United Nations Academic Impact Student Essay Contest 2014

Posted on January 25, 2014 by RedFoxx

Deadline: 21 February 2014
Open to: full-time college or university students (18 years of age or older) from all over the world
Prize: the winners will be invited to New York to participate in a series of events June 25-29

Description

The United Nations Academic Impact is a program of the Outreach Division of the Department of Public Information. It is open to all institutions of higher education granting degrees or their equivalent, as well as bodies whose substantive responsibilities relate to the conduct of research. Its essential frame of reference is:

To bring into association with the United Nations, and with each other, institutions of higher learning throughout the world.
To provide a mechanism for such institutions to commit themselves to the fundamental precepts driving the United Nations mandate, in particular the realization of the universally determined Millennium Development Goals
To serve as a viable point of contact for ideas and proposals relevant to the United Nations mandate.
To promote the direct engagement of institutions of higher education in programs, projects and initiatives relevant to this mandate.

Principles

The United Nations Academic Impact is informed by a commitment to support and advance ten basic principles:

A commitment to the principles inherent in the United Nations Charter as values that education seeks to promote and help fulfill;
A commitment to human rights, among them freedom of inquiry, opinion and speech;
A commitment to educational opportunity for all people regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity;
A commitment to the opportunity for every interested individual to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for the pursuit of higher education;
A commitment to building capacity in higher education systems across the world;
A commitment to encouraging global citizenship through education;
A commitment to advancing peace and conflict resolution through education;
A commitment to addressing issues of poverty through education;
A commitment to promoting sustainability through education;
A commitment to promoting inter-cultural dialogue and understanding, and the “unlearning” of intolerance, through education.

For more information: http://outreach.un.org/unai/

Essay Topic:

The essay should relate to ideas of global citizenship and understanding and to the role that multilingual ability can play in fostering these. The essay should reflect your academic, cultural, and national context.

Eligibility Guidelines

Full-time college or university students, 18 years of age or older, can participate in the contest.
An authorized faculty member or university administrator must sponsor your participation in the contest by completing the form under the tab: Faculty/University Reference Form. The university representative must attest that you are a full time student and that you are going to submit an essay in an official language of the United Nations that is not your first language or language of instruction in your primary or secondary education.
Once the reference has been received and confirmed, you will be sent an email with further instructions about how to enter the contest and upload your essay.

How to Enter

Write your essay, according to the eligibility rules and guidelines.
Show your essay to a Faculty Member or University Administrator who can attest to the fact that you have followed the contest rules. Have that Faculty Member or University Administrator complete the Reference Form in support of your participation in the contest.
Once the Reference Form has been received and verified by Many Languages, One World, you will receive further information, and a link where you can complete your application and upload your essay to the contest website.
Complete your application form. Be sure to include your national identity card number or passport number showing your name as it appears on your passport or official documents. Do not submit your photo.
Upload your essay to the contest website.

Selection Process

Step 1: A language specialist will read and score your essay according to a scoring rubric. After February 21 deadline all essays will be scored and the best essays will be passed to the next stage of the competition.
Step 2: These Finalists will be invited to complete a personal interview regarding their essay. This interview will be conducted at a location in your city and you must submit your photo identification. You will be asked a series of questions and your answers will be videotaped. You must sign a waiver allowing the judges to use the videotape to select Finalists. If a local interview cannot be organized, you will be interviewed online using SKYPE.
Step 3: The essays and video tapes will be reviewed by a panel of international judges based on the scoring of Step 1 and Step 2, which include written and spoken language proficiency and the originality and quality of thought in your essay and interview.

Notification

On or before March 15 ELS Educational Services, Inc. will notify the 10 Winners for each of the six languages. Winners will receive a letter of invitation to the Many Languages, One World Global Youth Forum from ELS Educational Services, Inc. At that time winners will also receive complete rules of participation for the Global Youth Forum. Winners are required to sign a statement promising to abide by all of these, and agreeing that they will be sent home immediately if they disobey any of them. Winners will also receive detailed instructions about visa application, e-ticketing for your round trip (non- refundable) air ticket*, arrival procedures and the agenda of the Youth Forum which will take place from June 25th-29th 2014.

*No e-ticket will be issued until the winner’s signed statement has been received by Many Languages, One World.

Contest Rules:

The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), in collaboration with ELS Educational Services, Inc., (ELS) invites students, 18 years of age or older, who are enrolled in a full-time course of study at a college or university, to participate in an essay contest on the theme “Many Languages, One World.”

The essay should relate to ideas of global citizenship and understanding and to the role that multilingual ability can play in fostering these. Entries of up to 2000 words in length must be in an official language of the United Nations that is not the entrant’s first language or language of instruction in his or her primary or secondary education. The official languages of the United Nations are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Entries must be uploaded to the website ManyLanguagesOneWorld.ELS.edu by February 21, 2014. An institutional representative will have to attest that the entrant is a student of the institution, in good standing, and that the essay is in an official language of the United Nations that is not the entrant’s first language or language of instruction in his or her primary or secondary education and is the original, unaided work of the entrant.

A panel of judges will decide upon a total of sixty student winners of the competition—10 in each of the six languages. The winners will be invited to New York in 2014 to participate in a series of events between June 25 and June 29, 2014. These events will include a Global Youth Forum on the 10 principles of the United Nations Academic Impact, multilingualism and global citizenship at the United Nations Headquarters, preceded by a preparatory students’ conference. Sightseeing and recreation will also be arranged by ELS.

All winners will be given certificates of participation by ELS, signifying they have won the Student Essay Contest arranged in cooperation with the United Nations Academic Impact.

ELS will pay for roundtrip economy class fares in carriers of its choosing between the commercial airport nearest the winner’s home city and New York, and be responsible for the winner’s travel, room and meals from their arrival on June 25th until their departure on June 29th, 2014. No extensions of stay or early arrivals will be possible. Winners are responsible for all documentation relating to their journey, including passports and visas and the costs related to these, as well as appropriate medical insurance for their journey and stay in the United States.

It is your responsibility to obtain a passport and visa to enter the USA. You will be required to comply with the rules and regulations of participation in the event. Your e- ticket will only be issued to you after we receive copies of your passport and a signed copy of your acceptance of the terms and conditions of participation.

ELS Educational Services, Inc. will sponsor this event. Any student who violates the terms of participation will be expelled from the Youth Forum and will be sent home immediately.

While the entrants shall retain the rights to their essays, by participating in the contest they grant ELS and the UN a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-free, and irrevocable license to use the content of the essays in whole or in part. In addition, the winners grant ELS permission to photograph, record, and videotape all activities during the conference. These recordings and photographs will become the property of ELS for didactic use at their discretion, in all media, in perpetuity, to promote multilingualism and global understanding. The winners also grant the United Nations permission to photograph, record, and videotape all activities during the conference. These recordings and photographs will become the property of the United Nations.

For more details visit the official website HERE.

Would you like to be a volunteer in Iceland ?

Posted on January 24, 2014 by RedFoxx

Description

SEEDS is an Icelandic non-governmental, non-profit organization with international scope. Their main field of activities is related to the promotion of cultural understanding through the work on nature-oriented, outdoors and environmental issues. SEEDS, aims at promoting respect for cultural diversity, mutual understanding and environment protection through activities which empower, promote and aid people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. SEEDS provides them possibilities and opportunities to live, study, experience, exchange, research and work together.

Based on real projects as exchanges, international camps, research activities, on-field work, voluntary service, educational programmes, seminars, SEEDS gives space, time and room to the participants in the activities to face challenging situations, which will enable them to broaden their perspectives, own opinions and positions about themselves. It is also important the environment they are living in and their active role in the future development of the world in terms of peace, tolerance, cross-cultural learning and environmental sustainability.

SEEDS is a member of the Icelandic National Youth Council (LÆF), the Icelandic Environment Association (LANDVERND), the Senior European Volunteers Exchange Network (SEVEN) and works actively as partner organisation of the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations (The Alliance) and the Service Civil International (SCI). SEEDS relies on a dynamic office, with five paid employees and its board members; the office also hosts interns to support the administrative work. At the moment, the team is composed by eight individuals.

Eligibility

The call is open for young people aged between 18 and 30. Volunteers are selected regardless of their background. Volunteers applying for this project must have a motivation for working with international groups; an interest in environmental and sustainability issues might be useful when developing activities for the groups. Volunteer’s enthusiasm and interest in order to engage with people, to work in teams but also willingness to accept personal responsibilities are highly appreciated. A readiness to work with flexibility in changing or developing situations is essential, as well as an ability to occasionally work in high-pressure situations.

English language skills are of advantage. Ethnic groups, religion, sexual orientation or political opinion are not taken into account.

Benefits

The organization provides accommodation, food, pocket money, health insurance and 90% of expenses of the round-trip.

Application

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2014.

If you are interested in any or some of the projects and the period of time suits you, please send via email before the deadline to evs@seeds.is, all the following documents in English:

Curriculum Vitae
Specific motivation letter for the project
Filled form with a summary of your data and SEEDS questionnaire with additional questions. Click here to download it.

Applications will only be considered if the 3 documents are received fully completed. If you have applied for SEEDS projects in the past, please notice that the questionnaire has slightly changed. Please state clearly which project(s) you are applying for, your preference and availability of time.

For more information, please visit the official website.

Model United Nations Göttingen‏, Germany

Posted on January 24, 2014 by RedFoxx

Deadline: 15^th of February 2014
Open to: University students all over the world
Venue: 20th-23^rd June 2014 , Georg- August University of Göttingen, Germany

Description

The application for Chairpersons has just opened! Join the Secretariat of the 6th edition of the GöMUN from 20th to 23rd of June 2014 and do not miss the chance to be part of an amazing team!

The GöMUN takes place in Göttingen, a wonderful little university town in the middle of Germany. As the university of Göttingen has over 26 000 students, many of them from all over the world, our MUN is very popular and international. If you want to be part of that cosmopolitan atmosphere apply now!

The theme of our 6th edition is “Security or liberty – a decision to make?” and the simulated committees will be the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Economic and Social Council.

In order to be selected, the following criteria will be considered:
• university student;
• excellent command of the English language;
• relevant MUN experience or participation in similar simulations

The application should contain a motivation letter, the committee you apply for including one topic proposal, as well as your CV. Please submit your application tosecretariat@munsg.de as pdf files, before Saturday, February 15th at 12.00 CET.

We look forward to meeting you

Nadja Taeger and Thomas Michaelis
Secretaries-General of GöMUN 2014

Eligibility

• university student;
• excellent command of the English language;
• relevant MUN experience or participation in similar simulations

Application

The application should contain a motivation letter, the committee you apply for including one topic proposal, as well as your CV. Please submit your application to secretariat@munsg.de as pdf files, before Saturday, February 15th at 12.00 CET.

7th Summer Institute in Economic Geography Frankfurt

Posted on January 24, 2014 by RedFoxx

Deadline: 7 February 2014
Open to: active young researchers from around the world
Venue: 20-26 July 2014 in Frankfurt, Germany

Description

The Summer Institute represents a unique approach to advanced graduate training and early-career professional development for those entering the field of economic geography, oriented to the highest standards of international practice. By bringing together a group of active young researchers from around the world and a small group of internationally renowned faculty, the Summer Institute seeks to make a distinctive contribution to the ongoing development and social and intellectual “reproduction” of the subdiscipline, complementing existing graduate training and faculty mentoring programs.

The Summer Institute seeks to invigorate discussions across the community of economic geographers concerning enduring issues like ethics and research methods, while constructively ventilating contemporary controversies and debates in this fast-moving field. And it has actively facilitated network-building and mutuality of respect and understanding amongst the rising generation of economic geographers, many of whom made a transition into successful careers in the universities and beyond.

Since its inaugural meetings in Wisconsin in 2003 and Bristol in 2004, the Summer Institute has moved to a biannual cycle. The Summer Institute is open to advanced doctoral students (usually after the fieldwork stage), postdoctoral researchers, and recently appointed faculty (normally within 3 years of initial continuing appointment) from around the world.

Goals

Now firmly established in practice, the goals of the Summer Institute in Economic Geography are:

to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the innovatory developments and continuing challenges in the field of economic geography, broadly defined;
to facilitate more effective communication, lateral learning and innovation, and mutual appreciation across what has become diverse field, in methodological, theoretical, geographical, and substantive terms;
to enable the growth of collaborative and professional networks for early-career economic geographers, across an international peer group;
to support the internationalization of research/research training in economic geography; and
to complement and add value to extant programs of graduate training/early-career mentoring.

The Summer Institute provides a unique opportunity to investigate—in a residential workshop setting—a series of leading edge theoretical, methodological, and research-practice issues across the field of economic geography, along with a range of associated professional and career development matters. The program deliberately leaves a certain amount of space for unstructured interactions, while featuring a wide array of formal sessions on topics, ranging from interrogation of emergent literatures and current debates to the evaluation of innovative methodological approaches, and from skills development in areas like grant applications and journal publishing to the consideration of economic-geography careers inside and outside the academy.

Philosophy

The following approach has been developed and refined through previous meetings of the Summer Institute:

A “catholic” view of economic geography is adopted, building upon its strength as a variegated field which spans everything from regional science to feminism and Marxism. The Summer Institute does not have an “editorial” position, but seeks instead to open up dialogues across the field (and indeed into cognate disciplines like Sociology, Economics, Urban Planning, Anthropology, Development Studies, and Political Science—all of which have been represented at previous meetings). The Summer Institute does not attempt to impose a particular intellectual project or favored methodology, but seeks instead to work within and strengthen subdisciplinary traditions of vigorous pluralism.
A singular and sustained focus is placed on the needs and interests of the “rising generation” of early-career economic geographers, those who will make the field their own in the coming years, the intention being to facilitate mutual understanding across this variegated field; to enable emerging scholars to build networks, nationally and internationally; and to augment research capacity.
There is an emphasis on the continued internationalization of economic geography, both as a community of practitioners and as a field of research practice.
In contrast to the hurried and pressurized format of conventional, large-scale conferences, the Summer Institute seeks to establish relationships and extended conversations, reflected in (a) its format as a 6-day meeting, involving time for “off-program” conversations (e.g. during evening or social events, and during field trips) and (b) the practice of combining conventional research presentations with a range of alternative session formats (such as roundtable discussions, “practicals” on proposal writing and the deconstruction of syllabi, Q&A sessions with journal editors, etc.). In other words, the Summer Institute is not “just another conference.”

Program

The Summer Institute occupies a previously unfilled niche in organizational terms, meeting a need for a relatively small, extended meeting oriented to early-career researchers, in which there are a range of opportunities for deliberation, reflection, and sustained discussion. The program of activities includes:

Plenary presentations from each of the featured contributors, typically focused on major debates or advances in the field or reflections on the economic geography research “process” itself (embracing issues research design, ethics, access, dissemination, links with non-academic interests and constituencies, and so forth).
Thematic discussions, debates, and conversations, dealing with major issues confronting economic geography, including defining the “boundaries” of economic geography; the relationship between economic geography and its sister disciplines; questions of social and policy relevance; and methodological training in quantitative and qualitative research.
Skills-based sessions on writing for journals, successful grant applications, working with the media, and combining academic and consultancy or policy research, and teaching economic geography. Featured speakers at the Summer Institutes possess broad experience of publishing and journal editing, of writing and evaluating research proposals, of working and teaching in various institutions and national “systems,” and of different kinds of research practice.
A day-long fieldtrip provides an opportunity for participants to spend some time outside the seminar room, getting to know their host region.

Eligibility

The Summer Institute is open to:

Currently registered doctoral students (excluding those in the first year of study).
Postdoctoral researchers in universities, public and private organizations, research centers, think tanks, and NGOs.
Recently appointed faculty/lecturers in temporary or permanent positions (normally within 3 years of initial appointment).
Other young researchers with an active interest in economic geography, broadly defined, and those new to the field. Applications from researchers in cognate fields are welcomed, and broad international participation is especially encouraged. Participation at Summer Institute meetings is limited to around forty. Selection decisions are made by an international panel.

Costs

Local costs are covered; travel assistance available. The Summer Institute has benefited from the support of Economic Geography since its inception. Financial support from the National Science Foundation, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Hallsworth Fund at Manchester University, the Office of UBC’s Vice President for Research, Sage Publications, Worldwide Universities Network and the University of Zurich is gratefully acknowledged.

Application

Applying to attend the Summer Institute

Applications are adjudicated by an international selection panel.

Application forms for the Frankfurt Summer Institute are available here.

Closing date for applications is February 7, 2014.

For further information, please visit the official website.

Call for applications | International Summer School 2014, Kazakhstan

Posted on January 24, 2014 by RedFoxx

Deadline: 12 May 2014
Open to: international students who meet the requirements for Summer School
Venue: 21 July – 8 August 2014, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Description

At the KIMEP University International Summer School, you will take classes in business, law, or the social sciences taught by distinguished international faculty. You will meet the people of Kazakhstan, as well as dozens of other international students. We offer 12 courses taught by prominent visiting and KIMEP faculty. You can earn 3 credits (6 ECTS) and a certificate from KIMEP.

9th – LARGEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
ALMATY – Rich and diverse range of social, cultural and sports activities…

British portal The Rough Guide has rated cities worth visiting in 2014. Almaty city is among top 10: “It’s no longer the capital (that title went to Astana in 1997) but Almaty remains Kazakhstan’s most alluring city. Its setting along the old Silk Road, with rippling mountains all around, is as exotic as they come. Add this to the recent economic boom, which has seen luxury brands pumping millions into new developments.” Almaty hosted The 2011 Asian Winter Games and the nearby mountain resorts (skating ring Medeo, ski resort Chymbulak) and nature beauty (lakes, canyon, sandy dunes…) draw tourists from all over the world.

Do you dream of having a unique story to tell? Of going somewhere exotic, off the beaten track? What if you could combine this adventure with all the comfort of living in a modern, cosmopolitan city? If this sounds like you – we encourage you to choose KIMEP University in Almaty, Kazakhstan as your exchange program destination!

Along with the high standard of our academic programs, you will experience the unforgettable environment of our diverse student body and faculty, our unique cultural atmosphere, and a picturesque panorama of mountains, steps, forests, valleys, and deserts – all in one place! An exchange period at KIMEP will enable you to gain valuable international experience, make new friends, and study Kazakh, Russian and other languages.

You can choose one semester for study abroad at KIMEP University or stay for two, and you have the freedom to take courses from across our undergraduate and master programs, following prerequisites requirements. Our campus offers a world-class library and research resources. Student life is dynamic and varied – you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with Kazakhstani and international students and faculty and participate in extracurricular activities of every sort!

List of courses for the International Summer School 2014

“Central Asia and the Silk Road of the 21st century”

Eligibility

international students who meet the requirements for Summer School

Tuition

The transactions from outside Kazakhstan can be made only in USD, EURO, BP. Plus bank transaction and conversion fees*.
The transactions from Kazakhstan can be made from local banks. Students from outside KIMEP will pay the regular non degree price (for one 3 credit course): KZT 119,250 for Bachelor students and KZT 172,020 for Master students. Adult learners (older 21 years) will pay KZT 86,010.
All students will be provided by a place in the dormitory on campus. The dormitory fee varies from KZT 17,500 to 22,500 .

Scholarships (cover tuition and dormitory fees)
• 1 full scholarship (1 class) for Kazakhstani bachelor student from outside KIMEP University
• 1 full scholarship (1 class) for CentralAsian bachelor student (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan)
• 2 full scholarships (1 class) for international bachelor students from outside CentralAsia
• 1 full scholarship (1 class) for international graduate student from outside CentralAsia

You need:
• To have GPA above 3.3;
• To write and send an essay on topic “Why Summer School in Kazakhstan?”, describing motivation to be a student of KIMEP International Summer School 2014;
• To send a certificate proving your outstanding extra-curricular activities (sport, music, dance, public life, hobbies, etc.)
Please apply online and send all scholarship application documents to iss@kimep.kz, subject: “ISS 2014 ScholarshipApplication”.

Application

The Admission deadline is 12 may 2014, classes start on 21 July 2014.

These rules apply to non-KIMEP students that want to enter KIMEP’s International Summer School:
Applicants will be waived from entrance exams.
They will apply as non-degree students for the International Summer School only. In order to apply for the International Summer School 2014, students should send the following documents:

• ISS 2014 Application form
• Scanned copy of passport / identity card
• Scanned copy of transcript from the university in which you are currently enrolled
• Applicants who are currently not enrolled at any university need to send a scanned copy of their diploma and transcript.

All applicants should have sufficient level of English (corresponding to IELTS > 5.5 or other certificates or proves) to be able to participate in classes.

The completed application package should be sent to International Relations Office by email: iss@kimep.kz.

For more information, application form, visa Almaty and Kazakhstan please check the KIMEP web-site at
www.kimep.kz/international/about/iss

For any questions please contact: iss@kimep.kz.

All expenses paid – Summer Institute for Youth in USA !

Posted on January 21, 2014 by RedFoxx

Deadline: 1 April 2014
Open to: students from over 30 countries in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Eurasia and the U.S.
Venue: North Apartments at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Description

The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute for Youth (or BFTF for short)! BFTF is a unique and exciting program initiated and funded by the U.S. Department of State, and hosted by Wake Forest University. As you enjoy your stay in the U.S. and explore American culture and politics you will learn about the opportunities and challenges of civil society. You will gain insight and the knowledge that, combined with your own experiences, will equip you well for leadership and activist roles. We have a web site that features orientation material, information on planning your trip, what you need to bring with you, pictures of the BFTF staff and other information you can use before you leave and after you return home

Where Will You Be?

You will be housed in North Apartments at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Winston-Salem is a community of 200,000, approximately five hours from Washington DC, nestled between the mountains to the west and 3 hours to the beach in the east.

What Will You Do?

Many different activities and workshops have been planned, but it certainly won’t be all work and no play. You will have time to explore or just chill out, however, everyone is expected to participate in all of the planned activities. Our schedule will be full. There will be classes and dialogues around certain topics as well as several small group intensive projects and exciting trips to several great locations, including Washington DC and Philadelphia, PA. There will also be opportunity for the students in North Carolina to experience some local culture as well. There will be local trips to baseball games, music concerts and parks.

What are BFTF’s Goals for You?

Interact with other students and staff in the program
Explore American culture and politics
Cooperate with your peers in order to solve problems, including transatlantic misunderstandings
Understand how young people interact with the media, both as consumers and producers of information
Understand how freedom of expression imposes both rights and responsibilities on citizens
Take a leadership role as community activists with an increased sense of self-worth and confidence in your ability to effect positive change
Develop your skills of advocacy, negotiation, critical thinking and leadership

How Will You Do This?

In order to allow you maximum choice in pursuing your interests, several different programs have been created. You will have the opportunity to participate in at least three different programs during the course of your visit, including a program on public advocacy.

So What Will You Do With This When You Get Home?

You won’t be left wondering what all this has to do with your life back home. That’s the whole point really, for you to be able to apply your experiences and gained knowledge when you go back home. During the Institute there will be discussions focusing on follow-on projects and a continuing discussion from your fellows when you return home. You can assume your role as a youth leader, as soon as you step off the plane!

Eligibility

During the program you will have a chance to interact with over 45 other students from over 30 countries in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Eurasia and the U.S. For ten days you will be staying at the home of an American family, which will provide you with a great opportunity to experience American culture up-close.

Participating countries

Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States

Costs

All costs are funded by the U.S. Department of State

Application

The deadline for applications is 1 April 2014.

Click for the 2014 US Fellows Application Form.

For further information, please visit the official website.

Scholarships from Northwest Minnesota Womens Fund

Posted on January 21, 2014 by RedFoxx

Focusing on women’s Initiatives, leadership and philanthropy to build successful communities, the Women’s Fund believes that women have a vital role in the social and economic stability of the region.

Mission: The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund develops resources and serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life for women and girls.

Vision: The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund envisions a region where women and girls reach their full potential.

Learn about grants and scholarships, Community Builders and the NW Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame here

FUNDS – Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund

Supports activities, projects, services or programs that improve the quality of life and strengthening and empowerment of women and girls in the region.

Northwest Minnesota Women’s Scholarship Fund

Supports scholarships for women who reside within the 12 counties of the region who are pursuing a degree at one of the following public higher learning institutions: Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls and East Grand Forks, the University of Minnesota Crookston or the White Earth Tribal College

University of Minnesota Crookston Women’s Scholarship Fund

Supports scholarships for women who reside within the 12 counties of the region who are pursuing a degree at the University of Minnesota, Crookston

Delta Kappa Gamma-Mu Chapter Myrtie Hunt Scholarship Fund

Supports scholarships for qualified women in their junior or senior year at a college or university with a preference for careers in education and for students enrolled at Bemidji State University

Goals:

Develop and provide resources to serve as a catalyst for improving the quality of life for women and girls.
Provide support for programs and activities that lead to a safer environment for all women.
Build networks of women in leadership positions throughout the region.
Establish regional partnerships to develop entrepreneurial and economic opportunities for women.
Recognize women at all life stages for their contributions to family, organizations, community and the region.
Encourage and equip women and girls to achieve their full potential.

History & Impact

Since the 1997 establishment of the Women’s Fund, major accomplishments have been achieved:

Built total net assets of nearly $300,000 for the Women’s Fund endowment
Made 38 grants through the Women as Resources Grant Program totaling over $45,000
Awarded 7 scholarships since 2008 to female students attending regional schools.
Recognition of 33 women from throughout the region as outstanding Community Builders for their contributions as mentors, leaders and for professional excellence.
Co-sponsorship of the Opening Celebration to Women’s History Month with the Bemidji State University Women’s Studies Program, presenting historical programs about women’s accomplishments and contributions to society, including partnership of the Northwest Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame. To date, 23 women have been selected for induction into the Hall, which is permanently displayed in the A.C. Clark Library on campus.

Check this out – Youth Engaged for Change Website

Posted on January 21, 2014 by RedFoxx

Youth Engaged for Change
Youth Engaged 4 Change is an extension of FindYouthInfo.gov created to encourage young people to shape programs, policies, and services that affect them; promote meaningful partnerships; share federal resources; and connect youth and young adults to opportunities funded by the federal government.

Take Action! | International Youth Meeting Turkey 2014

Posted on January 20, 2014 by RedFoxx

Deadline: 10 February 2014
Open to: any NGO / NGO-people who is working in the fields of human rights, democracy and United Nations in general.
Venue: in April 2014 and will take 3 days in Istanbul, Turkey

Description

The basic goal of the campaign is to promote global awareness that UNSC structure should be further democratized (and reflect the current situation of the world rather than post-WW2 period) as well as to pave the way for the abolition of veto rights. Within the scope of the BiggerThanFive campaign, the Project application was submitted to The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Turkish Republic and the funding for the initial step, International Youth Meeting, was provided. The Youth Meeting will bring together youth civil organizations with similar sensitivity about the veto right from 30 leading countries including the members of UNSC. Institutional representation will be considered important. Ultimately, the civil society network created at the end of the meeting will lobby for BT5. Global and local actions will be arranged together. Awareness activities will be carried out coordinately. Transportation and accommodation expenses will be covered by the Project budget. The meeting will be held in İstanbul, in April 2014 and will take 3 days, first day for welcoming, second for the event and third for the press meeting and sightseeing.

The meeting will be attended by globally known artists, politicians and opinion leaders. During the meeting, common discourse and shared agenda will be formed with the participating NGOs. As a result of the project, the action plan for “Bigger than five campaign” will be completed. The action plan will include activities, division of roles for contractors and campaign agenda. If you would like to support the campaign and attend to the meeting, please fill in the form attached and reply to this e-mail no later than 10th February 2014. Since we have limited seats for each participant country, we have to process a selection procedure among the whole applicants. The results will be e-mailed to each applicant and the list of participants will be announced through our website on 3rd March 2014.

Eligibility

The ideal candidate is any NGO / NGO-people who is working in the fields of human rights, democracy and United Nations in general. The essential point is to think that the current system of UNSC is not a democratic one and the veto right of the permanent 5 is unfair! NGOs and NGO-people who think that this current system of UNSC needs to be democratized and the veto rigth of the permanent 5 is to be abolished are welcome!

Costs

Transportation and accommodation expenses will be covered by the Project budget.

Application

The deadline for applications is 10 February 2014.

If you would like to support the campaign and attend to the meeting, please fill in the form below. Since we have limited seats for each participant country, we have to process a selection procedure among the applicants. The results will be e-mailed to each applicant and the list of participants will be announced on our website on 3rd March 2014.

You are expected to fill in all the fields.

For further information and application, please visit the official website.

Jan. 31, 2014 deadline – Summer Trainee Program at Google

Posted on January 20, 2014 by RedFoxx

Summer Trainee Program at Google

Deadline: 31 January 2014
Open to: students who have completed the first year of their university studies by summer of 2014, enrolled at a university within Europe and Israel
Remuneration: not specified

Description

Google aspires to be an organization that reflects the globally diverse audience that their search engine and tools serve. They believe that in addition to hiring the best talent, a diversity of perspectives, ideas and cultures leads to the creation of better products and services.

Google is invested in increasing the number of future computer scientists and software developers, particularly those who are historically underrepresented in the field. Many aspiring computer scientists could benefit from a program that bridges the gap between academic study and a professional internship. Google wants to inspire these students to continue in the field with such a program.

This summer trainee program includes:

Software Project: A 12-week development project that you will work on with a team of Googlers and other STEP Interns. Skills-Based Training: Enhance your coding skills; get exposed to new tools and programming languages.
Professional Development: Attend ongoing technical talks by senior Googlers, additionally, learn how to enhance your resume, tackle technical interviews, and improve your presentation skills.
Mentorship: Be matched with a Google engineer, other than your manager, to guide you through your summer experience.
Fun: Social activities, community building and networking. Build a relationship with your peers.
Exposure: A unique glimpse into applying your computer science studies in a professional environment.

Responsibilities:

Research, conceive and develop software applications to extend and improve on Google’s product offering.
Contribute to a wide variety of projects utilizing natural language processing, artificial intelligence, data compression, machine learning and search technologies.
Collaborate on scalability issues involving access to massive amounts of data and information.
Solve all problems that come your way

There will be STEP cohorts in five offices this year: Israel, London, Munich, Krakow and Zurich.

Eligibility

Google announces that the 2014 STEP internships in EMEA is now open to students who have completed the first year of their university studies by summer of 2014 and are studying computer science or related subjects. International students who are currently enrolled at a university within Europe and Israel are eligible to apply. If hired, students will need to provide Google with proof of authorization to work in the relevant country. You must be available between 30th June and 19th September 2014.

Application

Start and submit your application HERE. A complete application includes resume, transcript (unofficial is acceptable) and evidence of a website or application you have created. This application will close on Friday, 31 January 2014.

Read the official call HERE.