Program Profile

Soliya – Connect Program

  • Undergraduate
  • Young Adult

Soliya’s Connect Program brings together college-aged youth in the United States and in the Middle East and North Africa for online, face-to-face dialogue.

This iteration of programming has ended. For information on current programming we support through Soliya’s Connect Program, see here.

Participants discuss global and social issues in the presence of trained facilitators, engaging in both synchronous (live) and asynchronous exchange. Through facilitated discussions on a wide range of topics, including potentially divisive ones – such as as religion, gender, current events, social culture, media, and the environment – participants develop greater global awareness while building critical 21st century skills and attitudes including cross–cultural communication, leadership, empathy, collaborative problem-solving and critical thinking. Learn more.

Activities

Participants are placed in small, diverse groups for the duration of the program. During the first week, participants begin by identifying what they believe are the most pressing global issues and build a list of topics they will explore together. Then, during the program, each session begins with a learning component that helps participants strengthen their skills and leads into a facilitated discussion on one or more group-selected topics during which they share their perspectives and life experiences, explore others’ views, and engage with differences constructively.  The live dialogue sessions are supported by a curriculum of required readings, assignments and asynchronous activities designed to support participants’ learning process and enable them to practice the skills and attitudes developed during their synchronous exchanges.

Program Details
  • Number of Participants: 6,533
  • Participant Age Group: Undergraduate/Young Adult
  • Partners: Learn about Soliya’s partners in the United States and Middle East and North Africa here.
  • Project Duration: April 2019 – June 2023

If you are interested in bringing this program to your institution, complete this form.

Connect Program is implemented by Soliya and is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.