Yemen in Crisis: The Role of Civil Society and Community Groups

November 4, 2015 - 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

A presentation on how civil society works in Yemen and how community members utilize their talents and resources to enhance their lives.  Speakers for the evening,  Bushra Mutahar Al-Huthi and Mohammad Ali Al-Shami, are 2015 Leaders for Democracy fellowship alumni. They will share a brief history about Yemen and an introduction to what has been going on recently as well as the role of civil society in a time of conflict and humanitarian crisis.  Event will offer food and refreshments  at 6:30pm, with speakers at 7:00pm and discussion to follow.

Bushra Mutahar Al-Huthi
Professional Expertise & Interests: Women and Children’s Rights

Ms. Al-Huthi is a child rights activist and a senior project officer at the child rights sector of the Yemeni Non-Governmental Organization, SOUL for Development. Since 2013, Bushra has been working closely with the Yemeni Police Academy and the Ministry of Interior to implement activities that promote child protection within the police forces and grant Yemeni children better access to justice. She is also SOUL’s representative at UNICEF’s child protection sub cluster and Manara Network for Child Rights. Although she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology from University Utara Malaysia, her passion for social and development work has led her to a different career path.  Bushra is also an alumna of both YES (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study) and Global Village for Future leaders of Business and Industry.  Ms. Al-Huthi is interested in working with organizations committed to women and child development in Yemen.  She is currently working with the NGO Save the Children in Washington, D.C.

Mohammad Ali Al-Shami
Professional Expertise & Interests: Youth & Women Empowerment, Advocacy

Mr. Al-Shami is a Yemeni youth activist and a project coordinator for Saferworld. Since 2010, he has focused on empowering youth to play an active role in Yemen reform policies, conducting workshops in Sana’a, Hodiedah, and Aden to engage youth with the reform plan and give advice to policy makers.  He also created the largest advocacy youth group that tackles public policy issues and organizes meetings between activists and policymakers from Sana’a to Berlin and Brussels.  Mr. Al-Shami has conducted debates for youth on national and international television to voice their opinions on Federalism, political inclusion, the role of local councils and NGOs in pursuit of greater political transparency, and youth empowerment. Over the years, he has trained over 200 young activists from across the country, and organized more than 10 advocacy campaigns focused on political participation for youth and women. Mr. Al-Shamari has been a scholar in residence at  The Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. since May.

Free to the Public