Synergos Creates New Network for Middle East Social Entrepreneurs

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New York City (December 9, 2008) -- Synergos has launched a new network to recognize and support social entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa. The Arab World Social Innovators Program has selected 22 social innovators from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine, who are all working to address poverty and social inequality in the region.

Social innovators are pioneers of change within their communities who offer new ideas, creative approaches and promising solutions to pressing social and economic problems. Working in a variety of fields including education, microenterprise, social justice and arts and culture, Synergos will facilitate peer learning among members of the group and provide professional development, mentorships, financial resources and strategic connections to help the Arab World Social Innovators strengthen their projects to reach more people and make greater social impacts.

“In this program, Synergos aims to support those who are already making social change take the next step and make their organizations more effective and sustainable,” said Robert H. Dunn, President and CEO of Synergos. “We also believe these leaders will partner with others to strengthen civil society throughout the region and collaborate across sectors to promote economic and social progress.”

The new class of 22 Arab World Social Innovators are:

Ali Abu Awwad (Palestine) is promoting non-violent practices among those who wish to create social change.
Aref Husseini (Palestine) is introducing new tools and approaches in education to cultivate young scientific minds and critical thinkers.
Ezzat Guindy (Egypt) is helping provide economic opportunities for garbage collectors in Cairo.
Gamal Kamal el-Din (Egypt) is introducing new technology to increase production for sugar cane farmers.
Islam al-Dawi (Egypt) is reviving traditional Berber handicrafts to create income opportunities and preserve local culture.
Jihad Shojaeha (Palestine) is helping promote access to education by raising funds to help students with financial needs attend university.
Kamal Mouzawak (Lebanon) is supporting small farmers and preserving organic agricultural traditions through local farmers markets.
Mohammed Zaid al Kilany (Palestine) is allowing greater access to employment opportunities through mobile phone technology.
Noureddine Amre (Palestine) is working to promote integrated education for the visually handicapped.
Paul Abi Rached (Lebanon) is producing music and carrying out educational programs for youth that helps teach environmental conservation.
Rabee Zureikat (Jordan) is using “voluntourism” and microenterprise to build awareness and improve conditions in marginalized communities.
Raghda el-Ebrashi (Egypt) is empowering communities to find their own locally rooted solutions to overcome poverty.
Rami al-Hajj (Palestine) is creating an Internet-based social networking platform to promote open dialogue around social issues.
Ramzi Odah (Palestine) is creating “youth parliaments” to help groom a future generation of Palestinian leaders.
Rana Dajani (Jordan) is creating a library in local neighborhoods to foster a love of reading among Jordanian children.
Saadia Zrira (Morocco) is finding sustainable solutions to poverty and environmental degradation in rural Morocco through the cultivation of indigenous plants.
Sameh el-Halawany (Egypt) is using art to transform and preserve culturally unique neighborhoods in Egypt.
Tamer Anis (Egypt) is helping change perceptions and secure rights for the deaf and mute.
Wafa Zerrouki (Morocco) is helping women break the cycle of poverty through traditional handicraft.
Younes Naoumi (Morocco) is motivating the growing population of youth to become active participants for social change in their communities.
Yousef al-Deek (Palestine) is building a culture of cinema in Palestine to reaffirm national identity, and build social cohesion.
Zeinab al-Moumani (Jordan) is promoting rural development for women through agricultural cooperatives.

The Program is funded by the US Agency for International Development and private donors, and is overseen by a Regional Advisory Committee comprised of prominent women and men, many of whom are leading examples of social entrepreneurs in the Arab world helping to pioneer new approaches to poverty alleviation.

The members of the Regional Advisory Committee include:

Deema Bibi, Injaz, Jordan
Ilhan Zhiri, Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Morocco
Iman Bibars, Ashoka, Egypt
Marwan Awartani, Universal Education Foundation, Palestine
Mona Zulfikar, Shalakany Law Office, Egypt
Mounir Mabsout, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Sabah Al-Haj, Management Plus S.A.R.L, Lebanon
Sam Bahour, Applied Information Management, Palestine
Samar Dudin, Takween Open Spaces for Enlightenment and Creativity, Jordan

More information on the program is online at www.synergos.org/socialinnovators/.

About Synergos

Synergos (www.synergos.org) is a global nonprofit organization that works to reduce poverty by helping government, business and civil society, and local communities work together to create long-term progress. Since 1986, Synergos has supported global networks such as the Global Philanthropists Circle and Senior Fellows Network, and innovative partnerships in more than 30 countries.

For More Information

Please contact:
Alex Dolan
Tel +1 646-963-2123
adolan@synergos.org