Global Change Leaders Program 2014

The Global Change Leaders Program is a seven-week education program offered by Coady Institute’s International Centre for Women’s Leadership. This program enables women from developing countries to strengthen their leadership capacities in order to contribute to innovation and change in their organizations and communities.  Program participants engage in learning grounded in real world experiences and focused on Coady’s core thematic areas. Through a shared learning environment with other emerging women leaders from around the world, participants are exposed to a range of experiences and the beginnings of a potentially lifelong network of support.

In operation since 2011, the Global Change Leaders program provides successful candidates with a full scholarship that includes tuition, travel, accommodations, and meals. Program participants also benefit from the guidance and mentorship of accomplished women leaders from around the world. The program is led by a core team of Coady International Institute staff and supported by other Coady faculty and associates.

Program Eligibility

 

This program is targeted to emerging women leaders from developing countries who are working on development issues.  These are women who:

• Possess a minimum of four years of demonstrated leadership experience in a social or economic development endeavour in sectors such as livelihoods or inclusive economic development, food security, environment, access to education and health care, governance, and the rights of girls and women;

• Have great drive and passion for their work, demonstrated through their outstanding contributions in their organizations and communities; 

• Are practitioners in civil society organizations including community based organizations and not for profits, or active in public or private institutions, donor/philanthropic agencies, social movements or in a social enterprise/business;

• Hold a university degree or a combination of post-secondary education and experience; and

• Have strong oral and written English language competencies.

Program Schedule and Components

For 2014, the Global Change Leaders Program consists of two main components:

1. August 25 - October 10, 2014:  A seven week on-site intensive course at the Coady International Institute in Antigonish, Nova Scotia where a collaborative relationship is fostered among facilitators and participants to draw out lessons and insights from their rich and diverse experiences. This consists of:

a.  A foundation module, in which participants focus on leadership theories and essential competencies, analysis of gender, citizenship and power, practical understandings of these concepts and their application for women leaders within their own contexts, strengthening capacities for social innovations, partnership building in a multi-stakeholder environment, and enhancing abilities to realize citizen-driven asset-based development.

b.  Electives, focusing on Coady Institute’s key thematic areas of promoting accountable democracies, building resilient communities and strengthening local economies.

c.  A final module,  in which participants articulate an action plan for how they will take their new learning home to provide leadership in their organizations and communities and continue to work towards empowering other women moving forward.

2. October 1, 2014 - March 31, 2015:  Participants will benefit from one-on-one mentoring from experienced women leaders upon their return home for up to six months to follow on the application of learning into practice.  Mentors and mentees will be matched during the residency period based on specific needs and geographic locations.   Participants will also join a global alumni network of women leaders.

How to Apply

Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Global Change Leaders Program.  The application deadline is January 17, 2014 at 11:59 EST. Applications will only be accepted electronically using the online form. 

In the online form, applicants are asked to provide the names, contact details and the email addresses for two persons who can provide a recommendation for the candidate.  The people named as references will receive an email from Coady’s International Centre for Women’s Leadership with a link to reference form that they can complete online. Your references will also receive an email once their form has been successfully submitted. Applicants should ensure that they have notified their referees prior to submitting their application.  Applications which do not have two references will not be reviewed.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a skype interview no later than 31 March 2014.

Costs

Global Change Leaders program provides successful candidates with a full scholarship that includes tuition, travel, accommodations, and meals. Program participants also benefit from the guidance and mentorship of accomplished women leaders from around the world.

With any questions, please contact the organizers at coady@stfx.ca. 

Read more:  http://coady.stfx.ca/themes/women/gcl/

Merit Next Leadership Development Program

This unique program will support 120 young people to develop and to use their talent in the spheres of Entrepreneurship, Business, Science & Technology, Media, Culture and Politics & Public Service through mentoring with professionals and networking with peers. It is year-long leadership development program for people of merit from around the world selected after completing a series of global challenges designed to showcase their commitment to making a positive impact in their community.

In June 2014, the Merit Next Fellows will convene in the U.K. (London & Liverpool) for two weeks of inspiration, aspiration assessment, and team building. Before departing for their home countries, the participants will be divided into 10 teams and assigned a project to find an innovative and sustainable market-driven solution to a pressing global concern (e.g., environmental sustainability, access to health care and education, childhood hunger, and youth unemployment). 

For the next 11 months, the Fellows will engage virtually in weekly project collaborations, online training and education, and one-on-one mentoring designed to support personal and professional life plans. In June 2015, the group will reconvene in the U.S. (NYC & Washington, DC) to present their final reports to a panel of entrepreneurs, executives and venture capitalists; the winning project will be highlighted in the Merit Next global media campaign.

Who Can Apply? 
Those who are complacent need not apply. At World Merit, they focus on helping emerging leaders – young people with the drive and willpower to make a difference.
This program is open to young leaders from every country and any background, based on merit.

Application
The deadline to apply is 30 April 2014.

Send your questions to usa@worldmerit.org or uk@worldmerit.org.

More information can be found HERE

International Youth Leadership Academy 2013

The 4th international training programme of IYLA will take place on 31 August- 4 September 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. The training will be conducted based on the experience and knowledge of experts and trainers from UNICEF and Habitat. The main aim of this programme is to provide young people with equal opportunities for leadership and develop their capacity to actively contribute to their own communities.

The training aims to develop the knowledge, skills and experience of the participants on human rights, youth and child rights and participation as well as more specifically on Intercultural Dialogue, Gender Equality, and Conflict Resolution. During this process, the participants will be followed by the experts and supported with various materials that will enable them to get prepared for their own leadership role in their communities.

Aims and Objectives:

The International Training Program on Youth Empowerment for Equity including a focus on the Post 2015 Agenda will have the following aims and objectives:

• To provide an equal opportunity for young people from Turkey, the Balkans, CIS and the Caucasus to exchange information and experiences on participating in civil society work and establish a network for further collaboration,
• To empower young people to take an active and effective role in advocating the rights of children and youth within their ethnic, sexual, socioeconomic or other minority/marginalized group perspective,
• To raise awareness and knowledge about social responsiblity towards children and youth,
• To equip young people with the relevant information and skills, enabling them to contribute to the post-2015 Regional Consultation,
• To share good practices and tools in the area of democracy, intercultural dialogue, gender equality, conflict resolution,
• To provide young people with negotiation skills for their effective participation
• To empower young people with the necessary leadership skills for them to outreach to other young people/children in their own communities after the training

Methodology

The training includes the following non-formal education methods:

-          Introductory sessions

-          Workshops

-          Small group discussions

-          Verbal and visual presentations

-          Role play games/simulations

-          Participation to Youth Forum

-          Feedback and evaluation sessions

Participants:

30 participants (15 international, 15 national) will be selected from countries in the Balkans, CIS and the Caucasus. Priority will be given to applications from youth belonging to or identifying with ethnic, sexual, socioeconomic or other minority/marginalized groups.

Applicants should:

• be between 15 and 30 years of age,
• represent marginalized/minority youth groups or NGO and/or be experienced in minority youth and/or child work,
• work with marginalized and disadvantageous youth and/or children,
• be willing to play an active role in the sessions,
• be able to and willing to follow the process and actively implement the activities required by the programme,
• be able to participate in training and regional consultation on post 2015
• have the opportunity to share their new knowledge, skills and contacts within their own organizations following the program,
• be committed to carrying out follow-up activities and be active in localising the knowledge,

Working Language: The language of the program will be English, with simultaneous interpretation provided in Russian and Serbo-Croatian.

Accommodation:

Travel costs, accommodation, and meals will be provided by IYLA. Full details will be sent to selected participants later.

Insurance:

Participants are requested to have their own accident, civil liability and health insurance for the duration of the seminar. Health insurance is not provided and any costs incurred will not be reimbursed by the organizers. All participants are also strongly advised to purchase private travel insurance.

Application Process:

Young people interested in participating in the International Training Program must apply online: http://uglakademi.org/IYLA_FORM.html

Candidates will be informed by 2 August, 2013 (the earliest date) whether they have been accepted, put on the waiting list or refused. Accepted candidates will receive the program documentation directly.

The 30 participants will be selected on the basis of the profile outlined above.  During the selection process, criteria will be applied to ensure a balance between genders, geographical regions, and the diversity of religions, cultures, organizations and experiences. Disabled young people are encouraged to apply.

The participant selection process will be based on a detailed application form, and letter of recommendation from the organization(s) whom the young people may be involved with. Please send your recommendation letter to ugla@habitatkalkinma.org by 26 July, 2013 17.00 (GMT+2)

Letter of Recommendation:

Your reference letter should explain how important your participation is for your community and how your NGO/ community will support you in conducting further activities or similar training in your own communities, after the IYLA summer school. 

Language of application:

You are requested to write your application in English.

Contact information:

Please feel free to contact us if you need help, have questions or need further information.

ugla@habitatkalkinma.org