Communication Vocational Health/Wellness Leadership/          Democracy Cultural

Niger is a new democracy and has had its current democratic government since 1999. As in many new democracies, the rights and responsibilities of the individual in government are not well-understood concepts. Therefore, EL thinks it crucial to reinforce principles of human rights and the role of the educated citizen in determining a country's future. Special emphasis is put on the role of women as leaders. Curriculum help for women's leadership is provided by www.learningpartnership.org. Participants discuss their experiences with and as leaders. They further work to develop skills to identify projects and partners and work through a plan to implement in their home communities. Niles West High School Peer Mediators use their training and experience as problem solvers to present weekly workshops on theory and practice of mediation. This experience also promotes the idea of young people as leaders.