Creating a Bridge Between the Arab World and it's Diaspora

Al-Mubadarah (Arabic for “Taking Initiative”) is an independent international NGO devoted to developing a global platform for Arab development and strengthening professional ties in and between the Arab World and its Diaspora through innovative human and institutional capacity building programs.  Al-Mubadarah is a multi-level and multi-disciplinary approach for sustainable development through the convening of the diverse groups committed to and interested in strengthening Arab communities and building a brighter, resourceful and interconnected future for the Arab World. Al-Mubadarah is committed to mobilizing and deploying resources to serve an influential platform for information sharing, knowledge building, and international technical assistance for the Arab world (Middle East & North Africa). We are an institution that matches capacities of the diaspora to the needs in the region, providing technical assistance while building institutions, industries, and support services to empower the business and investment communities, support job creation, and empower individuals and communities.

Al-Mubadarah stems from the ongoing need to address a number of challenges and opportunities related to the development of Arab communities and the growing quest for stewardship from and the cooperative engagement of diverse stakeholders. Our work aims to reverse the brain-drain and immigration of talents and skills from the Arab World and to advocate for policies and actions in favor of sustainable and comprehensive Arab development. Al-Mubadarah engages Global Arab Diasporas to become motivated, empowered and personally vested in development throughout the Middle East and North Africa and their home countries.

Areas of work and programmatic focus:

• Al-Mubadarah Fellowship and Mentorship Programs- “Arab Diaspora for Development” – temporary technical assistance professional placement Fellowships in industries and institutions in the Arab world and online professional mentorship services.
• Global Arab Professional Talent Bank – A comprehensive database of global Arabs representing different countries of origins and professional expertise to serve as consultants, mentors, fellows and strategic advisors to development and capacity building programs.
• Policy and Public Forums – Annual Arab Diaspora & Development Forum and special events, panels, workshops and conferences.
• Research and Publications - Focus Groups and Surveys on development, global impact, Arab Diaspora and investment

Our Operations:

Headquartered in Washington, D.C. USA, Al-Mubadarah is expanding its programming and presence regionally in North America, Europe, Latin America, and throughout the Arab world. As we expand our outreach and programming we will continue to build strategic partnerships, global alliances and explore potential business opportunities. Our work is aimed directly at professional and community development in the Arab World (22 countries as defined by the Arab League). We aim to bring the resources, people and talents back to the region.

We strongly believe in mobilizing grassroots communities to serve as advocates for economic and professional development in their homelands and are constantly working to identify potential Al-Mubadarah delegates globally to join our mission (we also accept nominations, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

We are a partnership driven organization and look forward to working with individuals, institutions and networks in diverse communities around the world. We believe in the power of ordinary people to make a substantial impact in the Arab World by contributing to professional development in the area of their expertise and talent! We look forward to hearing from you. If you are an organization and/or network based in the MENA region that is interested in placing an Al-Mubadarah Fellow in your organization, please contact us also.

Our Organizational History:

Al-Mubadarah was officially launched in Washington DC, USA, during a special Public Diplomacy  luncheon "Arab & Muslim Americans Answering Obama's Call" organized in collaboration with the Aspen Institute’s Global Initiative on Culture and Society as part of a series of events related to President Obama’s Summit on Entrepreneurship on April 29, 2010. Since our launch, Al-Mubadarah has partnered with numerous organizations and institutions working in the field of Arab Development including the Aspen Institute, Association of Arab American Engineers and Architects and Harvard Arab Alumni Association for their Harvard Arab Weekend. We have been actively engaged in speaking and listening tours to hear from Diaspora communities their views and aspirations towards a brighter and more prosperous Arab World.

Arab Empowerment Initiative (dba Al-Mubadarah) (TIN 27-2223033) is a nonprofit organization incorporated as a Virginia nonstock corporation.  The IRS has issued a determination that it is a tax-exempt entity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").   Donors who are U.S. taxpayers may claim a tax deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the full extent permitted by section 170 of the Code.

Click on the ATTACHMENTS below to download a PDF version of our FLYER and BROCHURE.