On July 29, the Museum, along with Portland State University, hosted 18 student leaders in the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) program.
Students explored democracy and dissent through art, including work by artists Ai Weiwei, Kaila Farrell-Smith, and Kehinde Wiley. The highly competitive program selects students from countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. They spend six weeks in the United States, including three weeks in Portland at PSU, where they develop leadership skills and expand their understanding of civil society.
Upon completion of the U.S.-based programs, host institutes work with participants to implement civic engagement programs in their home communities.