Ammon News - AMMAN – Ten Jordanian youth active in civil society celebrated completion of a series of radio broadcasting workshops organized by the U.S. Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Alumni Network. The youth, ages 18 to 24, produced their own demo tapes and worked individually with radio broadcasting professionals in the course of the three-month “Radio Star Search” project to hone their broadcasting skills.

At a graduation ceremony on March 29 attended by the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Lawrence Mandel, trainer Zafer Younis from PlayFM announced the winning demo tape and handed out certificates to the 10 participants along with Alumni Network Coordinator Lina Arafat. Deputy Chief of Mission Mandel, congratulated the group and encouraged their continued activism and outreach using their newly acquired radio broadcasting skills.

Participant Deema Hamdan said of the training, “It was simply a fantastic experience, especially on production day. I wish more participants could have the same chance I had. It was very interesting and unique training which gave me deep insight into the radio station life in detail, and how to utilize such opportunities in making our words heard.”

MEPI sponsors regular exchange programs for youth and young professionals in Jordan and across the region, and it awards small grants to local organizations in the region to advance democratic reform. Through the MEPI Alumni Network in Jordan, former exchange participants and grant recipients remain active in community service projects, training, and civic activism. For more information on MEPI, please visit: www.mepi.state.gov