VZCZCXRO5648
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #1611 3180944
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140944Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0266
INFO RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001611 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (BJACKSON), ECA/PE/C/CU (RKEITH), NEA/PPD 
(DBENZE), NEA (CBOURGEOIS) 
 
E.O.  12958: N/A 
TAGS: SCUL KPAO OEXC KU
SUBJECT: A Leadership and Democracy Workshop for Kuwait's Youth 
 
 
¶1.  Summary:  On October 29, twelve Kuwaiti Youth Exchange and Study 
(YES) program alumni participated in an Embassy-organized leadership 
workshop. The one-day workshop was held at the U.S. Embassy and 
incorporated group-development activities, discussion of leadership 
theories, social activism, and organizational management skills. 
Public Affairs managed to solidify U.S. involvement with those 
Kuwaitis who have traveled to the United States on exchange programs 
and promote democracy initiatives.  This workshop was especially 
designed to provide the participants of USG programs with the 
leadership skills necessary for organizing an effective alumni 
association of their own.  End Summary 
 
Encouraging Leadership Development and Activism 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶2.  Embassy public diplomacy officers organized a one-day workshop 
teaching leadership skills to Kuwaiti students on October 29, 2007. 
Twelve highly-motivated alums of the YES program participated in 
group activities designed to enhance their leadership potential and 
thereby expand the capabilities of their alumni organization.  PAS 
also invited alumni of other, USG-sponsored exchange visitor 
programs, including MEPI's Study of the U.S. Institutes, YES and 
IVLP, to participate.  Participants gave presentations about the 
leadership skills gained during their visits to the United States 
and the ways that expertise might be used in Kuwait.  The workshop 
attendees indicated that the presentations on public speaking 
skills, writing a constitution, and how to run a meeting were 
extraordinarily informative.  The highlight of the workshop for most 
students was the interactive group problem-solving exercises because 
of the trust developed and the use of critical analysis in finding 
solutions.  The positive feedback from the students encouraged PAS 
to seek opportunities for turning this one-day training module on 
leadership into a format that will engage a wider audience of 
Kuwaiti youth. 
 
Bringing Together America's Alumni 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  This workshop incorporated the experiences of YES, MEPI and IVLP 
alumni and introduced those programs to other aspiring young leaders 
in Kuwait.  The activities also proved useful in spreading the 
message of democracy, while teaching leadership skills.  PAS 
received extensive positive feedback from the participating 
students, who were pleasantly surprised that the workshop was not 
only informative but also entertaining.  They felt that the workshop 
was a good way for them to bond as an alumni association and learn 
how to function as an organization.  The alumni requested that the 
Embassy provide similar workshops in the future for their 
counterparts who were unable to attend. 
 
 
********************************************* 
Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait 
 
You can also access this site through the 
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website 
********************************************* 
 
 
MISENHEIMER