Building an OSCE Youth Network in Georgia 2014

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Deadline:  31 May 2014
Open to: participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years old
Venue: June-December 2014, Tbilisi, Georgia

Description

With 57 participating States in North America, Europe and Asia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional security organization. It promotes a unique approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic / environmental and human aspects (the OSCE “three dimensions of security”). The OSCE also conducts many practical activities in various countries and offers a forum for political dialogue on a wide range of issues relating to European security.

This project aims at promoting dialogue between the OSCE and Georgian civil society, in particular youth. It is developed in partnership by the OSCE and the Helsinki Citizen’s Assembly – Georgian National Committee (hCa GNC). A number of young leaders – such as students, academics, NGO representatives – will be invited to participate in the programme which will take place in Tbilisi from June to December 2014. Participants will be expected to participate in a cycle of briefings and events to learn and actively discuss OSCE values and work on security in Europe. The objective of this initiative is to facilitate the establishment of a youth network, focussing on the OSCE, which will in the long run participate in other OSCE activities and develop initiatives related to OSCE topics.

The synopsis of the program:

  • An orientation course will be delivered by an OSCE representative to mark the official start of the project;
  • A cycle of thematic meetings will be organized. Each meeting will focus on a specific topic, relating to security in Europe. Experts from the OSCE, Georgian officials and independent experts will be invited to present and engage in discussions with participants;
  • Selected participants will be asked to contribute to various publications (the OSCE Security Community Magazine, Youth OSCE website, social networks etc.);
  • A simulation exercise of the OSCE Permanent Council (Model OSCE) will be organized in Tbilisi to conclude the cycle;
  • Three participants will be invited to participate in a study trip to Vienna.

The programme will start in June 2014 and end in December 2014. All participants will be informed in advance about the date and venue of each meeting conducted within the project. The main activities of the programme will take place in Tbilisi; some meetings may take place in other regions of Georgia.

 

Eligibility

Approximately 60 youth from across Georgia and abroad will be selected by the team representing the OSCE and hCa GNC.

Selection criteria:

  • Young leaders / activists / students / researchers / NGO members between ages 18-35;
  • Residing in Georgia or any other country / region of the OSCE area;
  • English language competency;
  • Have an interest and basic knowledge of the OSCE’s scope of work and OSCE organizations and structures;
  • High motivation to learn about the OSCE;
  • Availability to actively and regularly participate in the OSCE Youth Network and in all activities of the programme.

Participation of young people with at least 2 years’ experience and proven track record of involvement and engagement within their community (i.e. involvement in the NGO sector, student’s unions, local and national political parties, online democracy and human rights associations, political parties and NGOs) is encouraged. The participation of vulnerable and marginalized groups (minorities, people with disabilities etc.)  is encouraged as well.

Gender balance, as well as geographic diversity, variety of experiences, cultural backgrounds and organisations will be ensured.

Application

A short list will be established on the basis of the applications received. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview ahead of the final selection (including Skype-interview).

Deadline : 31 May 2014

In order to apply, register HERE   and by sending their CV to osceyouth.info@gmail.com (Please indicate in e-mail subject name/surname and OSCE YOUTH e.g: ,,Naniko Gadelia OSCE Youth’’)

All applicants will be notified of the results of the selection process by the first week of June 2014.

 

The Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program & U.S. Diversity Fellowship 2014

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Deadline: 13 June 2014 for non-US citizens. US citizens may apply on a rolling basis
Open to: practitioners and researchers with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the nonprofit/NGO/grantmaking field
Fellowship: costs of tuition, accommodation in Manhattan, economy air travel to and from New York City, and reimbursement for selected program-related costs

Description

The Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society’s Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program provides leadership training through seminars with Third-Sector practitioners, research based on best practices, and the application of a comparative framework. Fellowship awards are available for emerging leaders at community foundations, at place-based grant-making organizations and institutions that support community philanthropy.

Those interested in strengthening community philanthropy and building capacity in local Third-Sector institutions are encouraged to apply. This year’s Fellows will be selected from abroad and also from communities of color under-represented in the U.S. grant-making sector.

Fellows are based at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, where they design and pursue an individualized research project. In addition, they attend weekly seminars, explore work of key agencies and foundations, meet with nonprofit leaders and study U.S. and international community foundation models.

In addition to offering fellowship awards for the study of community foundations, the Center accepts proposals that explore other Third-Sector/civil society topics from applicants interested in participating on a tuition basis. The program will run from Monday September 22 to Friday December 12, 2014.

Eligibility

The program is open to:

  • Practitioners and researchers in the US and overseas;
  • College or university degree holders with strong spoken and written English language skills;
  • TOEFL scores or equivalent are requested from those whose education was in a language other than English.  Alternately, please provide a statement describing your facility with the English language within your professional sphere;
  • Applicants should have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in the nonprofit/NGO/grant-making field;
  • Award recipients must have a strong institutional base and be well-placed to implement research recommendations;
  • Preference is given to candidates who are 1) affiliated with a community foundation or initiatives to support community philanthropy development, and 2) who illustrate in their proposals a clear interest in furthering the work of community foundations or strengthening the local culture of philanthropy;
  • Candidates affiliated with other institutions in the philanthropy sector who submit proposals on current trends and practices in philanthropy (other than community foundations) may apply for consideration on a tuition basis or with financial support from individual or institutional sponsors;
  • Participation on a tuition basis or with financial support from individual or institutional sponsors is open to all, regardless of country of origin or residence. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements detailed above to be considered for participation on a tuition or sponsorship basis. For further details, please send an e-mail request to cpcs@gc.cuny.edu.

Fellowship

A select number of full fellowship awards are available, which cover tuition, accommodations and other program-related costs. These are earmarked for citizens of countries other than the United States or for Americans from communities under-represented in the grant-making sector.

Full fellowship awards cover the costs of tuition, single-room dormitory accommodations with shared facilities at International House (adjacent to Columbia University) in Manhattan, economy air travel to and from New York City, and reimbursement for selected program-related costs. Tuition-based or institutionally-supported appointments may also be made, pending approval by the selection committee.

Application

The deadline for non-U.S. citizens is 13 June 2014. For individuals living and working in the United States applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and may currently be submitted for review.

To apply, prospective candidates should complete and submit the online application form. Notification of application status will be made via e-mail in the week of 1 July 2014 to each individual who has submitted a complete application package (including a CV and proposal) for consideration. Should you have any questions, please send an e-mail to cpcs@gc.cuny.edu. Please indicate “ELIFP 14″ in the subject line.

For more information, please see the official website.

 

 

Volunteers needed in Thailand

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The International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is seeking forward-thinking, dynamic individuals of all ages/backgrounds to contribute to our children’s home Thailand, as part of our Work-Study Volunteer Program.

 

●Caring for kids, teaching, organising workshops/activities

●Work with our Media, Fundraising and Online Outreach teams

●Learn about poverty and development

 

Each IHF center is a product of its environment and follows the cultural code and norms of its host country, so there are different programs in each center. Our Thailand center is a home for hill-tribe children. Children from this marginalized community come to our center for a stable home and a chance for an education.

 

Your work as a volunteer with IHF will be divided between local and international tasks. Locals tasks are teaching English, and assisting with the care of our children and organising activities. There are also additional projects to help with periodically.

 

For your international tasks you will be assigned teams, made up of volunteers in all centers, and work on administrative tasks for not just the center you are staying in, but the whole organisation. Areas assigned include Online Outreach, Media and Fundraising. This is a great opportunity to experience not only the hands on, in-field side of development, but also the overall management and running of an international organization. If you are not interested in these tasks, contact us about our Voluntourist program. Some pre-trip tasks must be completed in order to gain an understanding of the kind of work you will be doing.

 

●     Fluent written and spoken English is required

●     Minimum stay is 4 weeks

●     Cost: $55 – $75 per week

●     Basic food and accommodation included

●     Cost decreases for longer stays

 

Please take the time to familiarize yourself further with our organization – www.ihfonline.org.  And  to our blog  http://ihfblog.wordpress.com/home/.

 

If you have any questions at this time, feel free to e-mail one of our helpful volunteers – volunteering@ihfonline.org .  If you’re ready to apply visit: http://www.ihfonline.org/volunteering.

 

IHF is an Inspiring Story! Check this out: http://tourism.wildasia.org/2562/pass/

 

Innovate Heritage, 6-8 June, Berlin, Germany

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International Conference and Artistic Program
Dates: June 6-8, 2014 | Berlin, Germany

Extended Deadline: May 20th, 2014

Innovate Heritage: Conversations between Arts and Heritage is based out of the World Heritage Studies program at the Brandenburgische Technische Universität (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany, will focus on exploring relationships and overlapping aspects of heritage and the arts, jumping from a foundational knowledge base in UNESCO World Heritage into an expanded, tactile, and exploratory perspective, looking at the subtexts of heritage in collaboration with the arts.

The three-day program, composed of lectures, seminars, panel discussions, exhibitions, performances, and films, creates a platform by which participants gain a stronger insight towards the nexuses between Heritage and Arts from various cultural perspectives, working practices and theoretical approaches. The Program of conference, with speakers from over 15 countries, is now available online with full schedule and biographies of speakers and artists.

The registration fee is 60 EUR per person, with a discounted fee of 40 EUR for artists and 30 EUR for students (updated fees with an additional €10 via the extended deadline).

If you are interested in attending this exciting new initiative, we invite you to complete our Online Registration for by the deadline of 20 May 2014 in order to participate in the conference proceedings and artistic program. We look forward to welcoming you to the Innovate Heritage: Conversation between Art and Heritage conference in Berlin this June!

Yours Sincerely,
Innovate Heritage Organizing Team

Innovate Heritage: Conversations between Arts and Heritage

June 6 – 8, 2014 | Berlin, Germany

Follow us on: facebook | twitter

 

SpeakOut! 2014- International Human Rights Training in Netherlands

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Deadline:  18 June 2014
Open to: participants between the ages of 18 and 32 years old, but older applicants will be considered
Venue: 25th-27th of June 2014, The Hague, Netherlands

Description

SpeakOut! 2014 is taking place in the International City of Peace and Justice – The Hague, Netherlands from June 25th to June 27th.

SpeakOut! is a unique three-day program of workshops which intends to bring together UNPO Members youth and young human rights activists to give them necessary means and skills to be effective in human rights lobbying and advocacy. The main target group of the event is youth aged 18-32, but older applicants will be considered.

The aim of SpeakOut! is to successfully train young activists to become reliable channels of human rights advocacy. With the support of interactive workshops and UNPO-designed study materials, participants will gain knowledge on effective Human Rights advocacy, United Nations tools and mechanisms, grassroots funding, and effective lobbying practices. Particularly, this year’s workshops will focus on communication and human rights, ranging from internet security to human rights campaigning.

THE EVENT OFFERS

  • – Informative Lectures with Experienced Human Rights Defenders
  • – Shared Experience Learning and Training Workshops
  • – International Human Rights Networking
  • -A Visit to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL)

The program with further information on workshops will be available soon

A participation fee of €50 is requested to cover facilitation, lunches for the three-days and publishing of training manuals (please note that the fee is not refundable).  Kindly note that UNPO is unable to arrange or fund travel and accommodation. We can recommend accommodation upon request.

All aspects of the event will be conducted in English.

Registration for the event has been opened!

(In order for participants to join the visit to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, registration and payment need to received before June 18th)

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION.

The official web-page.

 

Apply for The Global Junior Challenge 2014

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Deadline: 31 July 2014
Open to: public and private institutions and organisations, individual citizens of any age, etc.
Awards: GJC Award for poor areas; statue of the Etruscan wolf with Romulus and Remus; President of the Italian Republic Award

Description

The Global Junior Challenge is an international competition rewarding the most innovative projects employing cutting-edge ICT technologies in the field of youth education and training. The competition, promoted by the City of Rome and organized by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, is held every two years. The Global Junior Challenge takes place within the context of the e-learning programme launched by the European Commission at Lisbon to guarantee awareness of digital culture among teachers and students in schools. More precisely, the aim of the Global Junior Challenge is to encourage young generations and their teachers to use of the new technologies, exchange experiences and emulate successful initiatives.

The Global Junior Challenge is a unique opportunity for teachers and students to reflect on the significance of digital literacy, whilst exposing them with to the vast range of high quality solutions proposed by other youth from around the world.

All eligible projects must  fall in one of these categories:

  • Projects for users up to 10, 15, 18, or 29 years old;
  • Projects promoting ICT for environmental sustainability in collaboration with Legambiente;
  • Projects using ICT to train youth to obtain initial job placement;
  • Projects promoting ICT for migrants and refugees integration in collaboration with UNAOC.

Eligibility

The competition is open to everyone:

  • Individual citizens of any age;
  • Public and private companies;
  • Schools and universities, both public and private, worldwide;
  • Public and private institutions and organisations;
  • Associations, cooperatives and other non profit organisations;
  • Research Centres.

The Global Junior Challenge rewards projects in all fields of youth education, not only those addressed at schools. There is no geographical or size limitation as the Challenge welcomes everyone: from websites created by middle school students to global projects employing cutting edge technology for online training.

Awards

The Global Junior Challenge assigns three types of awards:

  1. The main GJC Award. The winning project selected from among all participants receive a statue of the Etruscan wolf with Romulus and Remus, the prestigious symbol of the foundation of the City of Rome.
  2. The President of the Italian Republic Award. The three best projects on ICT-based educational innovation presented by Italian schools will receive an award offered by the President of the Italian Republic.
  3. The GJC Award for finalist projects from poor areas of the world. Reserved to finalist projects from the poorer areas of the world that employ ICT to promote the reduction of poverty and increase social inclusion.

Application

The deadline for submission is 31 July 2014.

The project can be submitted using the following online entry form.

For further information, please visit the official website.

 

 

How Studying or Working Abroad Makes You Smarter

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Research shows that experience in other countries makes us more flexible, creative, and complex thinkers.

These are the conclusions of a growing body of research on the effects of study- and work-abroad experiences. For example: A study led by William Maddux, an associate professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD, found that among students enrolled in an international MBA program, their “multicultural engagement”—the extent to which they adapted to and learned about new cultures—predicted how “integratively complex” their thinking became.

That is, students who adopted an open and adaptive attitude toward foreign cultures became more able to make connections among disparate ideas. The students’ multicultural engagement also predicted the number of job offers they received after the program ended.

More generally, writes Maddux, “People who have international experience or identify with more than one nationality are better problem solvers and display more creativity, our research suggests. What’s more, we found that people with this international experience are more likely to create new businesses and products and to be promoted.”

Angela Leung, an associate professor of psychology at Singapore Management University, is another researcher who has investigated the psychological effects of living abroad. She reports that people with more experiences of different cultures are better able to generate creative ideas and make unexpected links among concepts.

Like Maddux, Leung found that the advantages of living abroad accrue to those who are willing to adapt themselves to the ways of their host country: “The serendipitous creative benefits resulting from multicultural experiences,” she writes, “may depend on the extent to which individuals open themselves to foreign cultures.” This openness, she adds, includes a tolerance for ambiguity and open-endedness, a lack of closure and firm answers.

Could it be that people who choose to study or work in other countries are already more inclined to be complex and creative thinkers? David Therriault, associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Florida, anticipated this possibility. He and his coauthors administered creative thinking tasks to three groups of undergraduates: students who had studied abroad, students who were planning to study abroad, and students who had not and did not plan to study abroad. The students who had actually studied abroad outperformed the two other groups in creative thinking.

Studying or working in another country can make us better thinkers—more flexible, creative, and complex—if we’re willing to adapt and learn from other cultures. As the title of an article by William Maddux advises: “When in Rome . . . Learn Why the Romans Do What They Do.”

The official Website

 

Baikal International Film Festival 2014, Russia

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Documentarians whose work addresses science and ecology can participate in an international festival.

The Baikal International Festival for documentary and popular-science films, founded by the Russian Filmmakers Union, will take place in Irkutsk, Russia, from Sept. 25-29. The festival’s theme is “People and Environment,” and it aims to foster environmental awareness through cinema.

The festival includes an international competition and other special programs. Awards will be given in the following categories: best documentary film, best popular-science film, best camerawork, best directing. A grand prize award of RUB100,000 (US$2,790) will also be given.

The deadline to submit films is May 31.

For information about last year’s festival (in English), click here. For more information about this year’s festival (in Russian), click here.

 

 

Apply for a ”Post-2015 Youth Global Strategy Meeting” in Bangkok, Thailand

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Deadline:  7 May 2014
Open to: participants from all over the world
Venue: 6-8 June 2014 | Bangkok, Thailand

Description

WHY? Young people have an important role to play in the lead up to the Post-2015 Development Agenda. For the last two years, several youth organizations and coalitions have been involved through difference consultations, UN meetings, reports and other spaces.

WHAT? Given that the new development agenda is fast approaching and the importance of mobilizing across movements and regions, the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (YCSRR) is organizing a global strategy meeting for young activists involved in the Post-2015 discussions. The purpose of the meeting will be to strategize around engagement and agenda setting across youth movements, advancing young people’s demands going into Post-2015 and building upon the inter-linkages between development issues and sexual and reproductive rights.

WHO? Young people from all regions who are involved in the Post-2015 UN Process are invited to apply. The meeting is open to young people working on sexual and reproductive rights as well as those coming from other movements. Please note that young people from the Global South will have priority.

WHEN? 6-8 June 2014 | WHERE? Bangkok, Thailand

Only one person per organization will be considered. Young people from the Global South, LGBTIQ and human rights activists as well as young activists working outside of the sexual and reproductive rights movement are strongly encouraged to apply. The meeting will be in English only; translation services will not be made available. Self-funded participants must also submit a full application. LGBTIQ activists interested in the pre-meeting SOGI training must apply to both the training and global strategy meeting to be considered.

Eligibility

In order to be considered eligible to apply, you must fulfill all of the following criteria:

  • Youth aged 18 to 29 years old;
  • Agreement with YCSRR Principles and Values;
  • Active member of an organization involved in the Post-2015 development agenda discussions;
  • Experience in the post-2015 process at the national, regional or global level.
  • Demonstrated experience in advocacy;
  • Proficient in English;
  • Committed to actively follow-up for at least 6 months, in order to implement outcome strategies;
  • Interested in Sexual and Reproductive Rights and the inter-linkages with youth movement(s) and the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Scholarships

The meeting will include both funded and self-funded participants. A limited number of scholarships will be available for participants from the Global South.

Application

All interested applicants must complete the application form by Midnight EDT on Wednesday 7 May 2014. Incomplete applications and applications received after Midnight EDT on Wednesday 7 May 2014 will not be considered.

In order to apply, register HERE.

 

Hesselbein Student Leadership Summit 2014 in Pittsburgh, USA

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Deadline: 16 May 2014
Open to: Accomplished undergraduate and entry-level graduate student leaders from college campuses across the world
Venue: 26 -29 July 2014, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Description

Join 50 top student leaders from across the world to learn how to be effective, ethical, and innovative leaders at the Student Leadership Summit in University of Pittsburgh campus, Pittsburgh, PA. Participants will work alongside distinguished mentors who will share their expertise and provide dynamic leadership training. Students will emerge from the academy with the skills and experience to excel as global leaders. The summit will take place on 26 -29 July 2014.

Eligibility

Accomplished undergraduate and entry-level graduate student (enrolled and/or have completed first year of graduate school) leaders from college campuses across the world. 

Costs

Paid registration, room, board, and up to $500 (for international students) as need dependent.

Application

Application deadline is 16 May 2014, midnight EDT. Complete the online application HERE  and upload the following attachments:

  1. One current letter of recommendation written by a university administrator (e.g. College Dean, Director of Student Life, Departmental Chair);
  2. Résumé (include GPA on résumé);
  3. One-page essay (requirements noted on application).

For more information please visit the official website HERE.