The U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative ( MEPI ) is a United States State Department program that fosters meaningful and effective partnerships between citizens, civil society, the private sector, and governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to resolve local challenges and promote shared interests in the areas of participatory governance and economic opportunity and reform.
51-477: The Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction was established by Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1992 to recognize leading scientists for their significant work in advancing research concepts or clinical application in the fields of breast cancer research, screening or treatment. The intent of the award is to recognize scholars for a specific contribution, a consistent pattern of contributions, or leadership in
102-475: A control group . In April 2010, Komen partnered with fast food restaurant chain KFC to offer "Buckets for the Cure," a promotion in which fried and grilled chicken was sold in pink, branded buckets. The collaboration was criticized by media outlets, including The Colbert Report and Bitch magazine , and raised questions about promoting unhealthy eating habits. KFC contributed over $ 4.2 million to Komen,
153-572: A $ 250,000 matching grant from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a $ 250,000 gift from a foundation run by the CEO of Bonanza Oil Co. in Dallas to replace the lost funding. Four days later, Komen's board of directors reversed the decision and announced that it would amend the policy to "make clear that disqualifying investigations must be criminal and conclusive in nature and not political.". Several top-level staff members resigned from Komen during
204-542: A 64% raise. Komen said the last CEO salary hike had taken place in November 2010. Charity Navigator continued to give Komen favorable overall ratings based on figures Komen had declared to the IRS, but Charity Navigator president and CEO Ken Berger called this compensation "extremely high".. This pay package is way outside the norm. It's about a quarter of a million dollars more than what we see for charities of this size. This
255-407: A case in which Komen told the organization Uniting Against Lung Cancer no longer to use the name "Kites for the Cure" for its annual fund-raising event. Komen also wrote to the organization to warn it "against any use of pink in conjunction with 'cure.'" More than 100 small charities have received legal opposition from Komen as a consequence of the use of the words "for the cure" in their names. Among
306-480: A congressional investigation by Representative Cliff Stearns and a newly created internal rule about not funding organizations under federal, state, or local investigation. While conservative religious and anti-abortion groups applauded the move, it was denounced by several editorials, women's health advocacy groups, and politicians. In the 24 hours after the news broke, Planned Parenthood received more than $ 400,000 from 6,000 donors, followed by pledges of
357-602: A decline of 22% in contributions in the year following their decision to cease (and then resume) funding for Planned Parenthood. Karen Handel , the Brinker protégée whose opposition to abortion was at the center of the Planned Parenthood controversy, resigned and has published a book on the controversy titled Planned Bullyhood . In 2006, Komen wrote in its newsletter that embryonic stem cell research had promise for curing breast cancer. One such grant recipient
408-615: A joint Middle East Free Trade zone by 2013. In March 2003, William J. Burns , Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and Wendy Chamberlin , Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Near East, U.S. Agency for International Development, testified before the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia on the operational aspects of MEPI and how they reflected U.S. policy of
459-652: A means to implement democracy in foreign policy, "The war in Iraq has fostered the false impression that military force is the only instrument of regime change, when in fact it is the rarest used and least effective way to promote democratic change abroad. A wiser, more effective, and more sustainable strategy must emphasize nonmilitary tools aimed at changing the balance of power between democratic forces and autocratic rulers and, only after there has been progress toward democracy, building liberal institutions." Critics have charged that MEPI hinders reform by working too closely within
510-456: A third of the more than 700 chemicals used in fracking are endocrine disruptors and at least a quarter increase the risk of cancer. In 2007, the organization changed its name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and trademarked the running ribbon as part of its branding strategy. Komen has come under fire for legal action against other organizations using the phrase "for the cure" in their names. An August 2010 Wall Street Journal article detailed
561-506: A year from 216 corporate sponsors. Critics say many of these promotions are deceptive, benefiting the companies more than the charity, and promoting products that may cause cancer. Some campaigns require that consumers mail proof of purchase for a promoted item before the manufacturer donates, and some have a cap on the maximum amount donated. Since its Save Lids to Save Lives campaign began in 1998, Yoplait has donated more than $ 25 million to Komen. In 2010, its annual maximum commitment
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#1732802513864612-415: Is able to utilize "the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion or payments. It arises from the attractiveness of a country's culture, political ideals, and policies. When our policies are seen as legitimate in the eyes of others, our soft power is enhanced.". In a June 2007 article for The Stanley Foundation, Francis Fukuyama and Michael McFaul endorsed American soft power as
663-609: Is located within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in the U.S. State Department. In addition to its headquarters in Washington, D.C. , MEPI has regional offices in the MENA region. Soft power , a phrase coined by political theorist and author, Joseph S. Nye Jr. , is used as a complement to America's military strength, or hard power , in a post 9-11 world. Nye believes that by incorporating soft power in U.S. national strategy, America
714-732: Is more than the head of the Red Cross is making for an organization that is one-tenth the size of the Red Cross. After the release of this information, Judith A. Salerno was named CEO, with Brinker named Founder and Chair of Global Strategy. Middle East Partnership Initiative Focusing on promoting stability and prosperity in the region, MEPI supports partnerships through projects that are responsive to emerging opportunities by being field-driven, applying evidence-based decision-making, and designing results-oriented projects. Four of MEPI's most prominent leadership programs are its annual Student Leaders program that brings students from all over
765-538: Is only one set of countries that is completely undemocratic: the Arab world." Mr. Gershman stated further that "democracy will not come about if people dwell on the past or are obsessed with blame-placing, but only if they seek practical solutions to real problems. If this is true, it follows that a change in political culture – replacing attitudes of victimization with a readiness to engage in self-criticism and to take responsibility for one's own fate – can only come from within
816-679: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , suggested in February 2005, that MEPI should be reestablished as the Middle East Foundation (MEF), a private foundation that would be eligible for funding in a line-item grant in the foreign affairs account of the federal budget. If freed from the constraints of an aid program affiliated with the State Department, Carothers argued, such a foundation would enjoy
867-468: The Prime Minister of Israel 's wife Sara Netanyahu . As of 2013 , Komen raised over $ 36 million a year from over 60 cause marketing partnerships. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is Komen's main fundraising event and the world's largest funding event for breast cancer. It consists of a series of 5K runs and fitness walks to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. The first race
918-566: The War on Terrorism . Rep. Steve Chabot , R- OH and Rep. William Janklow , R-SD, questioned how reforms would be enacted to deal with textbooks that taught Arab children "anti-Jewish sentiment" and "racist" hatred. Burns responded that "detoxification" would be encouraged by MEPI, particularly in the Palestinian school system. Chamberlin stated that USAID would attempt to address this through teacher training programs. A February 2, 2010, article in
969-478: The 2008 model year, Ford Motor Company built a branded limited edition of 2,500 Ford Mustang motorcars with a "Warriors in Pink" package as part of its long-running association with Komen; an additional 1,000 were offered for 2009's model year. A longitudinal study found that women employed in the automotive plastics industry are almost five times as likely to develop breast cancer before menopause than women in
1020-402: The Arab world." MEPI's original mandate was to address four deficits in the Arab world identified by the 2002 Arab Human Development Report —deficits in political freedom, economic freedom, knowledge, and women's rights. In that same U.N. report, Arab scholars wrote that a choice had to be made between "inertia…[and] an Arab renaissance that will build a prosperous future for all Arabs." MEPI
1071-585: The Cure Susan G. Komen (formerly known as Susan G. Komen for the Cure ; originally as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation ; often referred to simply as Komen ) is a breast cancer organization in the United States . Komen works on patient navigation and advocacy , providing resources for breast-cancer patients to understand the American medical system. They have funded research into
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#17328025138641122-491: The Cure and Breast Cancer 3 Day fundraisers. It spent the majority (51%) of this money on education efforts, which included advocacy, patient support services, national campaigns and educational events. 36% of the budget goes toward fundraising and administrative costs, and the remaining 13% is split between research, treatment, and screening efforts. Komen provides funding for basic, clinical, and translational breast cancer research and in breast health education. As of 2007,
1173-661: The Jerusalem Post reported that a UK watchdog group, The Taxpayer's Alliance, has tracked European taxpayer-funded aid to the Palestinians. In recently released reports, the Alliance found that anti-Semitic and anti-Israel narratives continue to persist in Palestinian textbooks in violation of the 1994 Oslo Accords . In a November 2003 speech given at the National Endowment for Democracy , also known as
1224-507: The Komen affiliate, with the remaining quarter sent to the central organization. Komen's other nationwide events include: In 2010, Komen was rated one of the most trusted nonprofit organizations in America. But, in light of scandals breaking between 2011 and 2017, revenue declined by roughly 80%, and a number of affiliates merged or dissolved. Komen's ranking on Charity Navigator, which
1275-484: The MENA region through accredited regional institutions. MEPI advances participatory governance in viewing citizens' role as direct deliberative engagement with decision-makers and processes. Broader citizen participation in governance ensures inclusive decision-making and transparent political processes, promotes stability and enhances citizen confidence in government. MEPI empowers citizens to engage with governments in shaping their demands for services and opportunities on
1326-567: The MENA region to participate in an intensive leadership training course of approximately 5 weeks in the United States, its Leaders for Democracy Fellowship program that provides early and mid-career professionals from the MENA region with the opportunity to complete training in participatory governance, conflict resolution, and political mobilization and communication, and its Tomorrow's Leaders undergraduate and graduate program which provides scholarships to promising, under-served students from
1377-505: The NED, President Bush stressed the need to spread democracy to the Arab and Muslim-majority countries of the Middle East to address the deficits of freedom. Carl Gershman, president of the NED, in his remarks delivered at the December 12, 2003, Conference on Mideast Regional Security V, reinforced President Bush's words with his own, "By any category that is meaningful in the world today, there
1428-503: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982. In 2007, the 25th anniversary of the organization , they changed the name to "Susan G. Komen for the Cure" and its logo to the pink ribbon . The logo represents Komen's signature Race for the Cure event, a jogging race that raises money for the foundation. In December 2009, Nancy Brinker was appointed CEO of the organization. Judith A. Salerno became CEO in 2012. In November 2016,
1479-400: The U.S. occupation in Iraq needed to be resolved before reforms could be introduced. Liz Cheney refuted those critics by stating that the U.S. administration believed without reform, the region would continue to generate "ideologies of hate and violence." Cheney believed that reforms as well as resolutions to regional issues could occur concurrently. Economic and political reforms would influence
1530-616: The United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. In 2010, Komen was active in over 50 countries, with its largest affiliates in Italy and Germany . On October 28, 2010, Jerusalem held its first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, with over 5,000 Christian, Muslim, and Jewish participants. Before the race, the Old City 's walls were illuminated pink by Komen's founder, Nancy Brinker, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat , and
1581-555: The absolute dollar amount of those grants had been steadily growing, it was not keeping pace with the surge in donations Komen had received. In 2011, the foundation spent $ 63 million (15%) of its donations on research grants and awards. In 2006, Komen joined the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, a Middle East Partnership Initiative program. Komen has programs in Egypt, Israel,
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1632-510: The causes and treatment of breast cancer. However, the organization has been mired by controversy over pinkwashing , allocation of research funding, and CEO pay. The foundation's revenue and public perception have steeply declined since 2010. The foundation's namesake , Susan Goodman Komen, died of breast cancer in 1980 at age 36. Her younger sister Nancy Brinker , who has stated that she believed Susan's outcome might have been better had she known more about cancer and its treatment, founded
1683-400: The controversy. In August, Brinker announced she would leave her CEO role. The number of participants at various Komen fundraising events dropped 15–30% in 2012. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure fundraising walks were scaled back to seven US cities in 2013 from 14, due to a 37% drop in participation over the preceding four years. In January 2014 it was reported that the foundation saw
1734-555: The field that has had a substantial impact on the fight against breast cancer. The awardees are nominated and selected by a panel of their peers. Recipients are also invited to present their work in a lecture at the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). Brinker Award recipients each receive a $ 20,000 honorarium and a special citation of this distinction. Past recipients of the Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction include Susan G. Komen for
1785-411: The future of the Middle East. Cheney offered that court systems needed to be reformed in order to instill investor confidence in the region. Although there is increasing debate over the need for Arab countries to reform politically and economically, most of these Arab countries are suspicious when such reform is called for by the U.S. government. Thomas Carothers , an authority on democracy promotion at
1836-543: The goal of MEPI was to create "a long-term prospect" for reform, "not something that is going to be done in one year or five years.". MEPI was designed to target areas not served by USAID , the United States' main foreign aid and development program. Initially dependent on USAID in support of its mission, MEPI has come into its own and targets short-term programs addressing political change in order for USAID longer-term development programs to be successful. In 2002, Elizabeth Cheney and daughter of Vice-President Dick Cheney ,
1887-574: The largest single contribution in the organization's history. The partnership with KFC, which has since ended, allowed Komen "to reach many millions of women that they had been unable to reach before", said Brinker. In April 2011, Komen introduced a perfume brand, "Promise Me," promoted by Brinker on the Home Shopping Network , only to encounter opposition due to its potentially harmful ingredients coumarin , oxybenzone , toluene , and galaxolide . Komen said it intended to reformulate
1938-557: The limitations set by the Arab governments in the regions it serves. MEPI has addressed these concerns through its small grants programs shifting away from Arab government agencies to work directly with civil society activists. MEPI critics in the Arab world saw the initiative as the U.S. means to impose reforms on the Middle East following 9-11 and complained that the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Arab territories and
1989-495: The local, regional, and national levels. MEPI bolsters civil society to effectively interact with government officials to increase their responsiveness to citizen needs and with citizens to channel their participation in decision-making. MEPI supports government officials' efforts to increase their engagement with and responsiveness to citizens to resolve issues of shared concern. Economic opportunity and reforms are cornerstones for fostering partnership between citizens, civil society,
2040-777: The majority of their own funds towards research for a cure." Beginning in 2007, Komen granted money to pay for 170,000 clinical breast exams and 6,400 mammogram referrals through the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and affiliates. Komen had said its affiliates provide funds for screening, education, and treatment programs in dozens of communities where Planned Parenthood is the only place poor, uninsured or under-insured women can receive these services. Planned Parenthood clinics do not perform mammograms, instead making referrals for their patients to sites that do them. On January 31, 2012, Komen stopped funding exams provided by Planned Parenthood , citing
2091-401: The offending organizations and events were " Par for the Cure," " Surfing for a Cure," " Cupcakes for a Cure, " and " Mush for the Cure ". Komen says that the organization protects its trademarks as a matter of financial stewardship to prevent confusion among donors; others suggest that the trademark issue is more about dominating the pink ribbon market. Critics have also asserted that
Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction - Misplaced Pages Continue
2142-632: The organization announced that Salerno would step down as CEO the following month. In 2017, former fashion executive and breast cancer survivor Paula Schneider became the CEO. In 2023, the former executive director of the Nobel Prize-winning organization Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) Donna McKay became the CEO. Komen's Fiscal Year 2020 Spending In the 2020 fiscal year, Komen reported $ 195 million in public support, less direct benefits to donors . Of this, $ 137 million came from contributions and $ 72 million from Komen's flagship Race for
2193-488: The organization had awarded more than 1,000 breast cancer research grants totaling more than $ 180 million. Since 1992, Komen has also annually awarded work in the field of cancer research with the Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction . In 2012, an analysis of Komen's finances by Reuters showed that the proportion of fundraising dollars it spent on research grants decreased by more than half. While
2244-468: The perfume but did not withdraw existing stocks of the "Promise Me" product from distribution. In October 2014, the Houston-based oil field services company Baker Hughes was reported to have produced 1,000 pink drill bits to raise breast cancer awareness. The bits are used to break up geologic formations in oil patches for hydraulic fracturing . These ties have been criticized because more than
2295-501: The private sector, and governments. MEPI partners with the U.S. private sector in areas of mutual interest to promote business enabling environments, entrepreneurship, and a skilled labor force to help cultivate broad-based opportunities. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell , serving under President George W. Bush , announced the creation of MEPI in a December 2002 speech at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. , declaring that
2346-416: The slogan itself implies that the majority of Komen's income will fund research for a cure instead of mere treatment or detection; however Komen's own figures for the 2020 fiscal year reveal that only 5% of their total budget goes to research. In the words of cancer survivor Alicia Staley, "an organization that is actively pursuing other small charities over the use of the term 'for the cure' does not spend
2397-752: Was Robert A. Weinberg, Ph.D., through Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at MIT . In 2011, the anti-abortion Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer said that Komen gave $ 12 million to institutions such as Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the U.S. National Cancer Institute that funded stem cell research, which the Coalition considered to be abortion. In 2012, Komen said that it had never funded stem cell research. According to Science magazine, Christopher Umbricht got nearly $ 600,000 from Komen for molecular marker research at Johns Hopkins that includes stem cells. According to Komen's 2011–12 IRS Form 990 declarations, Brinker made $ 684,717 that fiscal year,
2448-504: Was appointed U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs and tasked with supervising MEPI. Cheney explained that under MEPI, the US administration funded programs as diverse as training Arab journalists to revising current teaching methods from rote learning to more child-oriented teaching methods. Additionally, MEPI supported countries seeking to sign Free Trade Agreements with the United States to meet President Bush’s goal to establish
2499-513: Was four stars (the highest rating) in 2013, sank to two stars in 2014. As of 2021, it ranks three stars, with a score of 82 out of 100. In 2023 it ranks 4 stars with a 95% rating. Komen has become controversial for alleged " pinkwashing ". The term criticizes either disproportionate publicity for organizations that donate very little , or organizations using the pink ribbon to promote products that may be carcinogenic . Komen benefits from corporate partnerships, receiving over $ 55 million
2550-644: Was raised to $ 1.6 million. In return, a major sponsor such as Yoplait obtains an exclusive contract; no other yogurt manufacturer may use the branding. In 2002, credit card operator American Express launched the "Charge for a Cure" campaign that claimed that "in the search for a cure, every dollar counts." The amount donated per qualifying transaction, regardless of the purchase amount, was one cent. Several water bottle retailers have partnered with Komen. Water cooler bottles made of polycarbonate may contain BPA , which has been linked to breast cancer tumor growth. For
2601-467: Was run in Dallas, Texas in 1983, with 800 participants. By 2016, over 1.6 million people participated in the race. The race's primary source of revenue is donations collected by the participants. In 2011, Komen said that three-quarters of the event's proceeds were being used locally to pay for community outreach programs, breast health education, and breast cancer screening and treatment projects run by
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