WASHINGTON – The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars’ Middle East Program and Environmental Change and Security Program are pleased to announce the incoming cohort for the 2025 Agents of Change Youth Fellowship (ACYF).  

The ACYF is a unique and valuable opportunity for emerging leaders from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region working at the intersection of climate change, development, and security to advance their careers bringing both scholarly and policy expertise to the fellowship experience.  

The theme of this year’s fellowship is water and innovation, which recognizes the need to address water-related challenges in the MENA region and the potential for its youth to meaningfully shape action on water and climate change. “We are delighted to welcome the second cohort of the Agents of Change Fellowship. The group’s diverse backgrounds and experiences across the MENA region will only enrich the learning and offer new opportunities for both professional and personal development,” said Merissa Khurma, Director of the Middle East Program.

“To secure safe drinking water and sanitation for everyone, we must invest beyond individual expertise,” said Lauren Risi, Director of the Environmental Change and Security Program. “We're cultivating a network of emerging leaders who will be ready to unite and innovate when water crises strike. This fellowship isn't just building knowledge—it's forging the collaborative bonds that will become tomorrow's rapid response team for global water challenges.”

The fellows selected for this year’s cohort are Tareq Layka (Syria), Malak Altaeb (Libya), Marzia Husseini (Iran), Abdullah Khateeb (Palestine), Sally Al Mannaie (Jordan), and Yosr Ahmed Khedr (Egypt). Learn more about each fellow and their experience on the fellowship webpage.

This fellowship is supported by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC. "We are grateful to the UAE for their leadership in investing in youth from the region who are dedicated to finding innovative solution to the region's water challenges," added MEP Director Khurma.