tion through telling us their

stories and views on this

event.

A.B

August 2010, ten students

from different Algerian cities

were selected by the U.S. Em-

bassy in Algiers to attend the

Women2Women confer-

ence which was held in Lesley

University, Boston, Massachu-

setts from August 3 to 10.

Women2Women is an in-

ternational leadership pro-

gram that was launched by

Empower Peace in 2006; this

organization works to „bridge

cultural and communication

divides between the young peo-

ple worldwide‟ and they par-

ticularly focus on high school-

aged youth in the United

States and Arab and Muslim

world.

120 participants from different

countries, with different ways

of thinking, so many different

cultures and probably few

things in common but their

thirst for interaction, leader-

ship skills and believe in

change.

The participants attended con-

ferences and took part in cul-

tural outings, workshops,

community services and gave

their own presentation; the

multicultural Algerian society

and the ongoing develop-

ment.

The conference was an op-

portunity for young

women to interact with

prominent women leaders

from around the

world (Middle East, Near

East, and the United States)

and meet national and inter-

national women leaders from

Government, Business, Me-

dia and Entertainment sec-

tors. All working together to

help participants to acquire

skills and insight on how to

become future leaders.

This month‟s issue of El

Djazair Alumni Newslet-

ter features the Algerian

participants, their contribu-

W2W For a Better Future.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

August 2010 Volume I, Issue 9

El-Djazair Alumni Newsletter

Special Issue

W2W 2010 Special Issue

Pre-departure Reception hosted by the DCM, Deputy Chief of Mission

William Jordan.

I think my experience there was

unique because we had the chance to

meet people from all over the world,

this enabled us to make friends, get to

know other people and hence erase

all the prejudices and stereotypes that

we previously had about them. As a

teacher, I learned many new things

that I will obviously use with my

students. In addition, the students

picked up the English language and

learned many things unconsciously.

This was undoubtly a great opportu-

nity for them and for me to be in

direct touch with native speakers,

when we went shopping, exchanged

money and/or visited several places

"the linguistic bath". We prepared an

action plan we aim to create an asso-

ciation namely referred to as

“SOSFED” or “SOS Femmes En

Difficultées” - SOS Women in Need -

. The members of the panel really

liked the idea and we really hope we

can implement it in our country,

likewise we would be able to help all

the Algerian women facing problems

in their lives like corporal punish-

ment, bullying and/or domestic vio-

lence. Concerning the environment, I

think Boston is one of the most

beautiful cities in the world, it

is wonderful or rather "wicked awe-

some" as they put it. Finally, I think I

should tell you about the people; they

are very friendly and kind. Mr Rick

and Mrs. Tricia are amazing; they

truly treated us like VIP's. I quite

appreciate that. Even when we went

shopping, people behaved in a very

civilized way which really impressed

me. Before I forget, life in the campus

was really great and despite the fact

that the food was different from ours,

I can assure you that I rarely felt

home sick I truly felt home there.

First of all, I met people of various

nationalities, culture, religion and

traditions too. I had the chance to

share my opinions, ideas and partici-

pate in the negotiation with the other

girls and even experts such as diplo-

mats, members of organizations such

as Human Rights, Children's Health ...

etc.. We even had the chance to visit

two major universities in the world

(Harvard and Suffolk). In fact, what

really impressed me is the civic spirit

of the American people, organization,

civilization and above all, the respect

of the time! The program was fol-

lowed minute by minute and letter by

letter ... Wow!

In addition to the conferences we had

the chance to refresh ourselves a

little playing football, shopping and

especially the attended the Rock and

Roll concert. And the best was when

we moved to Grafton, MA and

moved to Brigham Hill Community

Farm for half a day to harvest vegeta-

bles, wash them, and wrap them in

order to send then at “County

Worcester Food Bank”. At the end, I

will make you aware that we were

doing our best to represent Muslim

women, Algerian, Arab and Kabyle.

Souad HAMIDI, Chaperon, Access Teacher, Oran

Amel Boucetta, Student Algerian Muslim Scouts, Tizi Ouzou

Cerine Ouardia Dilmi, Access Student, Algiers ideas about them. What I will never

forget throughout the week is the community service project where I

was volunteering on community farm. I worked to harvest, wash, package,

and weigh vegetables, all of the food harvested from farm is donated to

feed the hungry.

I participated in group discussions

about the importance of the human

right declaration, and we attended

also a conference in Harvard Univer-

sity to learn the art of negotiation.

On Monday, the last day of the con-

ference, we went to Massachusset

State House where we presented our

action plan to a panel of local leaders,

I played the Algerian anthem with my

flute, and then my classmate pre-

sented the project. At the final cul-

tural night reception, each country

presented something, in my turn I

talked about my country, I played a

traditional song with the flute, and

then I shared with the audience my

documentary about cancer. I will not

forget to mention the amazing

city «Boston» and all the outing we

had. I believe that women to women

lighted my dream and the dream of

each woman because it gives us the

opportunity, tools, relationship re-

quired to lead, and to contribute to a

positive change around the World

and make a difference today!

Throughout the week I had the op-

portunity to learn about the current status of women and girls around the

world. I had exchanged ideas, and developed others from w2w partici-

pants. For instance I had a long nego-tiation with an afghan girl; she told me

a lot about how women do think and live in her country, what were their

problems; in my turn I talked about my country, our tradition, culture,

education, thinking, and Algerian

women issues in general. W2W program was an exceptional

opportunity to meet and establish lifelong relationship with people all

over the world. What I liked was my relation with Jewish people I have

learned a lot from their customs, and education; before I had some wrong

Page 2 El-Djazair Alumni Newsletter

Souad HAMIDI, The Chaperon

Cerine Ouardia Dilmi

Amel during her introduction speech at the DCM’s Reception

Tuesday, August 4, 2010, in the afternoon we were there in Boston

Lesley University! I was amazed by the architecture, the height build-ings, and those small houses with a

garden, everything was different

and it was very calm. Because of jetlag we couldn‟t sleep very early but it was an opportu-

nity to know the others, I met girls from different countries different background and religious, and by the next days we became friends, I

have now friends from USA , Paki-

stan , Kuwait , Egypt…. I was inspired by women there, they came to share with us their

experience and how they were able to face the sanctions in their live,

and they are truly leaders. I really loved the Interfaith Discus-sion with Religious Leaders, we

went to a mosque and a lot of stereotypes were broken. The girls learned about Islam and what is

Islam; when we went to Harvard University the managing director of the school taught me one thing: if

you are a good negotiator you can ask for what you need and get the results you want in your commu-nity. The next thing is Community

Harvard Project, we volunteer to

help in a farm, each thing I did that day I really felt like I am feeding a

hungry baby, we were exhausted

but we had a lot of fun too. Speaking of fun even the schedule

was full however the leisure activi-ties were included, that amazing

Boston tour, the New England Aquarium, shopping and I loved the rock concert. Frankly speaking I

didn‟t like the food everything tastes different even the water! I was eating fruit and cakes. It was

super sad when we had to leave all

of them on Tuesday.

It was a wonderful trip, the best

ever and I will never forget my new

friends and I want to give my deep-

est thanks to the ones that really

helped me to be there and experi-

ence all of that, thank you so much!

the exemplar citizen, in order to

influence my community and make

changes in my whole country. I

learned that there is no community

without unity and together we can

be the voices of all women who

could not let their voices be heard.

I learned that ''When the power of

love overcomes the love of power,

the world will know peace'' like

Jimi Hendrix said. I learned that

even the diversity of cultures,

Taking part in W2W conference

was the great thing that I did ever.

It was so interesting. The meetings

were peaceful, constructive and

the discussions were respectful, full

of cultural exchange. I learned

many things about many new

things. I learned that making my

society better or may be the best

starts by making changes in myself,

changing my wrong behaviors for

the correct ones and trying to be

opinions and religions we still are

humans working for the same aims.

And being far of my family with a

new lovely one had really improved

my sense of leadership, maturity

and responsibility.

I really feel myself ready to take the

challenge and make changes since

my action plan for the future is to

create an association called SOS

Women in Troubles fighting for

women's rights, encouraging

Soumia Hadjab, Access Student, Setif

Yousra Amina Bettioui, Access Student, Algiers

Hayem Hadj Aissa, Access Student, Batna

felt that I did something, I helped

the poor children and I made a

change. I will never forget this

experience which gave me hope to

move forward and realize that I

was born for a reason which is

leaving a print in my life, so I could

know deep inside me that I'm living

for myself, for women and for my

country.

How could I describe my experi-

ence, or the opportunity that I had

which was the best thing that ever

happened to me. I had a big chance

to learn more about myself as a

woman and about others. I liked

everything about this conference

like the lectures, the rock concert,

the cook off and maybe the food

too, but it was a very short time

even though it was enough for me

because I had the chance to show

my real religion and true culture,

not to forget the farm day when I

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 9

Yousra Amira Bettioui.

Soumia Hadjab

Hayem Hadj Aissa

Thankfully, and as an Alumni Ac-

cess student I was accepted to

attend the W2W program under

the name of Empower Peace Or-

ganization (EPO), where I met

engaged leaders and was in touch

with so many people such as politi-

cians, diplomats, panels, association

founders, Media heads, etc. During

each single conference we dis-

cussed women issues and chal-

lenges and raised many social,

political and economic points as

questions, answers, debates and

even points of view.

The fruitful panels' meetings that

we used to attend helped me find

the power of leadership inside me,

made me adopt the idea of running

a political office so that I will be

able to improve both the small and

the large skills I learned from the

conference. Moreover, put my

action plan; the project we - the

Algerian delegation members- were

supposed to supply the program

with; into practice in my country.

The Algerian delegation action plan

was “founding an association called

SOSFED as SOS Femmes En Diffi-

culties “through which we can help

women in troubles in Algeria.

With the help of Mr Rendon, Mrs.

Reynard and all W2W and EPO

staff the conference successfully

and positively put its print not just

in my life but in one hundred and

ten female delegate‟s lives from

different parts in the world. We

were all like a family defending

women's rights which are a part of

human rights. What was amazing is

that the W2W program schedule

we were given as soon as we ar-

rived contained other activities

beside of the panels' conferences.

Among those activities: shopping

trips, soccer course, Rock and Roll

band night, community service

(helping in the farm), etc

Amira Djabrouni, Access Student, Ouargla

Fatima Zohra Himlili, Access Student, Bechar

beautiful places like aquarium,

soccer clinic, Harvard ... I spent

great time. I learned how to be a

great leader and how to take the

responsibility for myself. I felt in

control I‟m so happy because there

is a big change, the best thing that I

liked and I‟m proud of is I told

them about our customs, I showed

them our traditional clothes, we

discussed about religions as well. I

gave them courses about our tradi-

tions I was able to make friends

and we worked hand in hand. I

learned how to negotiate; I learned

a lot of things I have never learned

about them before. I have never

thought that 7 days make a differ-

ence, a change and let me become

a STRONG WOMEN. I didn‟t like

the ending it was so sad everyone

went back home it was so difficult

to say goodbye because I lived with

them unforgettable days full of

happiness and work. For sure, it

will be stuck in my mind forever!

I am really happy because during

the W2W conference I felt being a

strong leader, representing my

country. The special thing I loved

is that the conference has attracted

young women from all over the

world so that I had the opportunity

to meet national and international

women. I learned a lot of things

from them; they really inspired me

with their works. Boston is won-

derful you can find whatever you

want, the climate is fantastic I have

a great honor to tell you that peo-

ple are friendly especially when I

got lost I found the help. I visited

Page 4 El-Djazair Alumni Newsletter

Amira Djabrouni

Fatima Zohra

Himlili

W2W Participants W2W Conference at Harvard University

Caption describing picture or graphic.

The W2W journey was the

most amazing one for me be-

cause of my first trip in the US,

and the program was really

enriching as I have learned

many things that I didn't know

before. I knew that woman all

over the world do not have the

same rights as man even in the

US, and I have learned that to

be a future leader I need to be

more confident and more un-

derstanding. I have learned how

to negotiate and the key to be

a good negotiator is to listen to

the others and try not to fight

but to convince and persuade

them with the best arguments.

The program wasn't the only

thing I appreciated, I also loved

the city of Boston, it is a great

city and its people were very

nice to us.

The food wasn't so bad, I al-

most ate ham but fortunately I

noticed before it was late. All I

can say it won‟t be enough to

describe this week which I'll

keep in my memory forever!

or lose confidence in our self al-

ways stand up and speak about

what we are thinking, And this is

what I did and I have never imag-

ined myself to have the confidence

and speak in front of 120 delegates.

So I'm proud of myself and I hope

that I can do more in my commu-

nity.

First of all I wanted to thank all the members of the US Embassy for

that great opportunity. I really enjoyed the week , and I learned a lot of things about giving , sharing

and the most important thing lead-ership....when I was there I made a lot of friends nearly from all over

the world .

It's true that the program was full

but it was very interesting to meet

all the speakers and diplomats, I

learned something: never be shy

Ines Harfi, Access Student, Bejaia

Sara Zoulim, Access Student, Oran

Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 9

Sara Zoulim

Ines Harfi

Pre-Departure Meeting

Listening to DCM, Deputy Chief of Mission, William Jordan.

Last Picture Back to Algeria.

U.S. Embassy Algiers http://algiers.usembassy.gov/

Contact your

Alumni Coordinator/Educational Adviser:

Boussoufaa@state.gov

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

STATE ALUMNI is the official website for more than 1,000,000 alumni of exchange programs spon-

sored by the U.S. Department of State‟s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Interactive, dy-

namic and password-protected, alumni.state.gov offers alumni from U.S. government-sponsored

exchange programs a place to network with other alumni from around the globe; share information

about exchange programs and alumni activities; participate in Q&A Live discussions with experts; and

access resources such as grants, jobs and research databases.

Build upon your exchange experience. Visit: https://alumni.state.gov

What is the Competitive College Club? The Competitive College Club is an EducationUSA program that assists high

school students who want to apply to competitive US universities; it pro-

vides guidance in the admission process for highly selective US universities

that will meet each student‟s academic and financial need.

Students meet monthly and participate in lectures, book clubs, community

service activities, cross cultural exercises and test preparation. The activities

help ensure that students are properly advised as they go through a process

of preparing themselves both academically and socially for a US university

and find schools that might be a good fit.

Who can apply?

The CCC is open to Algerian high school students who:

Secondary and high-school students aged 14 -17

Have good academic records

How to apply?

Send an email to: EducationUSA-Algiers@state.gov

Send scanned copies of college/high-school score records Send a scanned photo

The Competitive College Club starting date is September 2010.

Coming Up: Competitive College Club