Beirut Exchange
Tunis Exchange
Libya Exchange
Yemen Exchange
Erbil Exchange
Beirut EX Facebook
Tunis EX Facebook
Yemen EX Facebook
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Our Team
Promoting professional and academic enrichment through direct engagement conferences in Western Asia & North Africa
Upcoming virtual event organized by the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies and The Exchange Foundation
The Exchange Foundation is an effort by the non-profit, 501 (c)3 Foundation for Global Political Exchange to promote professional and academic enrichment through a variety of small group, direct engagement conferences in Western Asia and North Africa.
During their stay, typically lasting five days to one week, participants from around the world listen to and question leading intellectuals, activists and politicians representing an array of different points of view in a specific country.
The first Exchange was launched in June 2008 in Beirut, Lebanon. Now, more than a decade later, 1000+ people from 51 different countries have attended 40 different Exchanges in the region.
Crucially, all funding for the Exchange comes from only two sources: The participants themselves who pay the participation fee or scholarship recipients who benefit from individual, charitable contributions designed specifically to broaden the social, political and geographic diversity of each Exchange table. As such, there is no government, commercial or non-profit support, an aspect that we believe provides a relatively neutral platform for dialogue and understanding.
Listen to and question leading intellectuals, activists and politicians
Broad social, political and geographic diversity of speakers
Creating a neutral platform for dialogue and understanding
More than 1000 participants, 51 countries, 40 different Exchanges
The best immersion course on a country in transition I’ve seen.
Dr. Alfred Stepan
Dean of the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University
There could not exist a more thorough and intensive immersion into Lebanese history and politics than The Exchange.
Nathan Wexler
Phd. candidate at UC Berkley
I learned more in my 10 days at the Beirut Exchange than in any university course on the subject! This was a wonderful experience filled with fascinating speakers.
CBS News reporter
Nicole Sganga
A well-oiled program that brings you an impressive number and selection of speakers from across the spectrum. Worth every penny!
Oliva Holt-Ivry
Senior Programs Advisor on Women, Peace, and Security, U.S. Department of State
Illuminating and life changing experience. I will recall the Exchange as one of the most authentic educational experiences of my life.
Sahar Rizvi
Student
Research Fellow of the Conflict Research Unit of the Clingendael Institute
Dr. Jalel Harchaoui
Time-tested technique and tactful diplomacy enables The Exchange to achieve an environment conducive to attention, dialogue and reflection.
Who should register?
NGO Practitioners
& Peacebuilders
Foreign Diplomats
& Analysts
Academics
& Researchers
Journalists & Media Professionals
Intensive & Immersive Courses on Western Asia & North Africa
Unique access to information, perspectives, updates and analysis.
Access to information
Gain direct insight and rare first-hand knowledge about the country from a wide range of perspectives.
First-hand knowledge
Engage with speakers during the sessions and connect with them after the Exchange.
Connect with speakers
Participants will have the opportunity to meet, listen and engage leading social, political and economic actors from across the spectrum in Western Asia and North Africa
Dialogue with Leaders
Participants will have the opportunity to meet, listen and engage leading social, political and economic actors from across the spectrum in Western Asia and North Africa
Dialogue with Leaders
Upcoming Exchanges
The 14th Tunis Exchange
Our first post-COVID, in-person Exchange will kick off in Yerevan on September 19, 2021, one year after the latest Armenia-Azerbaijan war.
September 19-26, 2021
The Yemen Exchange is an intensive online version of the Yemen Exchange organized by the Sana’a Center and The Exchange Foundation since 2017.
April 19-30, 2021
The 1st Armenia Exchange
To be held virtually over four Thursday and Saturday mornings (EST time), in partnership with Georgetown University's Democracy and Governance Center.
May 27-June 19, 2021
(Applications open April 1)
(Applications open March 15)
(Applications now open)
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