Grassroots Development in a Modern Democracy

Young Armenia, Young Turkey, Young America:

Social and Economic Challenges for Future Leaders:

Grassroots Development in a Modern Democracy

Emerging Leaders Program

Program Details

Partner Organisations: Academy for Educational Development, in Washington DC/USA, in partnership with International Affairs Council of North Carolina, USA, Youth For Understanding (YFU) in Ankara/Turkey and Civic Development and Partnership Foundation, in Yerevan/Armenia are implementing the program. The funding of the program has been provided by the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

Program Description: “Young Armenia, Young Turkey, Young America: Social and Economic Challenges for Future Leaders: Grassroots Development in a Modern Democracy” is a project that will bring to the U.S. 18 Armenian and 18 Turkish emerging grassroots leaders who will work together with 18 of their U.S. counterparts to create joint community-based projects that will deepen ties between the three countries, build NGO capacity and civil society, as well as positively impact their citizenry. These grassroots initiatives will be conceptualized and developed through exchanges in the U.S., Turkey, and Armenia and continuously implemented during post-program engagement. They will share experiences and best practices, and form new links between emerging NGO leaders and organizations in the three countries.

The project will create a cadre of Armenian, Turkish, and American young professionals at the helm of local NGOs that promote the development of economic opportunities and skills for young people. Emerging grassroots leaders from Turkey and Armenia will travel to the U.S. (Phase I) for a two-week program where they will join American counterparts. After a program in Washington, DC, they will form three mixed cohorts for learning activities in three cities within North Carolina, USA. Each cohort will engage in seminars, site visits, mentoring and job shadowing to gain specific skills necessary for development of joint community-based projects. Following the U.S. program all participants will reconvene (Phase II) in Turkey, then Armenia, for continued best practices sharing and to further implement their projects, with on-site needs assessments, consultancies, and seminars. Participants will connect with each other and State Department program alumni in an ongoing conversation on broadening participation in community-based projects that reach a diverse citizenry, and engage governments and other NGO leaders. Alumni activities will support the participants and continue to build their leadership skills.

Program Period: February 1, 2011 – October 31, 2011

Program Costs: All program costs will be fully covered by the US Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

To Apply: Please check “How to Apply” menu.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 20th, 2011

• Can Apply?
• How to Apply?

U-CAN

Who Can Apply?

The applicants must:

Be between 21-35 years of age

Be active member of represented NGO

Demonstrate strong leadership skills and motivation to work in the related area in the future

Have capacity for analytical assessment of the events and processes in Turkish-Armenian –USA relations

Have a good knowledge of English (writing, speaking & reading)

Be able to participate in the program from April, 2011 though October 31, 2011 including:

o    – Participating in the pre-departure training in April 2011

o    – Participating full time in a two week program in the US, in May 2011

o    – Participating in online discussions every two weeks from May to July 2011

o    – Participating full time in a one week program in Armenia, in July 2011

o    – Participating full time in a one week program in Turkey, in July 2011

o    – Participating in any other meetings that would be scheduled as a follow-up and/or preparation

o    – Implementing a joint project with your Armenian-US counterparts as a follow-up of the project

o    – Participating in alumnus activities

Have regular internet access throughout the project

Have an interest in undertaking a joint community based project

TO APPLY, SUBMIT in ENGLISH

Complete application form

An updated CV/resume

At least two references (with contact details)

Organization Support Letter (to download the form click here)

Application form should either be filled online or as a word document to be sent by email ( u-can@yfu-turkey.org Bu e-Posta adresi istek disi postalardan korunmaktadir, görüntülüyebilmek için JavaScript etkinlestirilmelidir ) or by post (YFU Turkey 15. Sokak 1-A Emek Ankara).

To apply online click here.

If you apply online additional documents (CV-Organization Support Letter) can be sent by email or post.

To download application form as Word document click here.

APPLICATION PROCESS

February 20th: Deadline for Applications

Feb. 20th – March 15th: Interviews (face to face or online) with selected candidates

March 15th: Announcement of Final List of Participants

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 20th, 2011

http://www.yfu-turkey.org/u-can

16.02.2011