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The MENA Diaspora Programme
The MENA Diaspora Programme
A leadership development programme for UK-based Diaspora leaders from Muslim majority countries in the MENA region
Funded by Islamic Relief UK, Common Purpose is curating a new Diaspora Leadership Programme for UK-based Diaspora Leaders from Muslim-majority countries in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region.
It aims to inspire new ideas and equip participants with the connections and tools to be bridge builders at a time when there are many forces of fragmentation. Making a greater impact in their communities across the UK and contributing to building a better future in the MENA region.
The programme is aimed at people from countries that have experienced particular hardships and challenges in the last few years, and where their respective diaspora communities have been fast to mobilize to help.
Why take part?
Stretch their analytical and creative skills by exposing them to new approaches to innovation and problem solving
Develop their understanding of Cross Boundary Leadership so that they are better able to lead in situations where they may have no formal influence.
Re-energize and build new, supporting and sustainable networks, by giving them access to inspiring peers and leaders from different communities
Develop their thinking on the future for their countries of origin and for the MENA communities in the UK. In turn growing their capacity to translate that thinking into positive action
Who is it for?
We welcome applications from Diaspora Leaders living in the UK from the following communities in particular - Syria, Turkey, Sudan, Yemen, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Somalia, Somaliland and Libya - but are open to applications from across the wider region.
We are also seeking to bring together a participant group that includes people from different generations. They may have experience in leadership from different walks of life and from any sector.
You will be:
- A UK-based emerging (typically with over 5 years of professional experience) or established Diaspora leader from a Muslim-majority country in the MENA region
- Able to demonstrate that they have exercised effective leadership in any field and any role, whether professional or voluntary
- Able to demonstrate their commitment to attending all programme sessions, both online and in-person
- Willing to work with a diverse group of people from different backgrounds and sectors
"We’re excited to be working with Common Purpose, an organisation we’ve long admired, to support people to become excellent leaders in the aid and development space. The most valuable resource to any charitable organisation is not money, but our people. Investing in them to reach new levels of personal growth is one of the best ways to deliver aid and development programmes successfully. Common Purpose’s work is exactly what this sector needs, and we are glad to be a part of it. Being able to share such a valuable resource as our committed, leadership personnel with one another is key to unlocking the myriad of issues facing many charities today."
The Programme
The programme focuses on a challenge as a framework for leadership development: “How can Diaspora Leaders use their skills, knowledge and experience to benefit the MENA region and their communities in the UK?”
You will work up practical ideas in response to the challenge. Working on ideas individually and collectively, building long-lasting connections and developing projects that can be prototyped in the 'real world' beyond the programme.
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Pre-programme online learning
Expectation Setting: one hour of digital content designed to explore group expectations for the programme and share insights into your own communities.
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Module 1
Setting the Scene: a live online session focusing on an introduction to the programme and the participant group you will work with.
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Module 2
Working in Unfamiliar Territories: a live online session exploring what does it take to have an impact when working in environments that are new to you.
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Module 3
Working Across Cultures: a live online session exploring what does it take to be able to work with people who are different to you./p>
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In-person programme
Collaboration to Transform Systems: two days in-person where you are guided through a process of creative and design thinking, to explore the programme challenge from different angles.
Apply
Applications now open
Programme details:
| Online | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (UK) on 4, 9 and 10 September, 2024 |
| In-person | 16 & 17 September 2024 |
Programme Fees: There is no cost to take part. This programme is funded by Islamic relief UK. Travel costs to/from the host city for the residential days are excluded, however.
Application deadline: The deadline to apply is midnight (UK) on 19 July 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you have any further questions or would just like to discuss the programme in more detail, please reach out to a member of our team in your specific location who would be delighted to help.
We are a global not-for-profit leadership development organization on a mission to develop people who can cross cultural, social, and institutional boundaries. We work passionately with people to help push the boundaries of what is possible, all so that they can become those who can help us to work better together, be the connectors of our unique lived experiences and lead, with a difference.
Yes! The Common Purpose Charitable Trust was established as a charity in 1989. It is registered with the Charity Commission under the Registered Charity number 1023384.
The benefits of Common Purpose leadership programmes include gaining increased:
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Agility in adapting to changing circumstances and environments.
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Empathy to what other people feel, think and need. Seeing things from their point of view.
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Influence in leading change with limited decision-making power.
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Openness to new ideas, possibilities and perspectives, including views they might deeply disagree with.
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Purposefulness in leading with intentionality, determination, commitment and resilience.
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Self-awareness to their behaviours and outlook, and how they interpret and respond to situations.
When it comes to learning, there is no substitute for the power of real experience and fresh perspective. Our approach uses a robust behaviour and mindset change philosophy rooted in real life leadership challenges and experiences. To turn those experiences into real learning we follow five tried and tested steps that lead to habitual change in how people think, feel and act.
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Experience: Being presented with new experiences. Engaging with leaders across multiple boundaries and being immersed in new environments.
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Reflection: Learning activities to gain a deeper and more personalized understanding of the learning.
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Translate: Exploring how to relate new ideas and thought processes back into the learner’s role or context.
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Practice: Developing a set of leadership practices that can be used to turn new behaviours into habits.
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Assess: Embedding numerous assessments to help learners track their progress pre, during and even beyond the programme.
Experiential learning is a core component of our programmes.
Our programmes create a carefully constructed microclimate to explore real-life leadership challenges in a safe environment, often leading to the types of purpose-driven conversations needed to achieve transformative change.
We also focus on the importance of active learning, by getting people out of their comfort zones and into the world, seeing things, meeting people, taking part, and taking advantage of processes that stimulate multiple neural connections in the brain and promote memory.
