Staff

Fellow

Amjad Ahmad

Chairman

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

Racha Helwa

Director, empowerME Initiative

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

Lynn Monzer

Associate Director, empowerME

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Arabic Entrepreneurship

Staff

Hezha Barzani

Assistant Director

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Education Human Rights

Staff

Nibras Basitkey

Program Assistant

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Nonresident Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Lama El Hatow

Nonresident Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Staff

Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Macroeconomist

GeoEconomics Center

Arabic China

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empowerME

empowerME at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is shaping solutions to empower entrepreneurs, women, and youth and building coalitions of public and private partnerships to drive regional economic integration, prosperity, and job creation.

Explore the initiative