Privacy Policy
Last updated: 11 May 2026
Mela for Training and Education Activities (“Mela”, the “Mela Network”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) respects the privacy of applicants, members, alumni, partners, sponsors, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and protect it, and the rights you have in relation to that information.
1. Who We Are
Mela – the Middle East Leadership Alliance – is a non-profit organization registered in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as Mela for Training and Education Activities. Mela operates across 14 Arab countries and is part of a global leadership network of approximately 2,000 members. Mela is the data controller for the information processed via melanetwork.org and through its programs.
2. Information We Collect
To assess applications, deliver our programs, and operate the network we collect:
Identification data: salutation, first and family name, date of birth, gender, primary and secondary nationality, country and city of residence, and photograph.
Contact data: personal email address, mobile number, preferred method of contact (email, WhatsApp, phone), and postal address where required.
Professional data: education, employer, position, biography, social-media presence, and CV.
Family data: only where the candidate voluntarily provides it as part of the application.
Application & evaluation data: responses to application questions, Masterclass evaluations, learning-group feedback, and post-event surveys.
Payment data: the information required to process Masterclass fees, annual membership renewals, and event fees. Full card numbers, CVV codes, and PINs are not stored by Mela; they are transmitted directly to our authorized payment provider over an encrypted channel.
Technical data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, referring URL, and pages visited. Collected via cookies and similar technologies for analytics, security, and site performance.
3. How We Use Your Information
To review and process membership and Masterclass applications, including assessment by the Selection Committee.
To deliver the Masterclass, chapter events, reunions, and other programs you register for.
To process payments and issue receipts for membership and program fees.
To grant access to the Global Network App, the member database, and member-only resources.
To communicate with you about your application, your membership, upcoming Mela events, scholarship opportunities, and Mela’s work.
To analyze and improve our programs, content, and website experience.
To comply with legal, accounting, tax, and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) obligations.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
We rely on the following lawful bases, depending on the context: performance of a contract (when delivering a program you have paid for); your consent (for marketing emails and optional fields such as family information); our legitimate interests in running and developing the Mela Network; and compliance with legal obligations.
5. Payment Data & Card Security
Online card payments are processed by our authorized payment service provider over an encrypted HTTPS connection using TLS 1.2 or higher and SHA-256 cryptographic algorithms. Mela uses HTTPS site-wide and has disabled the legacy TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 protocols. We accept Visa and MasterCard for online payments.
6. Sharing of Information
We do not sell personal data. We may share your information with:
Sister networks (SIBF, CELA, SEALA) — where you opt in to introductions or joint global programs.
Mela chapters in your country of residence, to enable chapter activities and member services.
Selection committee members, facilitators, and program coordinators — under confidentiality obligations and only as necessary to review applications and run programs.
Authorized service providers — payment processor, website hosting, email delivery, CRM, and analytics — strictly for the purposes of operating our services.
Partners and sponsors — only in aggregated or de-identified form, unless you have given specific consent (for example, to be considered for a scholarship from a named sponsor).
Authorities — when required by applicable law or to protect Mela’s legal rights.
7. International Transfers
Because Mela operates a regional and global network, your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence. We take reasonable steps to ensure that any such transfer benefits from appropriate safeguards.
8. Data Retention
We keep application files for as long as is necessary to manage the network (including alumni records) and to comply with our legal, accounting, and audit obligations. Payment records are retained for the period required by applicable tax and anti-money-laundering legislation. You may request earlier deletion subject to our legal-retention duties.
9. Security
We employ administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information, including HTTPS / TLS 1.2+ encryption with SHA-256 cryptography, access controls, secure hosting, regular software updates, and confidentiality obligations on all staff, facilitators, and service providers who handle personal data.
10. Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you have the right to access, correct, update, or request deletion of your personal information; to withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time; to object to or restrict certain processing; and to receive a portable copy of the data you have provided. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@melanetwork.org.
11. Cookies
Our website uses cookies to enhance browsing, remember preferences, gather analytics, and protect site security. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although some features of the site may not function correctly without them.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The revised version will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
13. Contact
Mela for Training and Education Activities
Hetten College, Office 201, Amman, Jordan
Email: info@melanetwork.org
Website: www.melanetwork.org
