Commonwealth Young Leaders Exchange, UK and Sri Lanka

Dare2Lead in partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council is looking to recruit 7 young leaders from the UK to engage in an exciting exchange with fellow Sri Lankan Youth Leaders. This programme is truly youth led, being devised and run by young people both in the UK and Sri Lanka.

Background:
Young people make up some 60% of the Commonwealth, yet most youth in many countries still don’t feel they are getting the voice they deserve. Following 130 young leaders gathering in Perth, Western Australia in October 2011 for the Commonwealth Youth Forum, a range of new ideas, partnerships and projects were forged. One of which was this innovative exchange.

The exchange will:

• be a two-way visit between young leaders in each country who are non-political and
are engaged in youth clubs/ democracy/ leadership
• Raise awareness of Commonwealth values (such as mutual respect, democracy,
human rights, youth empowerment, peace and fairness) and youth’s role in these
• Enable cultural understanding - both national cultures and respective youth cultures
• Inform young leaders on how youth have a voice in another country and strengthen
the relations among young leaders in both countries
• Equip participants with the ideas, motivation and skills to take social action
• Explore youth issues with a view to CHOGM and CYF being hosted in Sri Lanka in 2013
• Develop further leadership skills so the participants will more effectively represent
and engage their peers in the future

The exchange will have a packed itinerary including skills development training, visits to respective legislatures, meeting Parliamentarians, visiting youth NGOs and participate in grassroots cultural community programmes.

Selection Criteria:

• 18 – 26 years old
• Ability to work in a team and on own initiative
• Ability to communicate with a diverse range of people
• Experience of working with young people in some capacity
• Engaged in youth democracy, advocacy or communicating with young people
• Experience of working on one or some of the following areas: Human Rights, youth
  empowerment, equality, peace, health or business and enterprise
• Understanding of international development issues
• Experience of facilitating workshops/ leading training sessions

You must be:

• Able to attend a training weekend on 24th-25th March 2012
• Able to travel to Sri Lanka for approx 1 week in April 2012
• Commit to hosting Sri Lankan counterparts in September (dates to be confirmed)

Selected UK Youth Leaders will have a duty to host and lead the return visit when the Sri Lankans come to the UK in September. Participants selected must strictly commit to this.

Costs
A participant contribution of £400 will be requested of each participant ahead of the visit in April. This can be achieved through fundraising, sponsorship or a one-off payment and will enable effective training and team building. All other costs will be paid for by the programme including international travel, accommodation, food, resources and insurance. Any passport/visa and health requirements should be sorted by participants'.

How to Apply?
Please send us no more than one page of A4 responding to the following areas and recognising the above criteria:

• Why you think young people need to be active citizens around the world?
• What skills and experience you offer?
• What you think you will get out of taking part?
• How will you raise awareness of youth-led development and international issues to
other young people across the UK?

Please also attach a copy of your CV in support of your application. If you don’t have a full CV, please include more information on your experience (academic, personal, voluntary or career) relevant to this role.

Deadline for all applications is Friday 20th January 2012. Successful applicants will be notified shortly after.

All applications should be sent to Roda Aden at mail@cyec.org.uk

Applications received after 12noon on January the 20th sadly will not be accepted.