ABOUT US
Our Story
The Washington Center for Yemeni Studies (WCYS) is a nonprofit based in Washington, DC, committed to elevating Yemeni American voices and shaping U.S. policy on Yemen. We provide trusted research, civic education, and advocacy to connect communities with policymakers.
From immigration to foreign aid and national security, U.S. policy on Yemen directly impacts Yemeni American families and futures. Yet too often, our voices are excluded from the rooms where these decisions are made. Founded by Yemeni-American activists founded in 2019, WCYS ensures that our community is seen, heard, and represented.
What We Envision
We envision WCYS as the leading source of credible information on Yemen. We amplify Yemeni voices, inform U.S. policy and public discourse, and empower Yemeni Americans to shape decisions that impact their communities at home and abroad.
What We Do
We build a bridge between the Yemeni American community and U.S. institutions. Through research, media outreach, civic education, and policy engagement, we elevate community voices, cultivate leadership, and advance informed policymaking.
How We Do It
We shape policy and media narratives by centering Yemeni expertise and the lived experiences of Yemeni-Americans. We foster representative engagement and ensure that those most affected by U.S. policy are heard in the decisions that matter.
Comprehensive Engagement for U.S.-Yemen Policy
Since 2021, WCYS has briefed over 100 congressional offices, provided civic training to more than 250 community members, supported over 10 fellows and interns, and produced research that informs policymakers and public discourse. Our work at WCYS encompasses a range of activities aimed at comprehensively addressing these urgent challenges.
Research: We produce nonpartisan policy briefs and analysis on Yemen’s evolving political, economic, security, and humanitarian landscape.
Engagement: We convene our annual National Yemen Advocacy Day to engage the Yemeni-American community with lawmakers to elevate community priorities.
Education: We provide fellowships, internships, and public programs that equip a new generation of Yemeni policy leaders.
Our Objectives
We aim to create a lasting and transformative impact on the discussion about Yemen in Washington, fostering a thriving Yemeni-American society, amplifying their voices, and building a peaceful and prosperous future for Yemen. We accomplish this by:
We accomplish this by:
- Amplifying Yemeni voices: We serve as a platform for Yemeni Americans and Yemenis worldwide to share their stories, perspectives, and demands.
- Protecting civil liberties and democratic due process: We advocate for justice and respect for human rights for all Yemenis, regardless of their background or political affiliation.
- Promoting knowledge and understanding: We conduct in-depth research and analysis on Yemen's complex political, social, and economic landscape, providing trusted information to policymakers, the media, and the public.
- Empowering communities: We offer educational resources, workshops, and civic engagement training to Yemeni communities in the US and Yemen, fostering their active participation in shaping their future.
